Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698830474702.pdf (South Africa)
Official newspaper of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa Vol 03 Issue 03, 2021 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA www.parliament.gov.za www.parliament.gov.za parliamentofrsa parliamentofrsa 2 Youth Day - Parliament calls on young people to help SA defeat covid19 and rebuild the economy Parliament’s Presiding Officers, led by Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Thandi Modise and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Mr Amos Masondo, joined the nation in commemorating Youth Day.
The historic event of 16 June Additionally, the Labour Force Fourth Industrial Revolution efforts will help build a 1976 still echoes in our minds Survey indicates a rise in the were amongst issues sharply better quality of life for all as it remains immortalised in unemployment rate, meaning raised in the 2020 youth young people free from all South Africa.

Young people the official unemployment parliament.


Young people social ills”, said the Presiding of South Africa rejected the rate among the youth (18 advocated for the overhaul Officers.

brutal apartheid system -34 years) stands at 46.3 per of the education system and As we mark Youth Day, by mobilising themselves cent in the first quarter of the strengthening of the Parliament urges South and peacefully taking to 2021.

The rate of unemployed TVET colleges.


It will help Africans to work for hand in the streets demanding university graduates stands at mainstream them to be ‘job glove with the government that their voices be heard.

9.3%.

creators rather than ‘job and help curb the spread The march was against an This scenario has caused the seeker’.

of COVID-19.
of COVID-19.

As the country unjust education system Sixth Parliament to prioritise Young people also called for moved back to alert level-3 to aimed at undermining and skills development through widened opportunities to learn curb the spread of infections, restricting their intellectual its constitutional mandate skills and optimise the Fourth the Presiding Officers called development.

The cruel to oversee executive action.

Industrial Revolution.


As such, on all citizens, young people apartheid system violently Most of this work is done at to ensure that issues receive in particular, to adhere to all retaliated, killing many committee level, also known the necessary attention, one health safety protocols.

unarmed young people.


The as Parliament’s engine rooms of the mechanisms employed “We owe it to the 1976 young event became a defining where government ministers by Parliament to establish liberators to ensure that we moment in the history of and senior government progress on work done by build the South Africa of South Africa serving as a officials are held accountable the ministers is through our dreams free from the stark reminder to all that democracy was achieved for their actions.
Further, through its ministerial briefing sessions.

In August, the National pandemic and social ills.

We shall overcome this traumatic through bloodshed and constitutional mandate of Council of Provinces will period because we are a sacrifice.

providing a national forum have a Ministerial Briefing nation of hope.
We want According to the Presiding for public consideration of Session on Youth Poverty young people to be at the Officers “there is no doubt issues, the hosting of the and Unemployment themed: helm, driving the economic that young people in South youth parliament helps “Interventions to address recovery post the pandemic.

Africa today face a myriad young people bring to the youth unemployment and It is possible as the young of challenges, including the fore their challenges.

In poverty”.
In poverty”.

people are ready to exploit high rate of unemployment return, Parliament can gauge “Through our constitutional all opportunities provided by accompanied by various forms the pulse of the youth and mandate and power, the pandemic through the 4th of social ills, poverty and the activate a programme of Parliament commits to Industrial revolution”, added difficulties associated with the action.

addressing issues affecting the Presiding Officers.
COVID-19 pandemic.” Skills development and the young people.

Our collective INSESSION NEWS YOUTH DAY DEBATE 3 NCOP Youth Day Debate – SA Youth are central to meeting the goals of the NDP The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) held a debate to mark Youth Day on the theme: Youth Development Through Access to Higher Education and Expanded Access to Skills Development, writes Abel Mputing.
Speakers affirmed the centrality of South African youth in the developmental agenda and political future of the South African youth.

inclusive growth.

Another NCOP delegate, Ms Brenda Mathevula, said today’s youth are still subjected to the same hardships as 45 years ago.
“They are still getting shot and arrested by government when they call for equal and free education.” Like before, she said it’s still the black youth in underprivileged communities in rural areas that are compelled to study under the trees, in mud schools, with no textbooks and to be subjected to unqualified teachers.

Under these conditions, the black youth will continue to have no full participation in the economy because they will remain unemployed, unemployable and uneducated.
NCOP Delegate, Mr Stephenus du Toit, said despite all the huge investment in education, billions of rands go to waste due to mismanagement in the sector.

This has affected the youth’s skills development programmes and led to the loss of job opportunities.

However, he urged young people not to give up hope.

A Member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Mr Beki Lubes, advocated for the youth to be employed in the agricultural sector.
This will ensure food security and make them aware of the value chain of this sector, the career paths and entrepreneurial opportunities it can afford them, and this will reduce the rate youth unemployment.

Mr Mbulelo Bara called on the private sector to invest In his opening address, the from poor backgrounds.
Well “Many South African youth Deputy Minister of Higher over R25 billion has been set is born in poverty and find Education, Mr Buti Manamela, aside to support students in it difficult to have access to reminded that this year’s universities for textbooks and tertiary education.
And if they celebration marks 25 years living expenses.” do and are qualified, they since the adoption of a can’t find decent jobs because democratic Constitution and To prepare the youth for this economy can’t carry their 45 years after the outbreak of the challenges of the Fourth hopes.” the June16 Soweto Uprising.
Industrial Revolution, the The government’s primary department has heightened She advised the government goal, he said, is to ensure that its investment in technology to encourage the youth to take the youth acquires education to avert the digital divide artisan careers to gain the and training to obtain the brought about by the advent necessary skills to “compete, skills necessary to meet the goals of the National of Covid-19 and to encourage the youth to acquire critical to enter and stay in the labour market.
And to contribute Development Plan (NDP).

digital skills to curb skills in building our country’s shortages in this constantly economy”.

“We have a resolve to skill the expanding sector.
black youth by ensuring there One of the young delegates is an increased uptake of black However, during the debate, to the NCOP, Mr Itumeleng youth in higher education many participants noted Ntsube, called for the to expand and address skills shortages that are needed and that the weak economy would struggle to carry the broadening of black economic empowerment requirements their active participation in the aspirations of the South to include the youth and labour market.

This is linked African youth.


Ms Karabo women.
This will integrate to the department’s increase Khahau of the Free State them into the mainstream of funding for black students Provincial Legislature said: economy and bring about Editor Brent Simons Production editor Mava Lukani Design and layout MIND TRIX MEDIA Copy editors Jane Henshall, Vusumzi Nobadula Writers Mava Lukani, Abel Mputing, Sakhile Mokoena, Sureshinee Govender, Malatswa Molepo, Sibongile Maputi, Rajaa Azzakani Photography Mlandeli Puzi, Zwelethemba Kostile Distribution & subscriptions Jacqueline Zils Publisher Parliament of the Republic of South Africa Printer Vision Enterprises Section Manager: Publishing and Production Shirley Montsho Copyright INSESSION is 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 E-mail tours@parliament.gov.za 4 in technical colleges to improve their standards and make them the institutions of choice for the youth.
He added that the government should play a role in creating awareness of the relevance of technical colleges in our economy and in addressing skills shortages in the job market.
“Government must promote technical colleges as an alternative sector for skills development, youth entrepreneurship, career paths and employment if we were to ensure that the youth play an active role in our mainstream economy, in their lifetime.” marked the instant arousal of political consciousness among the oppressed and was given expression through the slogans which began to proliferate across the length and breadth of our country, calling not only for the reversal of the government’s language policy, but expressed brazen demands to end apartheid and grant political freedom and equality to all.
ML: We are told that the protest was inherently non- violent.

Some of today’s students have been known to torch and destroy their resources to put pressure on the authorities.

What is your comment?

MM: Following on the deaths resulting from police brutality in trying to disperse the marchers on the day, the evening sky was lit by scores of government buildings that were set alight by township residents angered by the police use of live ammunition against unarmed student protesters.
All government infrastructure was targeted, as it was seen as representing the apartheid system.

It must be reiterated that it was never the intention of the organisers of the marchers to be violent.

However, our alienation from these representations of apartheid rule over us was total.

As they say, the genie was out of the bottle, and it was never going back.
Struggle stalwart remembers June 16, 1976 This year marks the 45th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 student uprisings., Insession writer Mava Lukani took the opportunity to talk to Mr Murphy Morobe, who was a student leader at Morris Isaacson High School on that fateful day.

MM: Tsietsi Mashinini’s leadership qualities were not in doubt among those of us who were involved with him in the Morris Isaacson branch of the South African Student Movement.
An articulate and extroverted individual, he was to be the natural choice for chairmanship of the Action Committee we established on 13 June 1976 with the primary responsibility of organising the entire high school student body of Soweto to take to the streets in protest on 16 June.

He, like most of us, embraced a vision of a South Africa in which of the student uprising and its education would be free and driving force?
MM: Morris Isaacson was one of a number of high schools in underpinned by values of democracy, itself predicated on the key principle of black liberation from the yoke of Mr Murphy Morobe Mava Lukani: Your demand of “Down with Afrikaans” in your memorandum of demands was a lobbying point and one of the students’ central demands.

Soweto that took the struggle apartheid.

to the streets on the June 16.


Murphy Morobe: To us, “Down with Afrikaans!” It was Orlando West Junior Secondary School, together ML: June, 16 1976 will remain as a watershed day was a rebellion, not against with Belle Primary School, that in the history of the South the language per se, but had been boycotting classes in African struggle and this year against its application by protest against Afrikaans long marks the 45th anniversary the apartheid regime as before June 16.
It was through of that fateful day.

What is a tool for the deepening the mobilisation of all the high your comment on that?

of oppression against schools by the South African Africans.

We understood its Student Movement (SASM) imposition as having nothing that a critical mass of student MM: There can be no gainsaying the fact that to do with the educational advancement of the black support was reached, leading up to the day of the march.
So the event of June 16th, 45 years ago, was pivotal in child, but rather a well- while Morris Isaacson played changing and expediting the established disposition of a pivotal role, it cannot be course of liberation leading conquerors to diminish the solely characterised as the to victory over the apartheid conquered of their sense of “springboard” of the student government.

