Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
PRESS RELEASE: CONFERENCE ON POVERTY AND INEQUALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA, MIDRAND CONFERENCE CENTRE, MIDRAND, GAUTENG, 12 JUNE 1998
On Friday 12 June 1998 over two hundred delegates are expected to attend a conference in Midrand on poverty and inequality that has been organised by the office of the Deputy President.
The conference will focus on the Report on Poverty and Inequality in SA that had been compiled by an independent team of researchers. The Conference would give all sectors of our society an opportunity to make a contribution on how government should take forward the recommendations contained in the Report.
Those invited include non-governmental organisations, trade unions, the religious sector, business organisations, academics, political parties and government departments. A large number of Cabinet Ministers will be present to speak to the issues affecting their portfolios. The Ministers who would be present and make inputs include the Ministers for Welfare and Population Development, of Health, of Public Works, of Housing, of Finance and of Water Affairs and Forestry.
As stated in the Poverty and Inequality Report (PIR), which was released in Cape Town on 14 May 1998, the Government is committed to the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality. However, the question of how best to achieve this remains unresolved. Government looks forward to the contribution of the participants who would attend the conference.
In order to give structure to the Conference and facilitate discussion, the following key focus areas or policy clusters will be addressed at the conference:
The detailed programme is attached.
For more information on the conference contact Mr. Anton Fisher at 082 807 6641.
CONFERENCE ON POVERTY AND INEQUALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA, MIDRAND CONFERENCE CENTRE, MIDRAND, GAUTENG, 12 JUNE 1998
REGISTRATION: 09:30 - 10:00
First Session 10:00 - 12:30
Chairperson: Minister of Finance, Mr. Trevor Manuel
10:00 - 10:30 Opening Address by the Minister of Public Works, Mr Jeff Radebe
10:30 - 11:15 Presentation of the Report on Poverty and Inequality in SA (PIR) by Julian May and Renosi Mokate
11:15 - 12:00 Government Response to the Report by the Minister for Welfare and Population Development, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi.
12:00 - 13:00 Questions for Clarification and Discussion (In Plenary). The session would be structured around five
Lunch 13:00 - 14:00
Second Session 14:00 - 15:30
Chairperson: Minister of Housing, Ms S D Mthembi-Mahanyele.
Ministers would respond to questions and preceding discussion. Their responses would also be structured around the five broad themes indicated above.
Tea 15:30 - 16:00
Third Session 15:30 - 16:00
Chairperson: Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Prof, Kader Asmal.
15:30 - 16:00 Way Ahead- Dr. Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma