Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698927993389.pdf (South Africa)
02 Workers Must Unite to ensure victory against covid-19 06 New airline on the cards to replace SAA 14 Goldberg, a fountain of profound wisdom Vol.

02 Issue 02 2020 State resources under severe pressure due to Covid-19 pandemic The Standing Committee on Appropriations received two briefings on the 2020 Appropriation Bill recently from the Public Services Commission (PSC) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
Each presenter highlighted the potential cost-saving measures and areas for concern that require additional funding, writes Abel Mputing.

In its briefing, the PSC told the committee that the ongoing debate around the public wage bill should include the issue of excessive salaries in public entities and municipalities, in particular for executives and board members.

In light of Covid-19, the presenter said, the non-payment of performance bonuses for the entire public administration should be considered.
The government’s cost of doing business was raised as a concern and also as an opportunity for cost-saving.

According to the PSC, state resources were already under severe pressure, and this has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The committee was told that the area of public service health risk assessment, done by public financial institutions, is one of the areas which should be revised, as these assessments could also be done by government healthcare practitioners.
The use of consultants, they said, also remains a large area of concern – and the briefing highlighted once again the failure of government departments to utilise internal capacity.

During the briefing, the committee highlighted its concerns with the ongoing issue of non-payment by government departments and the effects of this on small businesses, which are pivotal drivers of economic growth.
The committee believes that one of the ways to deal with this challenge is to link the 30-day payment period to the performance agreements that government officials sign.

In their briefing to the committee, the HSRC highlighted areas most in need of additional funding, the first of which relates to service delivery.

The budget cuts for local government support and traditional leaders remain a growing concern, and they said, this is the area where service delivery happens.
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA www.parliament .gov.za parliamentofrsa 2 INSESSION NEWS According to Prof Narnia Bohler- Muller, executive director of the HSRC’s Research Programme on Democracy, Governance and Service Delivery, investment in basic services infrastructure remains critical to managing local responses to the pandemic and general household and/or community resilience.

the infrastructure spending in basic education, which remains critical.
The HSRC welcomed the Covid-19 social assistance programme, but argued that its abrupt withdrawal at the end of six months, without alternative interventions, may have a potentially destabilising impact on the economy, poverty and vulnerability levels and social stability.
The committee was told that approximately 13.2% of the population overall indicated that their chronic medication was inaccessible during the lockdown, and 13% to 25% of those living in informal settlements, rural (traditional tribal areas) and farms indicated their chronic medications were not easily accessible.
She said the redirection of the budget should therefore consider the high prevalence of hunger, the provision of water and sanitation required for personal and individual hygiene, and economic opportunities to protect the incomes of households.

The second area of concern she raised relates to inclusive economic development.

Another area of concern was The Covid-19 pandemic has thrust into the spotlight the need for better health promotion strategies.
According to Prof Khangelani Zuma, who is HSRC’s Executive Director: Social Aspects of Public Health, the average growth of 5.1% in the health budget is insufficient given the immediate and long-term health challenges facing South Africans.

Addressing key constraints facing the country’s health system, South Africa requires the reorientation of the health system towards comprehensive primary healthcare and institutional reforms for the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI).
The HSRC also spoke of the need for stronger prioritisation of expenditure on innovation, science and technology (IST).

The HSRC’s Research Director, Dr Glenda Kruss, pointed to the intensified problem of Covid-19.

According to her presentation, the redirection of IST expenditure to Covid-19-related priorities likely means further IST cuts, and that will impact negatively on future growth and development potential.
While noting the challenges related to IST, the committee questioned the decline in private sector investment in IST, while encouraging the HSRC to look at how schools in rural areas are included in IST and development.

With regard to cost-cutting measures, the committee noted that this requires innovation to facilitate effective and efficient service delivery and performance.
The management of public funds requires proper accountability measures, more important now given the funds made available to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the areas in need of additional funds were highlighted in the presentation, what was not clear according to the committee, are the programmes and measures of enhancing revenue that will be able to sustain these areas more effectively.
The committee is determined to process an Appropriations Bill that is responsive to creating opportunities for efficiency, effectiveness and value for money.

While keeping this in mind, the committee also realises that budget cuts across all areas to deal with the current pandemic are inevitable.
Workers Must Unite to ensure victory against covid-19 - Presiding Officers The commemoration of the 2020 International Workers Day (May Day) takes place under an unprecedented and complex global health crisis brought about by the dreaded coronavirus pandemic.

Its impact on workers in South Africa, on the continent and across the world is one of the most devastating health and socio-economic crisis the world of work has ever experienced.
Millions of jobs are being lost globally, families are confronted with economic hardships as economies are under major strain due to inactivity, say the Presiding Officers of Parliament, the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Thandi Modise, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo.

The aftermath of this virus will be particularly hurtful to the poor and the working class, particularly the low- wage workers.
In South Africa, the Covid-19 pandemic has graphically highlighted the depth of the triple challenges facing our nation – inequality, poverty and unemployment.

The global crisis has thus made it imperative and urgent to confront these challenges more sharply than ever before, as an integral part of fighting the pandemic.
The human solidarity and unity that has emerged amongst South Africans in the battle against this dangerous invisible enemy will be required to defeat the resultant socio-economic challenges that will remain with us after this pandemic.

The South African working class has consistently affirmed the principle that workplace struggles cannot be separated from broader societal developmental efforts.
The unity of workers and the working class during this time is more paramount than ever, and is historically re-affirmed by the famous rallying cry, “workers of the world unite”.

As certain INSESSION NEWS 3 sectors of our economy open and various categories of workers are set to return to workplaces following weeks of complete lockdown to slow down the rate of infections, all efforts must be made to ensure conducive environments, which are safe and hygienic for the workers.
Companies are called upon to ensure that workers are protected and regulations as well as all labour laws are strictly observed.

We commend the government for its bold and necessary intervention, in the form of R500-billion set aside for injection into the economy, to assist with cushioning the enormous socio-economic effects of Covid-19.

This includes relief for people who have been hit hard by the virus, the unemployed and companies.
On this day, our solidarity is with all the workers of our land as they toil under the precarious Covid-19 conditions both remotely behind the gates of their residences and formal physical workplaces.

We particularly salute essential workers who are at the forefront of the national battle against the spread of Covid-19.

These include health-care practitioners, law- enforcement officers, retail workers, community workers, scientists and the military.
Their commitment is a commendable passion-driven patriotism, selflessness and love for humanity.

We are convinced that as a united front, victory against Covid-19 is certain.

We owe it to our forebears who fought hard the protracted battles in South Africa and across the world for workers’ rights and social justice over the past centuries.

We also owe it to future generations of workers to conquer this health and economic crisis with a minimum negative impact on our nation and families.
We wish all South Africans and workers well during Worker’s Day.

May we all continue ensuring we remain safe, observe social distancing and exercise the hygiene guidelines at all times.
Editor Brent Simons Production editor Mava Lukani Design and layout Lazola Zantsi Copy editors Jane Henshall, Vusumzi Nobadula Writers Mava Lukani, Sakhile Mokoena, Abel Mputing, Justice Molafo, Sureshinee Govender, Sibongile Maputi, Brent Simons, Photography Mlandeli Puzi, Zwelethemba Kostile GCIS Distribution & subscriptions Jacqueline Zils Publisher Parliament of the Republic of South Africa Section Manager: Publishing and Production Shirley Montsho Copyright INSESSION is published by the Information and Content Development Unit of the Parliamentary Communication Services of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.
All material published is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Telephone 021 403 8738 Fax 021 403 8096 E-mail insession@parliament.gov.za Subscriptions jzils@parliament.gov.za Post PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000 OUR IDEALS Vision An activist and responsive people’s Parliament that improves the quality of life of South Africans and ensures enduring equality in our society.
Strategic Objectives • Strengthening oversight and accountability; • Enhancing public involvement; • Deepening engagement in international fora; • Strengthening cooperative government; • Strengthening legislative capacity.
BOOK A TOUR To tour Parliament Telephone 021 403 2266 Fax 021 403 3817 E-mail tours@parliament.gov.za Parliaments are critical in coordinating the fight against Covid-19 The COVID-19 pandemic is not only impacting on our day-to- day lives, it is also changing the way parliaments work around the world according to the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), writes Brent Simons.
Parliaments have “a vital role to play in supporting national efforts to stem the pandemic and in mobilising the resources to implement the health measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

They are also key in legislating to mitigate the effects of the ensuing economic crisis and protecting the livelihoods of the populations that they represent.” These were the words of IPU President, Ms Gabriela Cuevas.
She believes that “the human race faces a new global threat, the biggest challenge to date of the new millennium: the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of people infected is already into seven figures, and there are tens of thousands of victims all around the world… we commend the heroic work of medical officers, scientists and many other essential staff who are working to protect us from the most dangerous threat to modernity, sometimes at the cost of their own lives.” Ms Cuevas says that the IPU has always seen its essential mission as bringing together the parliaments of the world, not “only in strengthening the foundations of democracy at the national level, but also as platforms for developing joint solutions to international problems.” She recalled that the IPU had adopted “a resolution on achieving universal health coverage by 2030”.
The resolution noted the “absolute importance of building reliable primary health-care services and strengthening health systems, highlighting also the role that such systems play in ensuring global health security.” This, according to Ms Cuevas, validates “the relevance and practical importance” of the work done by parliaments throughout the world.
The IPU says that all “Parliaments are currently subject to the same public health and social distancing measures as schools, places of worship or businesses.” However, “in a time of crisis, the role of Parliament is more vital than ever, to 4 INSESSION NEWS pass emergency laws, allocate resources and scrutinise government action.” Accordingly, the IPU proposed some of the following approaches to ensure effective oversight by IPU Member Parliaments around the world: Parliament continues to meet physically (where possible), but with restrictions.
These restrictions may include: fewer sittings of plenary sessions or committees; fewer parliamentarians and staff in the building with some working remotely; changes to the venue of parliamentary meetings, for example using a bigger building that allows for more effective social distancing.

Parliament continues to meet virtually using remote working methods.

Technical infrastructure for remote meetings is widely available through commercial providers.
Many parliaments are exploring options for remote working tools.

This raises a number of issues, including the legal basis for remote working, security and authentication.

Another factor is the capacity of parliamentary staff to put in place new solutions while being subject to social distancing measures themselves.

The IPU is also fully aware that Covid-19 pandemic will present legal, procedural, technical and security challenges to its members throughout the world.
However, it believes that these challenges can be overcome, through international cooperation or locally produced technological innovation.

The IPU has also “reached out to Speakers of its Member Parliaments, encouraging efforts they are taking to contribute to the efforts to stem the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the interests of sharing parliamentary practice and facilitating inter-parliamentary communication, the IPU is calling on its Members to communicate what actions they are taking to legislate for the crisis, as well as how they are using technology to continue to function in a time of confinement and social distancing.” and ensuring the continuity of democratic practices.” To this end, “the IPU has also called on its Member Parliaments to join WHO’s life-saving campaign on social distancing and hand hygiene using the hashtag #SafeHands.
Many parliaments have started amplifying the message through social media and outreach efforts to their populations.” Ms Cuevas says that “throughout its long history” the IPU “has always stood for the principle that global challenges require global responses”.

This means that only through collective action and reaction can humanity confront international threats, such as “dangerous diseases, climate change, international terrorism and unsustainable development”.
The IPU also acknowledge that during a times of crisis, “some authorities are tempted to bypass democratic practices and parliaments in the name of expediency.

The IPU will continue to support parliaments in promoting political dialogue She called on parliaments to continue its important day to day work while facing the challenges of dealing with Covid-19 and rebuilding our economies after the pandemic.
Constituency offices are an extension of Parliament InSession spoke to the House Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) responsible for committees, Mr Jomo Nyambi, on the work of committees under virtual conditions and the constituency of the delegates to the NCOP.

He was also asked about the allocation of constituencies to the delegates to the NCOP and their accountability on that work, writes Mava Lukani.
Mr Jomo Nyambi, MP Mr Nyambi said: “Constituency offices are an extension of Parliament and Members of Parliament would then be accountable to Parliament for the time it schedules for them to execute their constituency responsibilities.
If you check the programmes of Parliament, you will realise that on top of Mondays being designated as constituency days, there’s also a constituency period that precedes the leave period.” He added: “Members are expected to work in Parliament and in constituencies before they could take a break between terms.
Whereas the Chief Whips assume responsibility for adherence to the programme of the NCOP, the honours are with each individual party to designate or allocate its members to constituency offices or constituency areas.” On the impact of the lockdown on rural communities in the provinces, which are the constituencies of the NCOP, he was asked whether NCOP committees have Covid-19 response oversight plans in place to deal with those specific problems, Mr Nyambi said: “It is indeed true that lockdown measures, which have proven to be an effective strategy in the fight against the rapid spread of Covid-19, have brought into sharp focus the stark realities of inequality, unemployment and poverty.
Whereas those who reside in the suburbs and towns have reported better coping mechanisms, the same cannot be said about those who reside in poor communities.

Social distancing has just been a challenge due to the high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment.” He added: “This calls into urgency the fast-tracking of the National Democratic Revolution as a noble battle cry.
Coming to your question, you would have noted that immediately after the declaration of the National State of Disaster, we called on all the committees in the NCOP to redraft their second term programmes, in consultation with their counterparts in the National Assembly so as to put in check the actions of the executive, especially during these trying times.” He also said: “The reason we moved for heightened cooperation and coordination is that we did not want to wear down our Ministers.
Committees could actually conduct joint meetings and still achieve the same outcome.” On the possibility of working closely with the portfolio committees of the legislatures as the NCOP is responsible for provinces, Mr Nyambi said: “We will actually do everything within the confines of the law to ensure that the legislative arm of government continues to execute its mandate.
For instance, it is possible to get portfolio committees in the provincial legislatures to attend joint briefings with select committees where a Minister would brief both, instead of the normal cycle where the Minister briefs the select committee, and then a permanent delegate reverts to the legislature to brief a portfolio committee for it to conclude its negotiating mandate.” INSESSION NEWS 5 MP to visit Beit Bridge Border Fence Erection Project site Ms Nolitha Ntobongwana, MP The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) briefed the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure recently on the government-owned properties earmarked as quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients.
The department also reported on the Beit Bridge fence erection project and the role of Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) beneficiaries during the pandemic, writes Abel Mputing.

According to the department’s Director-General, Mr Sam Vukela, the department depends on the compliance measures approved by the Department of Health.

He conceded that “there are challenges regarding repair and renovation, procurement of beds and catering services in some sites”.
In addition, the process of quarantine began without a standard operating procedure, but Mr Vukela added that “that process is almost finalised now”.

Another challenge is hotel rate payments because, he said, some hotels demand payment for the entire hotel in advance, regardless of required occupancy.

He told the committee that the National Treasury approved this, stating that “it would not make sense for the hotel to open only to be paid half of the occupancy rate”.
Furthermore, he said, there are cases where people have been released from quarantine prematurely, before the required 14 days.

“Now we have ensured that when we sign a contract it stipulates the period of stay.

If not, that would create problems,” he reported.

Members of the committee told the department to look at the high costs charged by hotels for quarantine sites.

They believe that private businesses should control the need to make maximum profit, especially during times of human suffering.
On the Expanded Public Works Covid-19 response interventions, the department reported that to date, 22 000 employees have been paid over R100 per day.

The department also provides EPWP employees with personal protective equipment and screening, and they work under the supervision of a medical practitioner to ensure their safety.

In addition, the committee heard that initial problems with the deployment plan have now been resolved with the Department of Health and the plan is ready to be implemented.
Some committee members were critical of the R100- a-day wage, considering the risk the virus poses to these workers.

However, they were pleased to hear from the Minister of DPWI, Ms Patricia de Lille, that during the Covid-19 lockdown period all EPWP beneficiaries under contract will remain as beneficiaries, and will be able to draw from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) once their contracts expire.
Concerning the Beit Bridge border post, the Public Works team reported that it is busy with the upkeep of the fence and have asked the defence force to patrol it regularly to assist in managing the illegal crossing and safe-keeping of the border against the unnecessary risks of infection.
When members were critical of the amount of money spent on the erection of the border fence at Beit Bridge over the years and its current upgrade, Ms De Lille promised that she will investigate the matter, alleging that “there has been an act of corruption or illegality in how this fence has been erected and continually replaced over time.

I will ask the Auditor- General to furnish me with figures and see what steps can be taken to sort this out once and for all”.
Members of the committee resolved to visit the Beit Bridge Border Fence Erection Project site as soon as possible.

They have requested an updated presentation from the department on the project, and on other maintenance work on land ports of entry.

“The short version of my response is not only possible but desirable to include provincial portfolio committees in NCOP virtual meetings and it will definitely be done once the need has been established.
In terms of our Constitution Special Delegates to the NCOP who are from the provincial legislatures, they can attend any of our meetings as they have at their disposal the programme of the NCOP.
This includes the local sphere of government that’s represented by Salga (South African Local Government Association) in the NCOP.” Asked on whether joint virtual meetings allow both members of the National Assembly (NA) and the NCOP to exercise oversight properly as they don’t have the same mandate, he said: “The mandates of both the NA and NCOP are indeed distinct, but the story does not end there.

The analysis becomes complete and instructive when we add that these mandates are interdependent.
What happens in the joint virtual meetings is that each committee is able to take from the Minister what is relevant to it, and no single committee gets prejudiced by that arrangement.” Furthermore, Mr Nyambi said: “This frees time for Ministers to get along with the business of leading the charge in the fight against Covid-19 and any other business as per their mandate.
Members of Parliament in general also benefit from the aforesaid arrangement as time becomes available for them also to concentrate on such other matters as may be required of them.

This includes Members’ training, law-making and constituency work.” He said the story of the NA and NCOP with their distinct and yet complementary mandates needs to be repackaged for clarity: “Members of society do not, honestly, care about these distinctions.
All they see are Members of Parliament who should be responsive and amenable to addressing the needs of communities,” said Mr Nyambi.
6 INSESSION NEWS New airline on the cards to replace SAA The Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan, and representatives from three of the department’s entities, South African Airways (SAA), Eskom and Transnet appeared before a joint meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communications, to brief the committees on the latest developments at the entities, writes Sakhile Mokoena.
Public Enterprises and Communication, asked the Minister whether Parliament will be required to amend the SAA Act or if the new airline will operate under the old Act.