From protesting self-esteem by denying them uprising.
their inalienable right to their language in which their values and cultural norms ML: You were in the same class with Tsietsi Mashinini.

against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in black schools, the protest rapidly are embedded.

Can you briefly tell us about progressed from being ML: Was Morris Isaacson High School the springboard him and his vision for a non- merely about the language racial and democratic future issue to a full-blown struggle South Africa?
against apartheid rule.

It INSESSION NEWS PARLIAMENT PEO 5 Youth in the Covid-19 era and beyond: Development through free higher education and expanded access to skills development The Covid-19 pandemic has left devastating effects on all people across the globe.

In South Africa, the impact of Covid-19 is felt by every part of society, particularly young women and men, girls and boys.
Over the years, the South African youth faced challenges ranging from academic and economic exclusion to limited entrepreneurial support.

These challenges are worsened by the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, writes Parliament’s Public Education Office.

to present a logical solution promote leadership, and foster the economy towards digital to enforcing social distancing partnerships across various transformation.

within communities, fronts.


The NDP also mandates prolonged closures tend to the government to develop a During the briefing session, have a disproportionately national e-strategy, which will the department discussed negative impact on the most underpin the development its annual performance plan vulnerable students.

They of an inclusive information (APP) including plans to have fewer opportunities society and knowledge transition the economy to for learning at home, and economy.
The government’s the digital era.

Some of the their time out of school economic recovery plan must key outcomes reflected in the may present economic include and involve the youth department’s five-year plan burdens for parents who may to ease the impact of COVID-19 (2020-2025) include: face challenges in finding on young South Africans.
• Plans to implement digital prolonged childcare, or even transformation legislation; adequate food in the absence Youth development • Amendment of the Electronic of school meals.

There is a advancement goals and Communications and need to balance the return commitments are outlined Transactions Act (2002) to to school and managing the in the National Youth Policy create enabling legislation associated risks of Covid-19 to 2020 (NYP2020).

Free for the digital transformation learners and educators.
Many higher education and skills of the South African tertiary level learners may not development are urged economy; and complete their studies and through bursaries (e.g.

• Implementation of the might not qualify to enter the National Student Financial Digital and Future Skills formal job market, joining Aid Scheme and the strategy, to ensure that the the thousands of unemployed Lushaka Bursary Scheme), majority of South Africans young people (Mhlanga & internships and learnerships.
are skilled in the aspects of Moloi, 2020).

The initiation, facilitation, digital transformation.

implementation, coordination The Bill of Rights addresses and monitoring of youth The Digital and Future Skills the need and responsibility development interventions to Strategy has since been of the state to put measures reduce youth unemployment gazetted and is a public in place “to promote the is the core mandate of the document.
achievement of equality” National Youth Development and “to protect or advance Agency (NYDA).

Youth need Parliament’s Portfolio Government’s response to learning has been carried out persons, or categories of to engage with the NYDA Committee on Covid-19 and the impact on by means of the combination persons, disadvantaged by to identify opportunities young people guided by the of face-to-face and online unfair discrimination”.
This available to improve their lives Communications will monitor the implementation of the Disaster Management Act to ensure that learning means that the time for digital by actively participating in department’s plan and (2002), Covid-19 regulations takes place in the changing transformation for South youth development initiatives.

ensure accountability.

Young were put in place to combat lockdown levels.

The lingering Africa has arrived.


It requires people must participate to the spread of the coronavirus.

question, “Is the youth well an inclusive approach that Parliament’s response to the make sure that laws being It is not business as usual.

For example, educational prepared and equipped to adjust to these movements benefits every South African, particularly young people, youth of the Covid-19 era processed by Parliament represent their views.
Youth institutions have had to to the digitisation of the irrespective of geographic Parliament’s committees also have a crucial role to change the way in which economy?” (Mhlanga & Moloi, location and other divides.

have also had to adapt to play in Parliament’s oversight learning takes place.

In 2020).
In 2020).

There are disparities in new ways of carrying out function and the accountability response to dealing with terms of inequitable social and The National Development their law-making, oversight of government departments.
lockdown regulations, new economic status and digital Plan (NDP) presents a way and public involvement Those affected by a decision ways of working and learning access to ensure equal entry forward for the successful mandate in the work of have a right to be involved in have taken effect.

At the into online learning and in the transformation of our nation.

Parliament.

For example, the decision-making process, beginning of lockdown, new working realities.
Not all It sets out how to do this by the Portfolio Committee including its monitoring and physical and face-to-face South African learners are able drawing on the skills and on Communications evaluation.
This process will classroom and lecture-based to access and benefit from the energies of the nation to grow called the Department of ensure that youth have their learning was replaced by combination of face-to-face a more inclusive economy, Communications and Digital say on all matters of concern online learning platforms.

and online learning.


enhance the capacity of the state, build new capabilities, Technologies for a briefing to discuss their plans to move to them, including job creation opportunities to alleviate Since lockdown level 4, “While school closures seem 6 poverty and acquiring the target should reach 7% by necessary skills to adapt to the 2030 and the shortages of new normal.
Participation of youth in special needs schools should be addressed; • Enterprises must get Parliament’s legislative contracts only if they can and other processes of demonstrate that 25% of contributes to a multi-sectoral their employees are youth; participatory democracy • Create a state bank that that emphasises the broad will address the challenges participation of stakeholders of lack of access to finance in the direction and operation for micro and small medium of governance.
The Youth enterprises and youth Parliament held in 2020 owned enterprises; agreed to resolutions to • The NYDA should help advance the interests of youth.

young people formulate One of the resolutions was to successful business realise free education for all.

plans before they submit applications for funding; Active citizenship must be • Youth business ventures in facilitated and encouraged by the agriculture sector must remembering the sacrifices be encouraged; made by the youth of 1976.
• There should be a transition By doing so, the youth can strategy for youth to move build on this legacy and from internships to jobs; contribute to the realisation of • Open up government the goals of the African Youth infrastructure to private Charter (2006).
This charter companies that support the provides a strategic framework employment of youth; for youth empowerment and • Provide a grant for youth development activities at looking for work to cover the continental, regional and the cost of preparing and NA Speaker highlights need to invest in ICT Tabling of Parliament’s Budget Vote in the National Assembly (NA), the Speaker of the NA, Ms Thandi Modise, highlighted the need for the national legislature to invest in information and communications technology (ICT) and have a relook at the employment processes and models to adjust to the fast-changing world of work, Sakhile Mokoena.
Ms Modise said in response (MPs) to ensure that they Joint Standing Committee on to the coronavirus, Parliament adequately represent the the Financial Management national levels across Africa.

It sending CVs to prospective had to adjust to new public.
addresses key issues affecting employers; organisational and procedural of Parliament, Ms Peace Mabe, said the submissions youth, including youth • Youth Parliament should solutions for legislative work Ms Modise also acknowledged at the Zondo Commission of participation, employment, not be a once off event and to continue during Covid-19.
that though times have Inquiry into allegations of sustainable livelihoods, Parliament should prepare “We are ready to accept that changed, the country and state capture were critical education, skills development, a progress report on health, national youth policy, progress made on issues peace and security, law raised in previous Youth enforcement, youth in the Parliaments; and diaspora, and youth with • There must be greater representation of youth and vulnerable groups in Parliament.

disabilities.
YOUTH PARLIAMENT 2020 RESOLUTIONS • Reconsider the film and television sector support by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to ensure that it supports youth and local companies; • Develop youth specific incentives to support programmes, similar to the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) for black entrepreneurs; • Develop strategies in collaboration with the private sector to reduce the cost of data for the purposes of education and small businesses; • Free education for all must be realised; • Persons with disabilities virtual, hybrid and work from world were still dealing and should be used as a home systems will be with us with poverty, inequality and lesson to improve the work for a while as we must hold rising joblessness, and that of Parliament.
the executive to account.

The the coronavirus pandemic challenges of the lockdown has simply increased and “The submissions have notwithstanding, we exaggerated the contradictions taught us that our managed to have oversight under a non-performing world committees are not work (first in clusters and economy, which engender adequately resourced, are then as committees).

Reports deep feelings of fear and not vigilant enough, do were produced.

Oversight frustration.

visits were conducted.


not follow through enough and often are reliant Law-making sessions took She also touched on the on what comes before place.

Public hearings were Constitutional Court ruling them rather than taking held; interviews for crucial that independent candidates what is presented as a government posts were should be allowed to stand trigger to begin their own held; quarterly reports, and for office without belonging investigations.

budget votes conducted.


Our to any political party, and said international work, as well as international agreements, Parliament must meet the deadline given by the court to “Our oversight must ask questions, follow up were processed.

We held at enact the required law.

on issues and not draw least 48 virtual meetings.” assumptions.
When Parliament also hopes to allegations are made, The Speaker also affirmed increase public awareness by committees must demand that Parliament will continue featuring programmes and facts and evidence and act to focus on the resolve to documentaries on Parliament informed by the balance strengthen its performance and to improve efficiency in TV, to boost access to information and educational of evidence.
For this to happen, we have to address law-making and oversight, materials to the public, and to the resources allocated to and to constantly look at the increase participation in law- Parliament,” Ms Mabe said.

performance and needs of making and oversight.


committees and individual Members of Parliament The Co-Chairperson of the She said the current budget allocation to Parliament, INSESSION NEWS PARLIAMENT BUDGET VOTE 7 by the admission of the to make Parliament truly funds that Parliament saved Mulder said.

National Treasury, is going the people’s Parliament.

