Issued by: Office of the Presidency
4 April 2001
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 14 DATE: 28 MARCH 2001
Ms N E Hangana (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the outcome of the recent Nigeria/South Africa Bilateral was positive; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? N686E
REPLY
Since the establishment of the South Africa-Nigeria Binational Commission in October 1999 substantial progress has been made in formalising the strategic relationship between the two countries. The Binational Commission aims to create an enabling environment for economic, social and political co-operation.
This year's session, from 12 to 14 March this year, reviewed the relations between the two countries in areas including Foreign Affairs, Minerals and Energy, Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Public Enterprises. The sectors of Defence and Arts, Culture Science and Technology participated for the first time. New areas of co-operation were also identified.
Agreements on Defence Co-operation; Police Co-operation and Institutional Co-operation in Agriculture were signed as well as a Declaration of Intent in respect of Immigration Matters between Nigeria and South Africa.
The Binational has also led to a climate of improved business to business linkages between the two countries and this was boosted by the launch of the South Africa-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce on the last day of the session. Approximately 25 businesses sent representatives to Nigeria to exploit opportunities arising from the session, and already some results are obvious on the business front.
Examples are: -
It is also significant to note that Nigeria increased South Africa's crude oil allocation from 22 000 to 120 000 barrels a day from February of this year.
The next Session will take place in South Africa in April next year and we look forward to cementing our relationship even further.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2 DATE: 28 MARCH 2001
Gen C L Viljoen (FF) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether, in light of the support of the South African Government for the tripartite agreement on East Timor reached between the United Nations, Portugal and Indonesia on 5 May 1999 in New York, the South African Government will be sympathetic to similar requests for limited autonomy for groups within South Africa that wish to have this kind of self-determination; if not, why not; if so, (a) what process will be prescribed by the Government to those groups that so wish to obtain government approval and for national legislation to be introduced to achieve this and (b) why did the Government refuse the request by the Orania community prior to the local government elections of 5 December 2000 to retain its status of autonomy as a local government for a specific community? N198E
REPLY
a) The South African Government does not see any link between the agreement on East Timor and the South African domestic situation.
The United Nations recognition of the right of self-determination is with specific reference to those territories, which were known to be of the colonial type. A prima facie case of geographical and ethnical or cultural distinctness has also to be established. As the Honourable member is aware, East Timor was a Portuguese colony, which was invaded by Indonesia. The United Nations has consistently recognised the right of the East Timorese people to self-determination.
b) As the Honourable member is aware, the matter of Orania's quest for municipal status is before the court and is also a subject of discussion between government and representatives of the community of Orania. As a matter of fact, Cabinet today authorised the Minister of Provincial and Local Government to establish a committee made up of representatives of National Government, the Government of the Northern Province, the Demarcation Board, the Oranje-Karoo Municipality; the Bo-Karoo District Municipality and the Orania Community.
The Committee will investigate the feasibility or otherwise of reviewing the municipal status of Orania as requested by the community of Orania.
The Committee will report back and make recommendations to government before the end of July 2001. The report will help all of us to take appropriate decisions on the matter.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 3 DATE: 28 MARCH 2001
Mr M C J van Schalkwyk (New NP) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether, in answer to a question in the House on 12 April 2000 about the specific time-frames for the appointment of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, he assured Parliament that a Bill to that effect would be submitted to Cabinet for approval and introduced in Parliament in 2000; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, why has this undertaking not been fulfilled
(2) whether any progress has been made in steering the draft legislation through Cabinet; if not, why not; if so, what progress;
(3) whether a Cabinet committee was tasked with considering the draft legislation; if not, why not; if so, (a) who sits on the committee and (b) what progress has so far been made;
(4) when is it anticipated that the Commission will be appointed?
REPLY
As indicated in the response to the question raised on 12 April 2000, the draft Bill was referred to a technical committee consisting of a broad range of South Africans, who embarked on a consultative process nationally. This process was concluded in June 2000. The report of the Technical Committee was then considered by government and refinements were made to the Bill. Cabinet considered the Bill in October last year but felt that further amendments were necessary.
A special Cabinet Committee was established and its brief was to refine the Bill, taking into account the comments by Cabinet. The Committee consists of Ministers FS Mufamadi, AK Asmal, PM Maduna and AM Omar.
This Committee met on 22 February 2001 and has made further recommendations on the content of the draft legislation. The Committee will report back to Cabinet on 18 April 2001. The Commission will be appointed after the draft legislation referred to has been passed by Parliament. The Bill will be tabled in Parliament in 2001.