5 April 2000
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY
MR MF CASSIM (IFP) TO ASK THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT:
Whether the Government is sponsoring, aiding or encouraging new opportunities for a public inquiry or national conference at which the legacy of apartheid can be dealt with in an open and systematic manner; if not, why not; if so, what opportunities for the (a) public in general and (b) legislatures in particular?
REPLY The legacy of apartheid will remain with us for a long time as we rebuild our nation and deepen democracy. The main thrust of Government's policies and programmes, since 1994 have been to address and overcome this problem.
No one can pretend that apartheid never existed. It is a legacy that is still with us and still informs the consciousness of most people in this country. No members of our society therefore should have an attitude against steps being taken to confront this legacy of our past.
The government will continue to encourage an open and systematic examination of that the legacy of apartheid. In this regard components which includes amongst other, the anti-racism conference that will be held later in the year under the auspices of the Human Rights Commission will be an important tool.
What we should note is that a discussion on the legacy of apartheid cannot and should not be conducted as a once off event. It is an ongoing discussion that has been on the South African agenda since the introduction of the colour bar, although at that stage it was discussed in the context of the struggle against racial discrimination. Since April 1994 the debate has been about entrenching a culture of non-racialism and democracy and this debate is ongoing. Members are encouraged to make specific proposals to take the discourse forward.
MS NGW BOTHA (ANC) TO ASK THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT:
Whether the Government still considers it necessary to pursue its policies of black Empowerment and affirmative action six years after the first democratic election; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, why?
REPLY
Government does consider it necessary to pursue its policies of black Empowerment and affirmative action six years after the first democratic elections.
The majority of South Africans were denied the right to participate meaningfully in the economic destiny of our country for much longer than six year. If we forget or underplay the impact that this had on their lives and their prospects, we turn the debate on human rights into a theoretical and academic one that bears no real meaning to the reality that confronts many in our society on a daily basis. For these reasons, government will continue to encourage and support initiatives that seek to redress the existing imbalance.
Merely declaring that all South Africans have equal rights cannot, on its own redress the imbalances of the past. The lack of skills and capacity of Black people is a legacy that is being felt most keenly in our efforts and will be with us for some time. It is imperative on government to formulate programmes to bring people up to the level where they are able to participate in the economy of the country on an equal footing. Those who complain are invariably those who did not feel the pain of being excluded from full economic participation in the past and must accept that steps need to be taken to ensure economic equality in our country.
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION TO ASK THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT:
1) Whether the Statement made by the Minister of Safety and Security to the effect that the support and co-operation of the Opposition in respect to fight crime is not required and that the Government is in a position to fight crime on its own, reflects government policy; if so what progress has the Government made on its own in fighting crime; if not,
2) Whether he has taken any steps to instruct the Minister to withdraw his remarks; if not, why not; if so, what steps?
REPLY
The Honourable Minister of Safety and Security denies making such a statement. I am also not aware of any such statement being made by him.
Issued by: Office of the Presidency