Our from travel and hoisting but some MPs that failed South Africa.
It is regrettable to have a negative impact people from Mpumalanga, events such as the State of The African Christian that the Speaker apologised on Parliament’s efforts to Limpopo, North West, Free the Nation Address should be Democratic Party (ACDP) for Parliament, but it was increase its effectiveness.
State and some people from reallocated to Parliamentary wants Parliament to return not Parliament that failed, it Parliament’s allocation for KwaZulu-Natal will be able Constituency Offices to ensure to a state of normality and was ANC deployees and MPs this financial year is R2.6 to drive to Parliament, make these were fully functional for the Covid-19 state of that failed South Africa.

While billion.

Ms Mabe proposed their input on legislation, hold and resourced.
“These offices emergency regulations to be the opposition tried to hold a thorough review on how the executive to account and should be functioning as a subjected to parliamentary the executive to account, the Parliament is resourced still be able to go back to their conduit allowing constituency scrutiny.
“If we are serious ruling party mollycoddled without compromising families, something that they challenges and problems about holding the executive and defended the executive on its independence and cannot do currently because to reach the highest levels to account, we need to amend in committees and in the constitutional status.

Cape Town for many is a very of government.

However, the Disaster Management House”.

foreign country”.
looking at the budget set Act to improve parliamentary The Deputy Chief Whip of the aside for constituency offices oversight and to stop The National Freedom Official Opposition in the NA, Mr Narend Signh, the and allowances, the objective executive encroachment on Party’s Mr Ahmed Shaik- Mr Jacques Julius, claimed Chief `Whip of the Inkatha of taking Parliament to the the legislative authority of Emam was concerned about that the Parliament’s Freedom Party (IFP) in the people will most certainly not Parliament,” said Mr Steve the lack of follow-up on programmes, targets and NA, commended Parliament be met.
Swart of the ACDP.

committee oversight reports performance indicators are for its response to Covid-19 and implementation of skewed, and that there was by adopting a new normal “The IFP suggests that we The call for Parliament to recommendations.

“The issue no performance indicator as well as embracing the utilise the savings from go back to normality was of oversight is a concern.
for quality on the budget Fourth Industrial Revolution in travel and other costs and supported by Mr Nqabayomzi While all political parties vote.

“These targets and terms of the manner in which reallocate them to ensure Kwankwa of the United participate in the oversight performance indicators will parliamentary business was that constituency offices are Democratic Movement (UDM) process, all we do when we not wake up Parliament.

This conducted.
This conducted.

viable conduits in addressing with the view that “while come back is that the reports budget will keep Parliament and attending to queries virtual meetings have served are adopted by Parliament.

fast asleep and an expected “The question that must be apology again over the years asked is whether we were from members of the public,” added Mr Singh.

their purpose, but to some That’s where it ends and it extent Parliament is beginning goes into the bin, with very to come,” said Mr Julius.
able to fulfil our mandate and to lose its home ground little or nothing happening, no He also accused of the citizenry.

The answer the Freedom Front Plus meetings”.

He also suggested reports and our findings, and parliamentarians from the to some extent is in the dismissed the argument that that at some point Parliament we believe that is a problem,” responsibilities as servants Mr Corne Mulder of advantage due to virtual consequences based on the ruling party of not doing affirmative.
We admit we have Parliament’s problems stem needs to consider conducting he said.

enough to hold the executive passed budget, considered from inadequately resourced a study on the effectiveness of accountable and called on legislation, received committees.

“In my view the virtual oversight meetings.

Mr Shaik-Emam also them to “ask uncomfortable ministerial reports and had problem is that the executive demanded better clarity questions and stop the question sessions.
However, and legislative branches of Reacting to the Speaker’s on the management of sweetheart questions” due to Covid-19 we were the state are too close to one submission to the Zondo constituency funds, saying to Ministers and Deputy not able to engage with the another, if there is stronger Commission where she currently there is not enough Ministers.

public as per normal.


We are separation between the apologised for Parliament’s clarity on exactly what the accountable to the people in executive and the legislative failure to follow up on funds can and cannot be used The Economic Freedom the first place,” he said.

branch, it will be better allegations of state capture, for.
“We want more clarity, but Fighters (EFF), through its and more easy to keep the Mr Kwankwa argued that “it also importantly, to ensure Member of Parliament, Ms Mr Singh suggested that the executive to account,” Mr was not Parliament that failed, that those funds are used for Veronica Mente, rejected the proposed budget of Parliament, arguing that it was informed by “a misguided austerity doctrine which seeks to collapse the state, including the collapse of the democratically elected public representatives to hold the government accountable”.
She also added her voice on the debate about the feasibility of relocating Parliament, saying that to continue to have Parliament in Cape Town was “simply to please colonial arrangements that sought to bring together white colonial racists.

We must move Parliament to a central location accessible to the majority of our people the right purpose, that is, to promote Parliament to the people,” said Mr Shaik-Emam.
Al Jama’ah complained about the lack of support from the Parliamentary Legal Services to smaller parties in drafting and processing Private Members’ Bills (PMB).

“Where Parliament is lacking in supporting Private Members’ Bills by smaller parties, they can’t discriminate against us.

We submitted a PMB some time ago and there seems to be no progress.

Smaller parties must be given the same assistance as the governing party,” pleaded Al Jama’ah Member of the National Assembly, Mr Ganief Hendricks.
8 Covid-19 increases Parliament’s resolve to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution In the Parliament’s Budget Vote, the Chairperson of the National Council of Province (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo, gave a broad overview of how the NCOP fared in the last financial year and what it seeks to improve on, writes Abel Mputing.

parliamentary programme enterprises, which all require to provide more time for different skills sets,” she said.

committee and constituency activities.


Mr Moletsane Moletsane said Parliament’s 8.7% cut Amidst the need to improve is higher than that of the MPs’ law-making and government departments.

oversight capacities and “How is Parliament expected to ensure Parliament is to fulfil its mandate when its innovative in executing budget is lower than those it’s its mandate, Mr Masondo meant to oversee?” he asked.

mentioned the impact of budget cuts.
“There are Making an analogy to projections of R257 million underscore the effect of cuts in 2021/22, R339 budget cuts, the House million in 2022/23 and Chairperson for Committees, R296 million in 2023/24.” Mr Jomo Nyambi, said: “How This will put a squeeze on do you expect under-resourced Parliament’s strategic plans police officers to pursue and Parliament has therefore wealthy criminals?” Comparing called on Treasury to consider South Africa to the United parliament’s budgetary Kingdom (UK), he said: “In baseline review.
the UK, a committee Member has more than five assistants, Participating in the debate, ranging from legal and policy Ms Sonja Boshoff, expressed experts to economists if need concern about the lack of be in order for the committee robust engagement with the Member to have sufficient legislation that comes before support to conduct his or her the NCOP.

“This contributes work efficiently.


With so much to the NCOP simply rubber- cuts, that is a bridge too far stamping the National for us.” Assembly’s decisions.

The NCOP must take its law- The Chief Whip of the NCOP, making mandate seriously,” Mr Seiso Mohai, said there she reiterated.
is a growing realisation that the constitutional role of the Ms Dikeledi Mahlangu NCOP needs to be reviewed in said the NCOP’s work is order for it to play a catalytic highly complex and that role in provincial matters, local the workshops offered to government and traditional Members of Parliament (MPs) authorities.

to familiarise themselves Mr Masondo reflected on have to be built to ensure that with its work are insufficient.
This review would frame the impact on Parliament’s Members and staff are able to In spite of challenges, Mr Turning to law-making, she the new conceptual and work of Covid-19 and budget adopt and embrace these new Masondo pointed out that remarked that the legal strategic direction of public cuts, as well as Parliament’s technologies and capabilities.

the NCOP adopted 25 Bills, interpretation of law during participation and should swift adjustment to such forming part of the NCOP’s law-making is critical.
Instead consist of stakeholders challenges.

In response to Despite challenges, the digital contribution to bettering of being capacitated with this from government and civil Covid-19, he stated: “We migration has increased public the lives of the people.

In skill set, “we are made to rely society to academia.

This will responded quickly and decisively by adopting participation.
“The majority of line with its constitutional on the technical assistance assist the NCOP to have an the meetings of committees, mandate to protect the of Parliament’s legal outcomes-based approach virtual and hybrid platforms public hearings and plenaries integrity of the three spheres department.

As a result, we that “measures its success to ensure that we fulfilled of the Houses of Parliament of government, Mr Masondo become dependent on them and its failures objectively”.
our constitutional mandate whilst minimising the were broadcast and streamed live on social media channels said: “We processed 14 notices of intervention in the local and we are never in a position to master it”.

It will also assist the NCOP to rise and claim its rightful risk of transmission in the and radio, and this increased sphere of government.
But role in the intergovernmental parliamentary precinct.” the level of public access and we remain worried by the She said this applies to sphere of the state.

“And it’s While Parliament embraced Parliament,” he added.

repeat interventions.” our orientation, we are not far greater battles ahead.” participation in the work of increase in the number of oversight as well.
“During necessary because we have the Fourth Industrial Revolution in conducting its Mr Masondo said Parliament One of the critical equipped with the necessary skills to analyse policies, to work, the advent of Covid-19 is also on course with its plans interventions in this financial have consummate financial hastened this resolve.
“Our towards free-to-air television year, he said, is the inception acumen, monitoring and view is that the impact of and the creation of radio of an oversight plan to evaluation capabilities to the ‘new normal’ will require broadcast services that will coordinate oversight priorities conduct effective and efficient Parliament to continue to sustain over 90% awareness and activities of committees, oversight over the provinces, accelerate its digital journey.” He conceded that capacity will levels and continue to boost participation levels.
Houses and legislatures, including changes to the departments and the complex web of state-owned INSESSION NEWS PRESIDENCY BUDGET VOTE 9 President outlines plans to overhaul & stabilise state-owned enterprises The Presidency’s Budget Vote was the last to be tabled for debate in the National Assembly (NA), one of the final steps in an intensive parliamentary process of scrutinising and analysing government’s allocations and spending plans.
The President promised better coordination and implementation of government programmes, reports Sakhile Mokoena.

pandemic and respond to future health emergencies.” said President Ramaphosa.