SAA was established in terms of an Act of Parliament in 2007.

Minister Gordhan could not give an immediate response, but promised to provide an answer at a later date.
Mr Gordhan focused primarily on SAA, which he said is currently undergoing business rescue, while Eskom and Transnet were represented by their Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Mr Ander de Ruyter and Ms Portia Derby, respectively.

Mr Gordhan told the committees that the business rescue process at SAA will result in the emergence of a new, viable airline.
He said: “As we go through business rescue, if the business is rescuable, a new type of airline will emerge and the old SAA will not exist in the future.” Asked to provide further details about the planned new airline and where the funding will come from as “launching an airline was a very costly exercise “, the Minister could not give a clear response, but he said: “All is being worked through and some of it is commercially sensible information – the business model and funding.” Mr Mlindi Nhanha, who is a member of the Select Committee on would look like.
He said that “not every employee will be employed in the new airline”.

Asked whether this process was not aimed at privatising SAA, Mr Gordhan said: “We are not privatising anything.

We will entertain strategic equity partners.” He also warned members of the committees that the cost of air travel will be higher, post- Covid-19, due to new rules such as social distancing, which will impact on the number of passengers in an aircraft.

A 100-seater might carry about 30 passengers.


Briefing the committees on the latest developments at Eskom and the impact of Covid-19, Eskom’s CEO, Mr Andre de Ruyter, said Eskom had experienced a drop in demand as industries shut down, but “a full financial impact of Covid-19 and restrictions is still being fully assessed”.

lockdown eased.
lockdown eased.

Mr De Ruyter said: “It will depend on how the lockdown is released, whether a big bang where all industries go back at the same time or it’s done gradually.” Transnet’s CEO, Ms Portia Derby, said the Covid-19 period was an “extreme change from business as usual”.

She added: “As the crisis has unfolded, lessons have been learned and new ways of working have evolved.
Relative stability in the environment has given Transnet the opportunity to go through the process of codifying these into a new way of working, based on an estimated 18 months’ impact window for the Covid-19 pandemic.” She said the prediction of a deep slump in the global economy will have a negative impact on the transportation (export) of cargo, and the that Transnet operating divisions (freight rail and the ports, in particular) will be significantly impacted in terms of the volumes transported, due to the fact that the virus outbreak will slow global economic growth this year.
Mr Gordhan also added that a process of consultation with labour unions at SAA was underway and discussions involved what a new airline Members of the committees wanted to know if Eskom will be able to keep lights on, with more industries reopening as the Committee tells transport department to submit covid-19 impact report The committees on transport heard that they will be provided with a comprehensive report on the impact of Covid-19 on the budget of the Department of Transport, and how the department hopes to readjust and prioritise the budget, writes Sibongile Maputi.
The Portfolio Committee on Transport and the Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure received briefings from the Department of Transport and the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) on their strategic plans, and also their annual performance plans (APPs).

had completely changed how the department works and therefore a budget review was necessary.
He said some of the plans the department is looking to introduce include high- speed rail, but that requires the participation of the private sector.

“This will put an end to the monopoly of Prasa and Transnet,” Mr Moemi said.

The Director-General of the Department of Transport, Mr Alec Moemi, told the committees that Covid-19 The committees heard that Sanral remains a big risk, and needed to be dealt with urgently.
Mr Moemi said: “We are still waiting for Cabinet INSESSION NEWS 7 Tax relief measures will have direct revenue reduction and cash flow implications The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Services (Sars), Mr Edward Kieswetter, told members of the Standing Committee on Finance and of the Select Committee on Finance that tax relief measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aimed at mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on small and medium-sized businesses, will have direct revenue reduction and cash flow implications, writes Justice Molafo.
Mr Kieswetter told the two committees that Sars has projected the actual impact over a maximum period of six months, starting from 1 April 2020, to be in excess of R70 billion.

His presentation stated that the biggest impact is expected to come from the deferral of 35% of pay-as-you-earn liability for four months for businesses with expected gross turnover of less than R100 million a year.

It further indicated that this is expected to have an impact of R21 billion.
The Sars Commissioner also stated that the deferral of 35% of provisional tax payments for the next six months for businesses and the self-employed with expected gross turnover of less than R100 million is expected to have revenue impacts of R15 billion over the same period.

a fall in compliance during the national lockdown and has undertaken to fully implement its third strategic objective, thereby seeking to detect all non-compliance and take corrective measures to counter the impact on revenue.
The revue services identified nine strategic objectives in its annual performance plan for the 2020/21 financial year, as well as the medium term expenditure framework.

According to the strategic goal 3, Sars aims to detect taxpayers and traders who do not comply, and make non-compliance hard and costly.

This, according to Mr Kieswetter’s presentation, will be achieved by ensuring, among other things, a concerted effort to combat syndicated fraud, including value-added tax and undervaluation of imports.
Select Committees on Finance were briefed on the National Treasury’s and Sars’ strategic and annual performance plans, and budget for the 2020/21 financial year by Minister Tito Mboweni and Deputy Minister, Mr David Masondo, together with the National Treasury Director-General and the Sars Commissioner.

The National Treasury presented an annual departmental budget of R33.1 billion, which will be spent under the seven departmental programmes.
The Co-Chairperson, Mr Joe Maswanganyi, advised the National Treasury to consider revising its annual plan to deal with the economic structural reform measures, in order to address the challenges of poverty and joblessness.
However, Sars is projecting The Standing Committee on Finance, together with the However, the two committees welcomed the statement from Minister Mboweni that small, medium and micro-enterprises and cooperatives should be given equal opportunity in the procurement of personal protective equipment for Covid-19, as long as they meet prescribed minimum standards.
The committees held the firm view that the national disaster arising from the Covid-19 pandemic is not a licence to suspend the application of the Constitution and other legislation concerning procurement.
Lastly, Mr Joe Maswanganyi emphasised that procurement processes during the state of national disaster must be conducted within the framework of existing statutes, including section 217 of the Constitution, the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.
decisions on the matter of e-tolls, and we are hoping to get those decisions soon and implement them soon.” Members of the committees asked questions about the maintenance of rural roads, the bicycle programme for schools, the impact of Covid-19 on the Road Accident Fund, the use of consultants at the department, the taxi recapitalisation programme, and the appointment of an Administrator at Prasa.
The committees heard that the DLCA intended to provide secure and quality drivers licences, and they also heard that the DLCA was looking to automate most of its services to ensure a seamless service when it came to issuing of licences.