Furthermore, the government has had to deal with the impact of coronavirus on human health and respond to its impact on the economy, on businesses, on jobs and on people’s livelihoods.
These responses have included wage support, expanded protection, small business financing by government and a loan guarantee scheme to support banking sector lending.

The support package has helped to shield society from some of the economic damages and laid the basis for a concerted plan to ensure a strong and sustained economic recovery.
Members of the NA react to the Presidency Budget Vote As parliamentary rules dictate, the first political party to react to the Budget Vote was the majority party, the African National Congress (ANC).

On this occasion, the ANC’s Deputy Chief Whip, Ms. Doris Dlakude, declared the ANC’s support for the budget.

She spoke about her party’s commitment to fight fraud and corruption in government, as well as its transformation agenda.

“Corruption is the cancer that is slowly destroying our beautiful country.
We are tired of being labelled as corrupt just because we are members of the ANC.

It cannot be business as usual that we are all painted with the same brush.

Corruption doesn’t have a name or a surname; those found to have committed fraud and corruption must be dealt with accordingly, be it in Mr Cyril Ramaposa, President of the Republic of South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa of our country.
To date, the achieve a single objective, the role, governance and opened the debate by Presidential Employment demonstrating the powerful composition of this crucial explaining that the work of Stimulus has supported nearly results of a whole-of- portfolio of entities.

Through his office gives substance 700 000 opportunities,” government approach.

A the Presidential SOE Council, to cooperative governance President Ramaphosa said.
further R11 billion has been we have created a dedicated and facilitates private/ allocated for the continuation structure, tapping on expertise public partnerships to build a Of these, 422 000 are jobs of the Presidential from all of society, to guide capable and developmental that have been created or Employment Stimulus in the this reform,” he told the state.

This budget, he retained, 110 000 are awards current financial year,” he said.

National Assembly.
National Assembly.

explained, seeks to create a issued for livelihoods support, more effective Presidency in and a further 162 000 are The President also reported on Meanwhile, on the mass directing and coordinating opportunities where awards plans to stabilise state-owned Covid-19 vaccination the implementation of are currently in process.

The enterprises (SOEs), saying programme, the President government programmes.
Presidency has developed that while there has been acknowledged that the rollout Since the start of President an online dashboard where important progress, these was delayed by several Ramaphosa’s administration, citizens can track progress in efforts will not be sufficient, challenges, but assured MPs the office has made efforts the implementation of the on their own, to enable these (Members of Parliament) that to realign the Presidency to stimulus, pioneering a new entities to make a contribution the public vaccination drive is more effectively drive the transformation of society and approach to transparency and accountability.
The stimulus to economic and social progress.

now gathering pace.

the economy.

has played a crucial role In addition, South Africa in supporting vulnerable “That is why government is leading a campaign to “Eight months ago, we households to keep working envisages a fundamental create vaccine manufacturing launched the Presidential and earning an income, while overhaul of the SOE capabilities on the African Employment Stimulus, the at the same time benefitting model to address not only continent.
“Despite the high largest and fastest scale-up the communities in which the deficiencies of the burden of disease in Africa, of public employment in our they work.

immediate past, but also we have to import most of country’s history.

And, since the requirements of national our vaccines, therapeutics its inception, this programme “It has incubated new development into the future.

and other medications.


has been making a difference approaches to coordination The Presidential Review Manufacturing our own in the lives of South Africans and collaboration across Committee on SOEs laid the vaccines will enable us across the length and breadth the government to foundations for rethinking to overcome the current 10 government or private sector,” says.

“In 2018 you said at the Parliament,” Prince Buthelezi Mr Ahmed Shaik-Emam, also municipalities, in departments said Ms Dlakude.
centre of your national agenda proposed.

reminded South Africans not and in state-owned entities,” The Deputy Chief Whip also for the youth.

The Quarterly FF+ citizens have a right to countries like Palestine in is creating jobs, especially to forget the role played by he said.
urged South Africans to Labour Force Survey picture protect themselves supporting South Africa during Speaking about corruption, stand together behind the points to a dire state of affairs, The Freedom Front (FF) Plus the apartheid years.

the President said it deprives Constitution and be part of a crisis that you have created.

was concerned about the the poor of resources that are efforts to build a non-sexist, Unemployment stands at planned amendments to the The GOOD party was rightfully theirs.
It starves the non-racist and democratic more than 42%, and close to Firearms Control Act, arguing concerned about the economy of investment in South Africa.

“The National 50% for black people is the this move would deny citizens unemployment figures and that those who would want Development Plan urges us worst level ever,” said Mr the right to protect themselves poor economic growth.

to invest in our economy to collaborate as a nation to Malema.

from criminals.
from criminals.

“It is an GOOD MP, Mr Shaun August, are kept away by the stench advance the transformation obligation of the President to said getting the economy of corruption.

“It leads to agenda.


This means that civil The EFF also claimed that ensure a capable and effective back to growth must be the a degradation of public society, religious bodies and the President did not believe police service to protect the responsibility of every sector infrastructure and services, communities across the board in the expropriation of land people of South Africa against and not just government, to and tragically, it ultimately must stand in unity with without compensation, and criminals.
If people cannot be heed the call to put South costs lives.” government in order to build a was not convinced about protected by the South African Africa back on track.

cohesive society,” she said.

taking the land from colonial Police Service, how do you He said the Presidency was settlers.
“We want the expect them not to be able to Mr Lulama Ntshayisa of determined to address all the While the ANC applauded the Constitution to recognise that protect themselves by means the African Independent challenges, both those rooted Presidency’s performance land, like mineral resources of firearms?
Please stop this Congress (AIC) also supported deep in our past and those and declared support for and water, is a natural insane amendment of the the proposal to have a that manifest themselves the President’s plans, other resource and a common Firearms Act,” said FF Plus parliamentary committee today.

political parties in the National heritage which belongs to all Leader, Mr Pieter Groenewald.

that will be responsible for Assembly were dissatisfied our people.
Let us expropriate oversight on the Presidency.

with the Presidency’s all land and place it under The African Christian He also called for the vaccine performance, with some even the custodianship of the Democratic Party (ACDP) also rollout to be fast-tracked, as proposing the establishment democratic state,” he said.

added its opposition voice to currently the “vaccine rollout of a parliamentary committee the proposed amendments was very slow compared to to oversee the Presidency.
He further explained that to the Firearms Act.

“The the speed at which the virus is custodianship is not the same ACDP wants to know why the spreading”.
The Democratic Alliance’s Mr as nationalisation: “When we government plans to disarm Dean Macpherson, accused the talk about nationalisation, law-abiding citizens and deny The Congress of the People’s President of “breaking every the state takes full control them the right to protect (Cope’s) Willie Madisha urged single promise” he made to of whatever asset and uses themselves against criminals,” the President to reduce the the country, after filling the whatever is nationalised for said ACDP MP, Mr Steve Swart.
executive by merging some nation with hope and new the collective benefit of the departments.

The party also dawn.

“You promised growth population.

However, when Mr Bantu Holomisa of the wants the President to rescue of 5% by 2023, you delivered we talk about custodianship, United Democratic Movement important SOEs and deal with 1,9% this year.

You promised the state does not take the (UDM) said: “Mr President, the corruption.

one million paid internships, land to use it.


The land is Constitution empowers you you only delivered 32 000 only in the state’s custody as to appoint Ministers, but also Responding to the debate, by 2019.

You promised jobs a conduit or to facilitate for to remove them.

You never President Ramaphosa said to young people, today 74% people to access land.” act, not even when there is the impact of the Covid-19 of them are unemployed.
evidence of corruption, with pandemic has set the You promised to halve Inkatha Freedom Party Leader, these nauseating exposures country’s economic progress violent crime, yet there is an Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, of Ministers and their families back many years.

“It has increase in rape and murder.

questioned the President on thriving due to access to made South Africans poorer.
You promised to get rid of why the government only government business, like It has made hunger more corruption, yet you have implemented reforms and Minister Mkhize and the widespread and it has directly a Health Minister mired in lowered the cost of doing allegation that he signed the affected the health and allegations of corruption,” Mr business in response to R150 million contract with well-being of hundreds of Macpherson stated.
Covid-19, while the economy Digital Vibes, which paid for thousands of people.

It has He also called for the scrapping of black economic has been struggling for decades.

the family’s house renovations and also gave R300 000 to, made the task of growing an inclusive economy and and bought a Land Cruiser for transforming our society that empowerment (BEE) and for He also raised concerns his son.” much more difficult,” he said.
the government to “build the over the absence of a economy for the many and parliamentary committee The National Freedom Party But it is equally important, he not for the few”.

responsible for oversight on (NFP) used the debate to continued, that we recognise the Presidency.
“The need for advocate for the downgrading that our own weaknesses and EFF accuses the President of a parliamentary committee of the South African Embassy shortcomings have hampered lacking inspiration to oversee the Presidency in Israel, in order to put the task of building a new Mr Julius Malema, the Leader is becoming urgent.

We are pressure on Israel to respect society and achieving a better of the Economic Freedom not able to scrutinise the international law and human life for all.
“We must, as we Fighters (EFF), said the budget at committee level.

rights.
President lacks inspiration and doesn’t believe in what he Let us open the Presidency for scrutiny and oversight by this NFP Member of Parliament, have done, acknowledge that there have been failures of governance in several INSESSION NEWS CONSTITUTION COMMEMORATION 11 Parliament commemorates 25 years of the Constitution Parliament held a joint sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to observe the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, writes Abel Mputing.
Members of Parliament principles are mirrored in it.” equality and human rights.” (MPs) paid homage to the courage of those who The leaders ensured that the The Deputy Chairperson of the brought it to fruition and principles of our democratic NCOP, Ms Sylvia Lucas, said: ensured that it broke with struggle were realised.