Also, the committees heard that the matter involving 27 contract employees at the DLCA had been resolved and that these contract employees were made permanent.

The entity is doing well on liquidity and it will change the outdated machines it uses to produce licences.
Members of the committees sought clarity from the DLCA on how the fraudulent issuing of licences would be curbed.

The Co-Chair of the joint meeting and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Mosebenzi Zwane, said the matter of Sanral and e-tolls needed to be resolved, and that if the committees’ intervention is required, that should be made clear.

He said the committees had been talking about the matter for too long.
The department told the committees that it will provide written responses in five days’ time.

The Deputy Minister of the Department of Transport, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, said the responses will include how the department intended to approach issues around Covid-19, reorganise the budget, and how best to reshape its APP.

“We will have to tweak the annual performance plans, and ensure compliance,” Ms Magadzi said.
8 INSESSION NEWS MPs keep working during lockdown Sureshinee Govender for Insession spoke to Mr Kenny Mmoeimang, who is the delegate to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for the Northern Cape Province and also the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, on conducting oversight and constituency work remotely.
Mr Kenny Mmoeimang, MP Mr Mmoeimang said it has been an eye-opener to work under these conditions where we are forced to hold the executive to account, and reach our constituencies for constituency work purposes under the lockdown conditions.

During lockdown, this work has to happen.

Indeed, there are challenges to that work through virtual platforms, but we are optimistic about the improvement particularly on the security of the platforms we use.
Commenting on the cooperation of government departments and their entities the committee oversees, he said that despite the technical glitches with the virtual system, Parliament is working well with government departments.

He commended the intervention of Parliament’s Presiding Officers in ensuring that the work of committees goes on.
“The virtual meetings have enabled us to invite government departments and their entities to come and present their strategic and annual performance plans and their budgets in terms of the money bills and related matters.

“I must say that they showed a degree of cooperation and always came sufficiently prepared.” Mmoeimang.
Asked about site visits during the lockdown, Mr Mmoeimang said that on 26 March, which was the first day of the lockdown, he visited the Olifantshoek Police Station, Kathrine Koikoi Clinic and the Olifantshoek Health Centre to assess the readiness of these centres of service to the people for Covid-19.

“During the walkabout, I was accompanied by the ward councillor and community leaders.
Health workers and the leaders of these centres complained about the lack of protective clothing at the centres,” said Mr He said the discipline displayed in communities in adhering to the lockdown directives was overwhelming.
“That was the way in which they showed their submission to the clarion call to flatten the curve.” On 7 May Mr Mmoeimang attended John Taolo Gaetsewe District Covid-19 meeting where the regional departments in the district presented their interventions to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
He said the departments that presented strategies to mitigate Covid-19 were: basic education, transport, health, social development, correctional services, South African National Defence Force, South African Police Service and environment.

On adherence to the lockdown regulations and hygiene rules in his constituency, Mr Mmoeimang said in the meeting he attended, people highlighted the failure of the people to adhere to the regulations.
He said the long queues for social grants is a cause for concern, as it is currently impossible to keep social distance under those conditions.

We must appreciate farmworkers during lockdown - Committee Chairperson Nkosi “Zwelivelile” Mandela InSession’s Sureshinee Govender spoke to Nkosi Mandla “Zwelivelile” Mandela, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, and also the Chief of Mvezo.

About his role during the national lockdown.


Asked about his experience on conducting virtual oversight over the last few weeks, Nkosi Mandela said: “Virtual oversight is not new to our space.

We call up the Minister, the department and the officials of the related entities on specific issues when we require clarity or intervention on a regular basis.
Covid-19 conditions have, however, made this modus operandi a default way for us to conduct operations and oversight.” He mentioned that the committee appreciates that it has an activist Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza, and “therefore operating this way has been quite effective in dealing with Nkosi “Zwelivelile” Mandela, MP INSESSION NEWS 9 Madiba’s birth.
“We are proud of this harvest of cabbage, butternut and spinach and it will bring much needed respite and relief for a few needy families.

Food insecurity, hunger, poverty and underdevelopment is not just an academic concept here.

It is real and we can count it by the household.

It is the daily lived experience of many in rural villages in South Africa such as Mvezo.

“These crops provide hope and augment the efforts of philanthropists who have come to the aid of needy families.
We are far from the peak of Covid 19 and winter lies ahead.

This initiative from our gardens at the Mandela School of Science and Technology feeds our nation with hope.” pressing issues, such as the declaration of farm workers as essential workers in order to secure food security to the nation”.
prevailing conditions that can be a quantum leap with regard to the work that we do.” According to Nkosi Mandela, everyone applauds the healthcare workers for being on the frontline of the struggle against Covid-19.

However, we should also appreciate that the entire country relies on farm workers for food during the lockdown.

He said the department has been extremely responsive to the committee.
But, he said, as activists they will always push for more, as Malcolm X said: “It is the door that squeaks that gets the grease.” He said the committee would like to see a greater degree of proactiveness from the department – and to ensure that the committee doesn’t reverse or lose the gains it has made in any area of operations as a result of covid-19 lockdown conditions.
Asked about his constituency work and visits to projects in the communities during the lockdown and his observations, Nkosi Mandela said that he and the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Oscar Mabuyane, had visited the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha and the Mthatha Regional Hospital.

The purpose of the visit, he said, was to assess the state of readiness of the hospitals for the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It was very clear that we face serious challenges although there are 200 beds available to deal with the immediate demand if required.

However, should we reach peak conditions and the need arises beyond this level, we will face a serious crisis,” said Nkosi Mandela.
“We must seize the opportunity to expedite interventions that can make a difference, either through advancing existing mandates or to formulate critical interventions appropriate for the “To give you an indication, more than 200 people were infected in the Majola funeral alone.

We don’t know yet what the knock- on effect of secondary infections is.

Port St Johns has now become the rural epicentre of the pandemic in the Eastern Cape.

Already there have been 20 deaths.


The situation has been compounded by the fact that there are low levels of literacy amongst rural communities and the messages may not be effectively reaching them.

However, we are working to mitigate some of these risks.” He said life was tough in rural communities, even prior Covid-19, due to the remoteness of the communities.

However, “It has become tougher under these prevailing conditions.
Poverty and underdevelopment remain the two starkest characteristics of rural life and the new Covid-19 conditions have just exposed how much more vulnerable and exposed rural communities are.” Nkosi Mandela said rural communities have learnt resilience and forbearance in the face of adversity, and that helps in coping with tough conditions.

“We are grateful to religious and aid organisations, such as Awqaf SA, which has already provided hand sanitisers and soup.
In the coming week we will be distributing 500 food parcels,” he added.
“A protracted lockdown has the potential to ferment civil unrest and chaos, as individuals and communities battle for survival and to eke out a daily subsistence.” Therefore, the committee must accelerate priority issues that are within the mandate of the department, “including land reform, land restitution, ramping up agricultural extension programmes aimed at meeting our domestic needs, and ramping up agricultural and agri- processing exports.” On constituency work, Nkosi Mandela also worked with Mvezo residents who received vegetables harvested from Mandela School of Science and Technology on Workers’ Day.
“On Workers Day, we salute the workers of the world.

We pay tribute to the ragged hands that work the soil and harvest life sustaining crops.
Today, a humble crop of vegetables was harvested at Mvezo and will feed 18 households; the poorest of the poor in the village of 10 INSESSION NEWS ‘Volunteers risk their lives to help serve the poor’ MP Hishaam Mohamed On Freedom Day, the Southern Suburbs Parliamentary Constituency Office (PCO) of the African National Congress, in partnership with the Southern Suburbs Legal Advice Centre (Sslac) reached out to the communities it serves through its Covid-19 Assistance Programme, writes Brent Simons.
In partnership with Sslac, a total of 700 food parcels were distributed, reaching households in eight areas of the southern suburbs of Cape Town.

It is estimated that more than 5 000 people benefited from these food parcels.

Sslac is a non-profit organisation and a registered trust providing free legal advice and human rights training to communities in Cape Town’s southern suburbs since 2009.
Calling on South Africans not to lose hope, Adv Hishaam Mohamed, a Member of the National Assembly deployed to this area of Cape Town, said: “We have a shared commitment and pride ourselves as a nation that stands up to any challenge, including Coved-19, which is threatening our lives.” in the southern suburbs.

In partnership with Sslac, the PCO’s target was to distribute 800 food parcels to the poorest families in the constituency.
Adv Mohamed indicated that “we can defeat Covid-19 if we all adhere to the regulations as outline by the government”.

He added that on 27 March when the national lockdown came into effect, the PCO had resolved to respond to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to assist communities to adhere to the Covid-19 lockdown regulations by assisting impoverished families Communities identified included Masiphumelele, Vrygrond, Phumlani, Westlake, Parkwood, Redhill, Lotusriver, Ottery, Imizamo Yethu and Steenberg.
The eight communities reached, are areas where unemployment is about 80%.

“The PCO is immensely proud and grateful for our partnership with Sslac.
The generous donation from Sslac to the communities of the south not only helped to ease the hunger of 5 000 people, but also helped them to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations by practising social distancing, as they were not required to leave their homes to go and look for food for at least a month.” fish, tinned mix-veg curry, baked beans, fish oil, soya mince and salt.
Adv Mohamed says they distributed the food parcels and fundraising for future projects under the banner of “Help us to help more people”.

The PCO coordinated and ensured that all volunteers had the necessary permits, as voluntary essential workers.

Each food parcel cost about R300 and the food items in each pack consisted of rice, sugar, cake flour, maize meal, tea, soup mix, lentils, tinned He thanked the volunteers who “risk their lives to serve the poorest of the poor.
Their revolutionary duty during this difficult and frightening period of our history will be remembered by our community for a very long time.

We salute them all”.

Mr Hishaam Mohamed, MP INSESSION NEWS 11 We must embrace technology and make it work for us – Faith Muthambi Ms Faith Muthambi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, talks about her experience of virtual meetings, digital oversight and her Constituency work during lockdown.
households are struggling to put a meal on the table.

As a committee we have heard of some councillors allegedly involved in discriminatory distribution of food parcels, some are alleged to be stealing the food parcels for themselves and their families and flouting the lockdown regulations with regards to permits.

There have been many queries with regard to the regulations which need to be applied consistently throughout the country.
COVID-19 has shown us that as a country we have the ability and spirit to come together to support each other.

Ms Faith Muthambi, MP What has been your experience in conducting virtual oversight?

We are in the 4th Industrial Revolution, technology is here and it is time to embrace the challenge of using technology and making it work for us.
I appreciate that the various applications such as Zoom and MS Teams have made it possible for committees to meet and to conduct its oversight work which is mandatory.

In the beginning it took some use to get used to, but now the committee is comfortable and our work is being carried out.
I also welcome the fact that there are now more people watching the work of committees on the various platforms such as DSTV channel 408, You Tube, Twitter and Facebook, however we must be mindful of the fact that not everyone has access to these sites as data costs are still very high.

Millions of people are relying on food parcels and therefore buying data or paid for TV is not a necessity for them.

What has been the response to the virtual meetings by the Department that you oversee?
making the presentations to the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA and the fact that we are live makes a big difference, the public can now see the difference between the work of parliament and the work of government.

The work of oversight when Members of Parliament asks questions make this function of ours very clear.

Have you been out to visit any sites during the lockdown, if yes, what are those and what are your observations?
I have been to Khathisa Village in Gumbani under Collins Chabane Municipality in Vhembe where I have seen a water tank and borehole donated by the Motsepe Foundation two years ago standing which has not been connected , whilst people have no access to tap water.