“One “The Constitution is a result of the inhumanity of the past.
of which is Oliver Tambo many agitations, this includes The Constitution ushered in whose document Ready to the Women’s Charter which new democratic prescripts Govern shapes the philosophy was incepted in 1954.

Its 12 that became the founding of our current Constitution.

articles articulate the equal architecture of South Africa’s It’s this document that gave recognition of women’s rights constitutional democracy.
birth to the prescripts that are in all aspects of life, which today the architecture of our are now enshrined in the Bill Opening the debate, the constitution.” Minister of International of Rights of our Constitution.

Freedom “is a point of Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Dr Pandor said South African reference for the discourse on Naledi Pandor, said: “We history resembles a long gender equality – and for the women empowerment “to improve women’s material conditions and to change of one law for one nation.
He said: “But what it failed to achieve is to recognise pattern of ownership of means indigenous and customary of production in favour of women.” Ms Natasha Mazzone of the NA said: “The inception of the laws.” As a result of that, he said, there is no provision in it for the roles and responsibilities of traditional leadership.

There have been Constitution signalled a change promises to that effect, but of a nation united in diversity.

such promises have been A nation that seeks to restore broken.
“I will not retire as the culture of human rights and to free the potential of an MP before the finalisation of land expropriation clause each and every individual.

We in the Constitution,” he are, therefore, proud for those added.

who wrote this document for their forward thinking and inclusivity.

But also, it’s essential to hold accountable those who undermine it.
Those who undermine our Mr Petrus Mulder said the South African Constitution is hailed as the jewel crown of the best in the world, if so why is South Africa faced Constitution are engaged in an with so many troubles?

Is it act of treason.

They should not because of the ruling party be ignored; they should be put or of the policies it is based behind bars.” She urged parliamentarians to ensure that the Constitution reigns supreme.

“It’s therefore our job to protect the constitution at all cost.
on, he asked.

He blamed much of the current woes on the racial provisions of the Constitution.

In his view, 25 years of the Constitution marks the 25 years of misrule through the courtesy We have sworn to an oath of of the provision of the upholding it.

Holding it we shall.

May our Constitution reign supreme.” MP Ms Ntombovuyo Mente Constitution.
The President of South African Local Government Association (Salga), Ms said: “But if truth be told, the Thembi Nkadimeng, said: “In Constitution is a stone wall for keeping with the prescripts the perpetrators of injustices.

of the Constitution, we have It supports the continuation of racial discrimination.

We must ask ourselves what the struggle was for?

If it continued to sustain a system that suppresses our people.

“We were not fighting for vague equalities.


We won’t allow a situation in which colonisers continue to live a life of kings in our lands.

To keep the land while we remain landless.” made strides in realising the rights of our people and to uphold their human dignity.

As we reflect on the commitments of our Constitution, we take stock of our own commitment and we are pleased to announce that we have gone a long way in delivering basic services to our people .

.

.
.

We take this moment to renew our commitment to a people-centred local government sphere.” affirm the adoption of the tradition of systematic racial inception of positive sets of As it stands, “This Constitution boldest inscription of our exploitation, and our key gender tools and instruments Constitution, which is a challenge is to reverse the and their machinery which cornerstone of our infant socio-economic injustices underpin the theory of democracy and the radical visited upon the vulnerable change”.
aspirations of our collective people of our country.

“This future.
This Constitution is a moment affords us an “We found these sets of testimony of the ingenuity opportunity to assess what gender tools lacking in of a legion of countless more needs to be done provinces during our Provincial brave leaders, of heroes to ensure that our people Women’s Charter sessions due and heroines whose radical benefit from a document that to lack of resources, and lack aspirations for our future and their common democratic sets out their ambitions and future aspirations of freedom, of engendered responsive to gender budgeting to foster is a pact between the political Another MP, Mr Vuyolwethu elite and the colonisers.
We Zungula, said there is not will amend this Constitution to much to celebrate because take the land from thieves and South Africa remains one of we will fight until we attain the most unequal societies in land restitution and economic the world.

It has 30 million freedom in our life time.” people who are unemployed and is the rape capital of the Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi world.
said one of the sterling achievements of the Constitution is its proclamation MP Mr Shaun August said: “There is a growing tendency Eastern Cape Residents express mixed views on the Expropriation Bill At the start of the Eastern Cape leg of the public hearings on the Expropriation Bill in the Alfred Nzo District, residents expressed mixed views on the need for the Bill, reports Malatswa Molepo 12 to blame the yawning gap from history,” he warned.
between fairness and injustices on the Constitution, which Mr Zakhele Mbhele of the often camouflages government NCOP said: “Our Constitution failure to address landlessness, is a stark illustration of the poverty and inequality and stark difference between corruption in the last 25 conceptualisation and years.

In all these years, the implementation.

For it to be government has failed to realised, we need a capable use the tools provided by the state.
But we inherited Constitution to bring about instead a corrupt and necessary reforms.
“We need incapable state that finds to take a hard look in the it difficult to translate the mirror and ask ourselves what principles of the Constitution we can do better to fix our into reality.” mounting problems rather than blame the Constitution.” In closing the debate, the Minister of Justice and Mr Ahmed Shaik-Emam said: Constitutional Development, “In the last 25 years we have Mr Ronald Lamola, said learnt new lessons.
Surely, we the greatest intent of our have learnt new experiences Constitution is to bring about that necessitate the social justice, social cohesion amendment of our Constitution and nation-building.

to ensure that our Constitution protects the rights of all South After so much wrangling Africans.
That everyone, and opposing views on what irrespective of race, gender or the Constitution had, should creed, enjoys the fruits of our and could have achieved, Constitution.” Mr Lamola said: “We have a responsibility to build a Mr Bantu Holomisa said: “The nation based on the Bill Bill of Rights enshrined in our of Rights.

We should bring Constitution is not a wish list.


It everyone and minorities seeks to empower our people at the centre of this cause and to ensure that the state to construct a country that plays a role to make these we all want.

As such, we rights manifest.


Regrettably, are committed to taking instead of upholding this Bill, South Africa forward and to the state has written a new promote that which binds chapter of corruption in the us together, than that which Constitution.” divides us.” The Chairperson of the disadvantaged South Africans.

this occurs.
this occurs.

committee, Ms Nolitha Other participants in the Mr William Madisha said, He added: “We should “We should not lose sight of utilise this commonality to the fact that the Constitution resolve our socio-economic Ntobongwana, thanked hearings called for skills Traditional leaders participants for taking development for the purpose participating in the hearings the time to participate in of capacitation, especially welcomed the Bill on the signals a victory of the will of conditions.
And to utilise our the proceedings.

“We are of previously disadvantaged grounds that it will facilitate the people and is a result of constitutional democracy many sacrifices for freedom as our moral campus in extremely appreciative that people, to ensure that the return of land that was the people of Alfred Nzo expropriated land is used forcefully taken during and equal rights that we enjoy today.” attaining the South Africa for District braved the rainy and productively.
which we all aspire.” cold weather to contribute the colonial era and which undermined the role of Mr Yunus Carrim of the NCOP said, “The authors of the Constitution realised that the only way to reduce the material inequality was to address the economic exploitation of black people.

This was based on the notion that we don’t want freedom without bread and we don’t want bread without freedom.

The basic material rights of black people needed to be addressed for the full realisation of freedom.
People have been patient with us, but for how long?

We must learn their views on the Bill.

Among the dissenting views traditional leaders as the We have listened to every on the Bill, the primary custodians of the land.
opinion expressed, and will point of contention centred take them into consideration when we conclude the public on dissatisfaction with Clause 12(3) of the Bill, Meanwhile, the committee apologised to traditional consultation process, which which provides for instances leaders and the people of is one of the most important where expropriation with nil Matatiele who complained pillars of a democratic law- compensation may be just about the committee’s making process.” and equitable.
The argument failure to visit their area.

Ms advanced was that property Notobomgwana said: “We Those who supported the is a generational investment, have taken due regard that Bill highlighted the dire need for land to build which would be threatened if the Bill is passed.
Even we will not be able to visit every local municipality due infrastructure, such as these people recognised that to financial constraints, as roads, schools, and health sometimes expropriation in well as the impracticability of and agricultural facilities to the public interest is required, such an endeavour.
In all the change the socio-economic conditions of previously but they said there should be equitable compensation when provinces we have visited, we have ensured that people INSESSION NEWS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 13 are provided transport so as residents that all their views and sympathised with those to ensure extensive coverage had been recorded.

The who are still waiting for their and meaningful public committee will deliberate on land claims to be settled.

participation.
participation.

We have also, their views and incorporate The committee committed in the past, called for written them into the Bill, which will to engaging with its sister public submissions to ensure enrich and strengthen it.

portfolio committees in that even those who are Parliament to ensure that they unable to attend the hearings Nelson Mandela residents - strengthen oversight of the are afforded an opportunity land must be maximised to departments identified.
“We to express their views on the Bill.” Majority of Joe Gqabi District residents support the Bill Most residents of Joe Gqabi ensure food security.
The committee concluded are a listening Parliament and all concerns raised by the Eastern Cape leg of the the people will be followed Expropriation Bill public up, because ours is to strive hearings in Gqeberha to improve the lives of the (previously Port Elizabeth) people of South Africa,” said District supported the Bill, where residents were Ms Nolitha Ntobongwana, the largely because they believe concerned about the Chairperson of the committee.
expropriation promises to be impact of the Bill on South a tool to reverse the injustices Africa’s investment drive to Meanwhile, following of the past, while ensuring secure more foreign direct engagements with equitable access to the land.

investment, which will boost health officials and the However, they highlighted economic growth and create announcement of adjusted the risk of unfair allocation of jobs.
land, which might undermine restrictions on alert level 2, the committee resolved the Bill’s good intentions.

Equal numbers of Gqeberha to postpone hearings in Emerging farmers complained opposed the Bill.