I have made enquiries with the Vhembe District Municipality, Eskom and the National Disaster Management Centre in this regard and have requested that the electrification of the borehole be expedited.
It is essential that communities have water to wash their hands and for their daily needs during and after this pandemic.

tanks standing which have not been connected for weeks now, whilst people have no access to water.

I have made enquiries with the Department of COGTA in this regard and have requested for the national list for the distribution of water tanks across the country.
I have since escalated the matter with the Portfolio Committee On Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation for them to follow it up with DWS as to when the outstanding water tanks will be installed.

The other issue that’s prevalent in the two districts is the brewing of traditional beer but the police are apprehending all culprits in this respect.

The local municipalities are collecting refuse as it is expected of them.
The Department of Health is busy doing door to door screening of communities and referring those suspected of infections for tests in identified health facilities.

How are the people in your community coping with the lockdown regulations?

lack of access to communication tools including ICT facilities to access government relief facilities.

They are forced to go to centres that are open, which are congested and they are likely to be infected hence maintaining social distances become impossible.
Majority of them are complaining of not receiving any assistance of the relief grants as promised by government.

Their wish is to have a fair and equitable distribution of food parcels, sanitizers and masks.

We need to adhere to the lockdown regulations in whichever level we find ourselves.

These regulations have been imposed for our safety and the restriction of movement to work has perhaps been the hardest and most stringent, but necessary to flatten the curve.
Its effects are being seen now, with the daily infection rates which could have been a lot higher if it was not imposed timeously.

This was necessary for government to buy time to put systems in place.

As a committee we fully support the regulations.

What is the greatest challenge at the moment, and what do you think as the Chairperson of Cogta needs to be done?

The Department of CoGTA has come on board without any hitches as it is business unusual.
We acknowledge the Minister of CoGTA, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini – Zuma I have been to both Vhembe and Mopani District Disaster Management Command Council.

The major problem is the water People in these areas are the most rural poor and vulnerable.

There is poverty and unemployment within the communities.

The challenge is The greatest challenge is that people are hungry.
Due to the massive unemployment and non -payment of salaries, many 12 INSESSION NEWS Political parties on the lockdown Lulama Ntshayisa, AIC – We welcome and appreciate the levels that were introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the purpose of easing the lockdown.

The President has got to strike a balance between opening up the economy of the country and also trying to curb the spread of this coronavirus.
We also appreciate the fact that the President is consulting all other stakeholders in order to come to a proper decision, so that it is not something of his own.

For that, we are very much appreciative, as the African Independent Congress.

Our country now has been under difficult time; we still urge our people to be patient.

Pemmy Majodina, ANC – The ANC welcomes and appreciate the good initiative as pronounced by the President that the government is embarking on a risk-adjusted approach.
We fully support this initiative, as it will go a long way in saving us as a country.

Those selected industries, as well as the sectors that are supposed to start gradually to do business, must be given time and space to do so.

All of us must stay at home and ensure that we adhere to all the lockdown regulations.

It is in the interest of our country that while we are on lockdown, we must also allow economic growth.
We therefore pledge our unwavering support to ensure that when this lockdown ends, our country is still intact in terms of economy and all other social amenities.

Siviwe Gwarube, DA – We welcome the announcement by the President that we will, as from next week, be looking at a risk- adjusted strategy when it comes to our lockdown in South Africa.

South Africa has been on lockdown now for several weeks and we are looking forward to this risk- adjusted strategy that will be implemented in the coming days.
However, we do want to urge everybody to please remain at home.

Although some of the restrictions will be eased, it doesn’t mean it is business as usual.

Reality, as we know it, has changed fundamentally.

We need to make sure that we remain at home if we don’t have to be anywhere, and if we do leave home, we need to make sure that we are wearing masks and we are practising immaculate personal hygiene.
So please, let’s continue doing the work together, let’s continue to make sure that we bring down the infection rate of this virus, and we can beat it if we all work together.

Steve Swart, ACDP – The ACDP welcomes the risk- adjusted strategic plan for economic activity announced by President Ramaphosa.

What this entails are five different levels.

Level five is the most severe one and the hard lockdown, which is very difficult for all of us.
But hopefully this will move down to level one, a level which will be almost a total lifting of the lockdown.

From 1 May, the lockdown will move to level four, where certain businesses will be able to open their doors.

After making submissions to the relevant Cabinet ministers, those ministers will also announce details as to which businesses would be able to open under strict health protocols.

The ACDP will also like to see our faith-based organisations being declared essential services.
There is a dire need for pastoral, and spiritual care at this time when our citizens are going through such a tough time, and we would urge the government to look into that.

So, from the ACDP side at this stage, let us keep up our personal hygiene, let us keep up our social distancing as far as possible.

Let us stay at home.

Let’s pray and let us stand firm with the knowledge that soon it will pass and we will be able to be with our loved ones.

God bless.
God bless.

John Steenhuisen, DA – As you now know, we will be moving out of the hard lockdown phase into what is called a smart risk-adjusted approach going forward.

This is essential to allow us to start opening up the economy and to keep South Africans’ livelihoods safe.

Managing the virus is going to take on a new phase, the hard lockdown was necessary and it has worked.
It was essential that we were able to flatten the curve and stop the spread, but now we’ve got to move into this new phase so that we can protect South Africans from the twin threat to life, of the spread of the virus, as well as the loss of livelihood.
This does not mean that the precautions that we have adopted over the last few weeks are a thing of the past, and certainly for the near future a number of things are going to remain with us – first of them is masks, mask wearing needs to become a culture in the whole of South Africa.

Every South African citizen should have a cloth mask that they wear in public places all the time to help stop the spread of the virus.
Social distancing is also going to remain with us, we need to make sure that whether we are in the shopping centres, or out in the street, or whether we are in the workplaces that will begin to open, we still continue practising social distancing, maintaining a two-metre distance from fellow citizens.

And hygiene – absolutely essential, always ensure that our hands are clean, either using a hand sanitiser with at least 70% alcohol or washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
INSESSION NEWS 13 The more we unite and work together against this enemy, the more we observe the regulations, the quicker we can shorten this restriction period and the sooner we can return to our way of life.

Our plea is that we must continue to observe the rules of the lockdown, we must continue to self-isolate, we must wear our masks.

We cannot afford to let our guard down at this critical stage.
As Parliament we continue to serve you remotely, while appropriately closer, to ensure that all the laws are observed and to ensure that all the constitutional responsibilities towards you are respected.

We have adopted a business unusual way of working as Parliament, as we contribute towards flattening the curve.

With an army of 56 million South Africans, coronavirus cannot win, please stay safe, please stay at home.

Bantu Holomisa, UDM – The UDM welcomes the country’s roadmap back to normality.
This balancing act will no doubt lead to the resuscitation of our economy, so that we don’t become a country of consumers.

Let us go back and do this in an orderly fashion.

Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus – The risk analysis approach to start to open the economy after the lockdown is in line with the proposal made by the Freedom Front Plus to the President.

We also agree with the different levels to ensure that we still curb the spreading of the virus.
We would like to see the details of the different levels because the devil lies in the detail.

The FF Plus would like to see that, for instance, stationery, IT equipment by means of courier services, can be made available.

We would also like to see micro-businesses allowed to open to start business because they are very vulnerable in this period.
We will wait to see the detail but we also say we must ensure that the spreading of the virus must be curbed or else we would have to go back to a total lockdown again.

And then we are going to have a special effort to keep those vulnerable safe during this time – that means if you are over 60 years or have pre-existing conditions – you need to practise some sense of isolation and take real care of your health at this particular time.
We’ve done well to get through this hard lockdown South Africa and it has only worked because you have played your part.

We need to continue playing our part as responsible citizens to make the smart lockdown work.

That means we have to continue playing our part in stopping the spread and flattening the curve and ensuring that we stay safe.

Thank you for your commitment to fighting this virus, we commit ourselves to stand on the frontline with the government.
We continue to put ideas on the table that will make it possible for us to beat this virus and get through this.

Thank you for your role South Africa, we only got this far because of you and your efforts.

Stay safe South Africa, we are going to beat this.

Speaker Thandi Modise – Compatriots, we live in extraordinary times – this lockdown period has forced us to change our way of life.

We now have to have our go-bag (a bag with supplies for use in an emergency) with us all the time.
We have to frequently wash our hands, we have learned social distancing, we have to stay indoors at home, we have time to reconnect with our families, we have time to reprioritise our own thoughts and our priorities.

This has not been easy, but also this has also not been in vain.

Our sacrifices, our commitments to the regulations of the lockdown have enabled us as a country to slow down the rate of infections and therefore to save many lives.

We know that this battle is far from over.


We know that we face a cruel enemy who respects no boundaries, no languages, no creeds, and no ideologies.

That is why we join the President in requesting you to please persevere a little longer, please endure a bit further this battle.

Your respect of the regulations of the lockdown has enabled our country to ease restrictions from level five to level four, as announced by the President.
Narend Singh, IFP – The IFP welcomes the carefully considered, measured and decisive approach adopted by the government to ease the lockdown restrictions in phases as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

We are pleased that the government, in consultation with an array of stakeholders, in particular local and global health authorities and agencies, has taken a phased approach to ease the lockdown restrictions.
Furthermore, we welcome the President’s approach in the consultative spirit in which he had called upon various industries to make submissions and possible proposals moving forward.

We are confident that the national Coronavirus Command Council will make the correct determination to balance the need for economic activity to resume to save the economy, but to form a safeguard and protect the lives of South Africans.
We want to caution the public to remain aware that the easing of the lockdown restrictions through various stages will not be set in a descending order due to the fact that fighting the spread of this various is a moving target.

Our country has come a long way, and has showed, with steely resolve and determination, that we can beat the community transmission of Covid-19 if we work together, remain at home and limit our movements to get essential needs and essential services only.
God bless South Africa, and God bless its people.

14 INSESSION NEWS Goldberg ‘a fountain of profound wisdom and an outstanding patriot’ Denis Theodore Goldberg who passed away on 29 April 2020 was a South African social campaigner, who was active in the struggle against apartheid.

He was accused No.

3 in the Rivonia Trial, alongside Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, and was the youngest of the defendants.
The last time the struggle veteran visited Parliament was when he attended the ceremony of the unveiling of the inscriptions of the key pillars of the Constitution in June 2018.

Asked to express his view about the unveiling of the inscriptions, Mr Goldberg said: “I am deeply humbled and very excited by being invited by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa – our people’s Parliament – to attend this historic unveiling of the inscriptions of the key pillars of the Constitution.
Above all, to assist President Cyril Ramaphosa to cut the ribbon unveiling the inscriptions of the key pillars of the Constitution.

I am very proud about that.


The inscriptions of the key pillars of the Constitution are not a mere symbolism of our freedom, but are stretching the values of our freedom.” Mr Goldberg said the inscriptions are part of the climax of the Freedom Charter of 1955 which followed the 1943 African Claims document which was part of the African National Congress Youth League’s Programme of Action.
“The demands for freedom now in our lifetime, equality before the law, and other freedoms were demanded in 1943.” Expressing Parliament’s collective sadness on the passing of Mr Goldberg, the Presiding Officers, led by National Assembly Speaker Ms Thandi Modise and the National Council of Provinces Chairperson Mr Amos Masondo, said Mr Goldberg comes from a generation of South African leaders with rare leadership qualities, humility, remarkable integrity and selflessness.
They said: “He was one of the activists, amongst them Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Andrew Mlangeni, Wilton Mkwayi and others who were charged with treason in the infamous Rivonia Trial of 1963.” The Presiding Officers added: “He was a living treasure; a fountain of profound wisdom, a combatant and outstanding patriot to the end.

South Africa wakes up poorer today without this giant leader of our people.
Despite his advanced age and poor health, he remained politically conscious, with a sharp mind and actively preoccupied with the cause for the betterment of the people of South Africa.” They extended their deepest sympathies and condolences to the Goldberg family, his friends, comrades and all whose causes he championed.