However, an exponential increase in during the hearings about everyone agreed that the use Covid-19 infections in the residents supported and the Northern Cape, due to the ongoing challenge of of productive land must be province.
access to land, especially for maximised to ensure food previously disadvantaged security.

people living in townships and “We have decided to continue with the Western Cape rural areas.

Traditional leaders Dissenting views on the Bill hearings as scheduled, as also expressed their support were mainly anchored on the province is experiencing for the Bill and highlighted the the perceived risk of policy lower numbers of Covid-19 long-standing link between uncertainty due to ambiguity infections.
Following the traditional leaders and land.

created by an unclear completion of the Western definition of the property that Cape leg of the hearings, Some participants told the might be expropriated using the committee will pause committee that their support the Bill.
In addition, those its programme until the rate for the Bill is on condition opposing the Bill emphasised of infections is kept under that expropriation of land that South Africa is in dire control in both Northern Cape translates into increased need of investment to create and Free State,” said Ms production, food security and job opportunities and the Ntobongwana.

job creation, alleviates poverty Bill will not assist in that and, above all, restores respect.

Others opposing equality in South Africa.


the Bill believe that the process to amend Section The committee also received 25 of the Constitution must various complaints related to be concluded to ensure that the land reform process and enabling legislation speaks other challenges, including directly to amendments made.

the lack of title deeds and of support for emerging Meanwhile, the Bill’s farmers.
The committee committed itself to passing supporters highlighted that it is a necessary step to the complaints to the relevant redress past injustices and parliamentary committees to will enable the government ensure a follow-up and the to fight poverty, inequality delivery of services.

and unemployment.

Many supporters said their Residents who were not in entrepreneurial spirit is favour of the Bill called the smothered by the lack of definition of property too access to land.
vague, which they said will lead to disinvestment and job During the hearings, the losses.

The committee assured committee heard first-hand of forced removals conducted by the previous administration National Assembly passes Bills to combat gender-based violence The National Assembly (NA) has passed the Gender-Based Violence Bills - Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill, Domestic Violence Amendment Bill and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill.
The three Bills were Act 32 of 2007, being one of introduced in Parliament several legislative measures following a November 2018 identified to strengthen South Presidential Summit against Africa’s response to GBVF, Gender-Based Violence and in particular the legislation Femicide (GBVF).

The summit regulating the National resolved to fast-track the Register for Sex Offenders review of existing laws and (NRSO).
policies on gender-based violence making them victim- The bill also aims to expand centred, ensure all other the scope of the NRSO relevant laws respond to to include the particulars GBV, revisit and fast-track all of all sex offenders, not outstanding laws and bills only sex offenders against that relate to GBVF.
children and persons who are mentally disabled, and The Criminal Law (Sexual to expand the list of persons Offences and Related who are to be protected to Matters) Amendment Act include other vulnerable Amendment Bill proposes persons, namely, certain amendments to the Criminal young women, persons with Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment physical, mental, sensory or intellectual disabilities and 14 persons over 60 years of age At the same sitting, who, for example, receive the NA approved the community-based care and recommendation of the support services.
It will also names of Ms Philile Ntuli increase the periods for which and Ms Fatima Chohan a sex offender’s particulars for appointment as full- must remain on the NRSO time commissioners of before they can be removed the South African Human from the register.

The Bill Rights Commission for a further proposes to expand the period of seven years.

Ms ambit of the crime of incest, Chohan will serve as the and introduces a new offence Deputy Chairperson of the of sexual intimidation.

Commission.
Commission.

The purpose of the Domestic The posts of the two Violence Amendment Bill commissioners became is to amend the Domestic vacant following the Violence Act 116 of 1998 to death of the former further provide for how acts of Deputy Chairperson of the domestic violence and related Commission and the expiry matters must be dealt with by of the term of one of the certain functionaries, persons commissioners.

and government departments.


It will also regulate obtaining Section 193(4) of the of protection orders in Constitution provides that response to acts of domestic the President, on the violence.

recommendation of the National Assembly, must The Criminal and Related appoint the members of the Matters Amendment Bill aims South African Human Rights to amend four Acts, namely Commission.
the Magistrates’ Courts Act 32 of 1944, the Criminal The names of the two Procedure Act 51 of 1977, the commissioners will now be Criminal Law Amendment Act sent to the President for 85 of 1997 and the Superior appointment.

Courts Act 7 of 2013.

The Bill’s purpose is to amend the Magistrates’ Courts Act to provide for the appointment of intermediaries and the giving of evidence through intermediaries in proceedings other than criminal proceedings.
It will also amend the Criminal Procedure Act to further regulate the granting and cancellation of bail and the right of a complainant in a domestic-related offence to participate in parole proceedings.

In addition, it will amend the Criminal Law Amendment Act to further regulate sentences in respect of offences that have been committed against vulnerable persons.
It will also amend the Superior Courts Act to provide for the appointment of intermediaries and the giving of evidence through intermediaries in proceedings other than criminal proceedings.

The Bills will now be sent to the NCOP for concurrence.

NCOP passes the Division of Revenue Bill 2021 The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed the Division of Revenue Bill 2021.
The Bill provides for the equitable division of revenue raised nationally among the national, provincial and local spheres of government for the 2021/2022 financial year.

It also provides for each province’s share and for any other allocations to provinces, local government or municipalities from the national government’s share of that revenue.

The Bill also covers the conditions on which those allocations are made.

term, without adding to long- term spending pressures.
A further goal is to improve the composition of spending, by reducing growth in compensation while protecting capital investments.

The Select Committee on Appropriations’ report to the NCOP states that the committee agreed to the Bill without amendments.

However, the committee made a number of recommendations on the Bill to the Minister of Finance, the National Treasury and to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
These executive authorities are required to send Parliament their responses to the recommendations within 60 days.

The Bill was passed by the National Assembly on 18 March 2021 and will now be referred to the President for consent.

Section 214 (1) of the February 2021.


Constitution requires that every year a Division One key objective of the 2021 of Revenue Act should Medium Term Expenditure determine the equitable Framework (MTEF) period is division of nationally- to narrow the budget deficit raised revenue between and stabilise the debt-to- the national, provincial gross domestic product ratio, and local government.

The primarily by controlling non- Minister of Finance, Mr Tito interest expenditure growth.
Mboweni, tabled the 2021 Another important objective is national Budget, including the to provide continued support Division of Revenue Bill, in to the economy and public the National Assembly on 24 health services in the short INSESSION NEWS Success of Section 100 intervention in the North West depends on stable municipalities The Ad Hoc Committee on Section 100 Intervention in the North West Province believes that the crisis affecting a majority of municipalities in the North West will inhibit any potential success of the Section 100 intervention in the province, primarily because the delivery of basic services resides within the local sphere of government, writes Malatswa Molepo.
The committee visited the North immediate dismissal of some the IMTT’s intention to West Province recently to assess officials, are to be welcomed.

redouble its efforts in support progress on the implementation This is despite the need to of Kgetlengrivier, Tswaing, of the Section 100 intervention ensure criminal prosecution for Ditsobotla, Ramotshere Moiloa, in the province.

The committee the malfeasance that caused Ratlou and Matlosa local received a progress report from the current challenges.
The municipalities, as well as Dr Ruth the Inter-Ministerial Task Team committee has also called for Segomotsi Mompati,” said Mr (IMTT) and has commended the state to urgently initiate China Dodovu, the Chairperson of progress in stabilising the a process to recoup ill-gotten the committee.

provincial level of administration.

finances, which occurred due to The appointment of heads of corruption within the province.
To remedy this challenge, the PRESIDENT’S Q & A 15 Holding the Executive to Account - President Ramaphosa answers questions in the NCOP President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in a hybrid plenary sitting recently to answer questions for oral reply.

Holding regular question and answer sessions is one way in which Parliament holds the Presidents and his executive to account, as provided by Section 92(2) of the Constitution.

Question 1 infrastructure?


Mr Jomo Nyambi President Ramaphosa (Mpumalanga: ANC) asked the President: (1) Has the government Public infrastructure is vital to the lives and livelihoods undertaken an audit of South Africans and to regarding public the achievement of our infrastructure that was developmental goals.

Damage damaged, vandalised or to public infrastructure, stolen during the lockdown whether through vandalism or period?
If it hasn’t, what theft, amounts to nothing less is the government’s than acts of sabotage against position in this regard?

If the aspirations of the South it did conduct such an African people.

Unfortunately, audit, what is the there was a significant estimated value of the increase in such criminal acts damage?

during the lockdown period, (2) Has the government predominantly in the areas put any plans in place of commuter rail and basic to repair and/or replace education.
departments for the Office of the committee welcomed the IMTT’s such infrastructure?
Please Premier, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture Despite the green shoots, the committee remains concerned intention to find additional support through state-owned and Rural Development, and about the lack of stability within entities to ensure that budgets the Department of Social the local sphere of government, are spent, especially in the Development will bring much- with reports of parallel councils context of the devastating needed stability and strategic and two mayors and two effects of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, direction to those departments.

Speakers operating at the same the committee welcomed time.

“It is unacceptable and the announcement that the In addition, the steady unfathomable to find a situation Intergovernmental Monitoring, improvement in audit outcomes where a municipality has two Support and Intervention Bill is points to green shoots at the mayors, especially because being processed.

The committee provincial administrative level.


this dysfunction affects service awaits the tabling of the Bill to Furthermore, some of the delivery directly.

consequence management initiatives, which led to the The committee welcomes enable the committee and the public to make quality inputs on the Bill.

explain why not, if this The responsibility for public hasn’t occurred, and if it infrastructure development, has, what are the details of maintenance and repair such plans?
lies with various levels of (3) What is the worst affected government.

At national infrastructure and which level, national departments provinces were the worst are responsible; at provincial affected?

level, provincial governments (4) Will the government bear responsibility; and at undertake a comprehensive local level, municipalities have audit of damage caused to direct responsibility of looking public infrastructure during after public infrastructure.
the lockdown period and develop a plan for repairing or replacing such As in the normal course of events, each of these is 16 same time, the country’s vital part of Africa’s ambitious response to climate change coordinated response to needs to be well managed climate change and provides to ensure that it does not guidance on Africa’s common negatively impact on the position on climate change in economy or exacerbate international forums.

inequality, poverty and unemployment.


This weekend, I will be participating in deliberations We must acknowledge that the on climate change at the transition to a low-emissions G7 meeting in the United economy and climate-resilient Kingdom, where I will be society offers opportunities for presenting the positions of our new development, investment country and the continent on and job creation.

It is therefore this critical issue.


important that we understand both the opportunties and Question 3 the risks associated with a climate transition.
It is for this Mr Mandla Rayi (Eastern reason that we established Cape: ANC) asked the the Presidential Climate Commission to identify a path President: (1) How much funding and towards a low-emissions financing commitments economy and climate-resilient have been made by the society that is just, promotes government and private inclusive development and job sector to execute the creation, and leaves no one implementation of the behind.
Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan in The commission itself is respect of the damage constituted by members from caused by Covid-19?

various sectors of society, including business, labour, (2) Has the government made civil society, youth, research any progress in institutes and government.

implementing the priority This signifies that we recognise areas articulated in such the multidimensional nature a plan?

Please indicate of climate change and a just if not, why not?

And if so, transition.


Cabinet Ministers, provide details?

particularly those from the economic cluster, actively President Ramaphosa participate in the commission’s The Economic Reconstruction work to ensure that there is and Recovery Plan is a political oversight.

necessary response to the severe economic impact of As part of our response the coronavirus pandemic.
to climate change, public The plan aims to ensure a consultations have been swift and lasting economic underway on the updated recovery, with measures to draft Nationally Determined limit the immediate impact of Contribution.

This outlines the pandemic on vulnerable the country’s targets for the workers and households and to reduction of greenhouse gas revive economic growth in the emissions.

Once finalised, the short- and medium-term.


updated Nationally Determined Contribution will be submitted Significant progress has been to the United Nations (UN) made since the announcement Framework Convention on of the plan less than eight Climate Change ahead of the months ago.

The Infrastructure Climate Change Summit – Fund has been established, known as COP 26 – in Glasgow and its investment committee in November.

has been constituted.


A total of R18 billion has been South Africa is currently the allocated to the fund over the coordinator of the Committee next three years for blended of African Heads of State finance arrangements that and Government on Climate will leverage private sector Change, which met earlier this week.

This committee is a funding.


ACCOUNTABILITY: President Ramaphosa answers questions responsible for conducting an metal dealers in possession of assessment of any damage A number of commuter rail stolen material.

The success caused, and then take steps to corridors have been prioritised of these efforts depends on a replace or restore the affected in Gauteng, Western Cape, partnership with communities, infrastructure.
It is therefore Eastern Cape and KwaZulu- as we all have a responsibility not possible to provide an Natal, and several mainline to safeguard and care for overall estimate of the value of passenger services for the public infrastructure.

the damage caused over this restoration of infrastructure period.

and the return to service.
Question 2 With respect to commuter With respect to education, the Ms Cathlene Labuschagne rail, Metrorail experienced an Department of Basic Education (Western Cape: DA) asked alarming increase in cases reports that over 1 700 schools of infrastructure theft and across the country were the President: Does your announcement vandalism, ranging from vandalised or had equipment during the 2021 State of the overhead electric lines, electric stolen since the start of the Nation Address of a Climate substations, train stations and Covid-19 lockdown.
KwaZulu- Advisory Council and your depot buildings.

This vandalism Natal, Gauteng and Eastern participation in the Virtual took place in Gauteng, Western Cape were the worse affected Leaders’ Summit on Climate Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

These provinces.

Responsibility Change indicate that you acts have a huge impact on for the maintenance and consider climate change as a the mobility of commuters, repair of these schools is the priority?
What are the details, who depend on the affordable responsibility of the Provincial if it is a priority for the entire Metrorail services to access Departments of Education.

Cabinet and government, and economic opportunities in our if not, why not?

major urban centres.

Reports from the Department Metrorail has started to Infrastructure also indicate of Public Works and President Ramaphosa Tackling climate change gradually return commuter damage to public infrastructure is a national priority.
This services as it works to in Kimberley, Gqeberha and requires not only that we repair and replace critical Hout Bay.

These include the meet our international infrastructure.
This includes theft of cables at a bulk water commitments to reduce projects to rehabilitate railway pump station in Gqeberha, greenhouse gas emissions, tracks, reinstate electricity infrastructure, walling off rail theft of borehole pumps at two police stations, and damage but also that we implement adaptation measures to protect lines, building and repairing caused through vandalism individuals, communities and pedestrian bridges, station at SAPS (South African Police our economy from the effects improvements and automated Service) offices in King of climate change.
signalling infrastructure.

This William’s Town.
work is hampered by illegal If we do not act now, and if settlements that have been We are working to intensify we do not act together as a built on the tracks and inside the efforts of law enforcement global community, we will the rail reserve, and Prasa agencies, working alongside be increasingly vulnerable to (Passenger Rail Agency of entities like the (Passenger adverse weather conditions, South Africa) is working with Rail Athority of South Africa) food insecurity, water scarcity, municipalities to address this Prasa, to uncover illicit cable displacement of populations, problem.
trading syndicates and scrap and biodiversity loss.

At the INSESSION NEWS PRESIDENT’S Q & A 17 To achieve greater energy contained in the Economic elections may not be free and Community (SADC)?

If not, why access to justice for the victims security, a total of 1 200 MW Reconstruction and Recovery fair given the impact of the not?

And if so, please provide and survivors?

If not, why not?

of new generation capacity Plan is included in the budgets Covid-19 and the measures details?
And if so, what are the details has now been connected of all national departments for taken to curb the continued in each case?

to the grid from projects their areas of responsibility, spread of the pandemic.

President Ramaphosa: approved through Bid ensuring that the plan is South Africa is working within President Ramaphosa; Window 4 of the Renewable mainstreamed in the work Cognisant of its obligation the established systems of the Following the State of the Energy IPP Programme.

A of government.
Through the to ensure that the elections Southern African Development Nation Address in June 2019, request for proposals has effective implementation are free and fair, the IEC has Community to address the the Emergency Response been issued for 2 600 MW of this plan, as well as the commissioned Justice Dikgang destabilisation of the Cabo Action Plan was implemented of power from wind and structural reforms that form Moseneke to lead the Inquiry Delgado province and to to further strengthen the fight solar PV projects through Bid part of Operation Vulindlela, into Ensuring Free and Fair establish political stability in against gender-based violence Window 5. we are reviving our economy Local Government Elections Mozambique.
and placing South Africa on during Covid-19.

and femicide and provide justice for the victims and Eleven preferred bidders a new growth trajectory.

The The SADC Double Troika survivors.

This was a short-term have been approved as part success of the recovery plan is The inquiry is expected to do Technical Assessment Mission, plan implemented over six of the emergency power based on a strong partnership three things.
Firstly, inquire which has been deployed to months through partnerships procurement programme, with business, labour and into the conditions for free the Cabo Delgado province in between civil society networks, which will together deliver other social partners, as and fair elections.
Secondly, April 2021, proposed, among government, development nearly 2 000 MW of power a whole-of-society effort come up with findings other things, the deployment partners and academic to the grid over the next to promote our economic following the inquiry.

And of the SADC Standby Force in institutions.

18 months.

As I announced recovery.


thirdly, issue a report in which support of the Mozambican earlier this afternoon, recommendations are set Armed Defence Force to The National Strategic Plan on Schedule 2 of the Electricity Question 4 out concerning the likelihood combat the threat of terrorism GBVF was approved by Cabinet Regulation that the IEC would be able to and acts of violent extremism.

in March 2020.
in March 2020.

It builds onto Ms Brenda Mathevula ensure that the forthcoming the Emergency Response Act will soon be amended (Limpopo: EFF) asked the government elections will be An Extraordinary SADC Organ Action Plan and focuses on to increase the licensing threshold for embedded President: 1) What reasons did the free and fair.
Troika Summit that took improved accountability, place on 27 May 2021 in responsiveness to the needs of generation projects from 1 Independent Electoral It has also been asked to Maputo agreed to convene survivors, addressing impunity MW to 100 MW.

Commission (IEC) give for indicate additional measures an Extraordinary SADC and driving a comprehensive appointing the panel only that the IEC may be required to Summit on 23 June 2021 to prevention agenda.
The Presidential after the date of the local implement in order to realise reach an agreement on the Employment Stimulus has government elections was free and fair elections within appropriate regional response We are beginning to see supported close to 700 000 proclaimed?

the context of the Covid-19 in support of Mozambique.

positive results through various opportunities across a range 2) Will you postpone the pandemic.

Any possible The summit noted progress joint interventions.
In February of programmes, through elections if the panel postponement of elections is towards the establishment and 2021, we launched the private the creation of new work recommends that the a matter on which the IEC will operationalisation of the SADC sector GBVF Response Fund opportunities, the protection elections will not be free have to make a determination Humanitarian and Emergency where an initial amount of of existing jobs in vulnerable and fair if conducted in this in terms of the provisions of Operations Centre, which will R128 million was pledged.
sectors, and support for climate?

if not, why not?

the Constitution and applicable enhance regional capabilities in livelihoods.

If so, what are the relevant legal prescripts.

risk and disaster management.

Legislative reform has been details?

Mozambique has committed to a critical component of the Four sector master plans are The Moseneke Inquiry is about host the centre.

currently in implementation, President Ramaphosa inquiring into and providing National Strategic Plan.
Last week, the National Assembly in the automotive, sugar, On 22 April 2021, I announced a report on the conditions The SADC Organ Troika, in passed three Bills: poultry, and clothing, textiles, 27 October 2021 as the date for free and fair elections so keeping with its principle of footwear and leather sectors.

on which the local government as to enable the IEC to fully peaceful resolution, remains - the Criminal Law (Sexual This approach, which relies elections will be held.

The consider the matter.
As there seized with finding a lasting Offences and Related Matters) on close collaboration with announcement does not is no determination of a solution to the conflict to Amendment Bill, stakeholders to develop a constitute a proclamation as postponement at this stage, no ensure that Mozambique is - Domestic Violence tailored action plan for high- contemplated in the Local other date has been considered stable, peaceful and able to Amendment Bill, and growth sectors, is already Government: Municipal as election date other than 27 develop its economy.
- Criminal and Related Matters demonstrating results.

Electoral Act.

The proclamation October 2021.

According to data released by will be issued by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Question 5 Question 6 Amendment Bill.

These three Bills are now the South African Revenue Traditional Affairs.

Ms Delmaine Christians on their way to the NCOP.
I Service (SARS), South Africa Ms Shahidabibi Shaikh (Northern Cape: DA) asked would encourage the NCOP to experienced a cumulative For the first time since (Limpopo: ANC) asked the trade surplus of close to its establishment, the R150 billion for the first four Independent Electoral President: With reference to the the President: Considering that in your carefully consider these three important Bills with a sense of State of the Nation Address urgency, within the legislative months of this year.
This Commission is faced with phenomenal increase in the in June 2019 you committed mandate of the NCOP.

reflects a massive increase in the prospect of conducting destabilisation of Cabo Delgado to strategies that would end our exports to the rest of the elections in the midst of a in Mozambique and sporadic gender-based violence and We have introduced several world, driven largely by the global pandemic.
Concerns upsurge of violent conflicts femicide (GBVF), does the innovative initiatives to unique strategic value of our have been expressed by some in other parts of Africa, does Presidency have any plans facilitate access to support mineral resources.

political parties represented the government have any to further strengthen the and justice.
This includes an Funding for the measures on the party liaison committee that the forthcoming general plans to reinvigorate the Southern African Development fight against GBVF?

Will the government also provide SMS notification system for applications for domestic 18 violence protection orders that was launched at all district courts in January 2021.

The Domestic Violence Amendment Bill, once passed, will make it possible for complainants to apply for protection orders online.
Thirty-two regional courts are ready for designation as Sexual Offences Courts.

There are plans for the establishment of six additional Thuthuzela Care Centres.

As at March 2021, all police stations have the necessary sexual assault DNA kits to assist victims and survivors.

The implementation of NSP on GBVF through the district development model is being embedded in provincial and local government structures.

All provinces have either finalised or are developing provincial plans.
The process of localisation is further bolstered by the establishment of rapid response structures at district and local municipality levels across the country.

As we move into the second year of the National Strategic Plan, we are focused on strengthening accountability at all levels of government and society.

We are developing a comprehensive national GBVF prevention strategy, including evidence-based social and behaviour change programmes.
If we are committed to working together as a country – as government, communities, civil society, organised labour, business, academia, traditional leaders and the faith community – we will succeed in ending violence against women in South Africa.
Mr Mandla Rayi, Eastern Cape ANC Ms Delmaine Christians, Northern Cape DA Mr Jomo Nyambi, Mpumalanga ANC Ms Brenda Mathevula, Limpopo EFF Ms Cathlene Labuschagene, Western Cape DA Ms Shahidabibi `Shaik, Limpopo ANC QUESTION TIME: Delegates to the NCOP demand answers INSESSION NEWS SADC-PF 19 Eliminating gender-based violence throughout Eastern and Southern Africa The Southern Africa Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) held an advocacy dialogue on the elimination of gender-based violence (GBV) in the eastern and southern African regions, reports Sakhile Mokoena.
practices which are contained in generally accepted international instruments.

For instance, the legal age for consent to marriage is 18 and is contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and is also reflected in the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage,” said Ms Sekgoma.

She added that model laws act as catalysts for domestication of treaties and covenants, as they contain similar norms and are further adapted to the Southern African context.
Ms Sekgoma reported that the SADC Model Law on GBV has been prepared by the forum and validated by Members of Parliament.

It contains best practices relating to the prevention of gender-based violence across all SADC member states.

“Under this model law, gender-based violence is defined broadly to encompass economic and psychological violence, as well as stalking and harassment.
It will thus change the landscape of GBV legislation across all SADC member states, by providing for a user-friendly single piece of legislation that can be readily domesticated by the executive,” said the SADC-PF Secretary-General.

She also believes the SADC Model Law on GBV as the potential to be a game- changer in spearheading modern, gender-responsive and anti-discriminatory legislation.
Furthermore, the Model Law on Child Marriage and the SADC Model Law on HIV will together uphold the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and young girls in the SADC region.

The dialogue’s moderator, people of all ages, while SDG without discrimination.

Ms Mishy Singano, a 5 is a commitment to ensure development expert and gender equality and empower SADC parliaments also pass African gender-rights activist, women and girls.
said the objective of the appropriation legislation to provide for national budgets virtual engagement was to Addressing the dialogue related to gender ministries identify key messages and to on the role of the SADC-PF and departments, public have a concrete action plan to and member parliaments schools and hospitals, and the support eastern and southern in addressing gender-based enforcement of measures to African countries to achieve violence, as well as on protect children and women, Sustainable Development advancing gender-responsive among other things.
Goals (SDGs) 3 and 5, and also legislation through SADC reflect on existing platforms model laws, the forum’s “The SADC-PF acts as the to address GBV.
Secretary-General Ms Boemo enabler for change through Sekgoma, said parliaments of targeted model laws, which SDGs are a global the region’s member countries are formulated following a commitment, spearheaded by have enacted legislation consultative process with the United Nations to achieve relating to gender equality, democratically elected SADC a better and sustainable such as the Protection from Members of Parliament.
future for the world’s Domestic Violence Act, the Therefore, (these laws are) population.

SDG 3 aims to Equal Opportunities Act and made by the people and for promote healthy lives and promote the well-being of laws compelling parents to send all children to school the people.
Model laws are based on best norms and 20 Parliament supports the establishment of a Palestinian State The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli, participated in the forum “International Parliamentarian Support to the Question of Palestine” that took place in May.

people, including self- the Palestinian people.

He the security, peace, stability determination, sovereignty regretted that this continues and development of the and right to return.
to be the legacy of the broader Middle East.

provocative approach by the He gave examples of previous US administration.
Mr Tsenoli underlined the the successful work of position of South Africa on parliamentarians to advocate Mr Tsenoli recalled former ending the Israeli occupation, for the same, including President Nelson Mandela’s which would be in the interest recent letters from European and his grandson’s of both Israel and Palestine, Members of Parliament to commitment to the Palestinian and called on both parties to call for their governments to cause, repeating the stance take concrete steps to that impose sanctions on Israel that “our freedom in South end.
He said the outstanding over its annexation policy and Africa is dependent on the final status issues will need to put pressure on Israel to freedom of the Palestinians”.

to be resolved through stop the eviction of Palestinian As Israeli violations of negotiation, with support from families from their homes in international law and UN the international community, East Jerusalem.
resolutions are unacceptable, including South Africa, to The Chair also referred to the government’s efforts in all a lasting and just settlement recent resolution approved multilateral bodies to pursue of the Palestinian question.

he fully supported his resume the peace process for by the Chilean Senate, calling peace in the Middle East.
on the President to adopt a He stressed that any peace law banning the import of Mr Tsenoli reiterated the plan should ensure that the settlement goods into the South African Parliament’s Palestinian state does not country, as well as to the solidarity with the Palestinian become an entity devoid support provided by South people and their right to self- of territorial contiguity African parliamentarians determination and the full and economic viability.
Mr to Palestinian solidarity support for the establishment Tsenoli said solidarity from movements and civil society of a Palestinian state with East parliaments of the world and groups in their advocacy at Jerusalem as its capital.

The civil society would contribute the UN Human Rights Council, situation cannot be allowed significantly to the prospect of among other bodies.

to remain unchanged as it peace.


represents an impediment to He reiterated the commitment of the committee to continue working with a variety of partners, especially parliamentarians because of the important legislative and diplomatic work that they contribute to the question of Palestine.
The committee was deeply alarmed by the dramatic deterioration of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip and reiterated the committee’s call for a de- escalation of conflict.

Mr Tsenoli said the current violence in the OPT reminded South Africans of what apartheid did to them.
He called on more Israelis to object to “unsustainable violent and hegemonic imposition of all kinds” on Mr Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Speaker of the NA The forum was convened Israeli Settlements: Calls for by the United Nations (UN) Accountability”, consisted Committee on the Exercise of Mr Francisco Chahuán, of the Inalienable Rights of Senator of Chile; Ms Julie the Palestinian People.
It was Elliott, Member of Parliament chaired by Ambassador Cheikh of the United Kingdom; and Niang, Chair of the committee Mr Hubert Julien-Laferrière, and Permanent Representative Member of the French of Senegal to the UN, and National Assembly.

moderated by Mr Pedro Roque, Vice-President of the Mr Tsenoli participated in Parliamentary Assembly of the the second panel, on the Mediterranean and a Member topic: “Parliamentarians and of the Portuguese Parliament.
Support for Efforts to Achieve a Just Solution”.

The panel The forum consisted of an comprised Mr Alexandre opening session with remarks from Ambassador Niang; Boulerice, Member of Parliament of Canada, and Mr Minister Riyad Mansour, Tsenoli.
Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine; and Ms In welcoming the participants, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under- the Chair reiterated the Secretary-General of the committee’s mandate, which Department for Political is to promote a just and and Peacebuilding Affairs of peaceful settlement to the the UN Secretariat and two Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an discussion panels.
end to the Israeli occupation and to support the realisation The first panel, on of the two-state solution and “Parliaments, Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) and exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian INSESSION NEWS