Hon Chairperson, on the Sona red carpet, Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said her dress was to remind South Africa that Stella is a princess. It was bizarre that a Minister - a public representative would see it fit to remind South Africa that she is a princess and not a humble servant of the people ... [Interjections.] ... as she was elected to be.
Princess Stella ... stop my time Chair, please!
Order, hon members. Don't drown the speaker with your interjections. Hon members ...
On a point of order, Chair.
I will recognise you now Deputy Minister.
IsiZulu:
Kwasho yena nje.
English:
Hon member at the podium, if you want the protection of the Chair, then you must also try not to elicit the response; to be drowned while you are delivering your speech. Why are you rising, hon Deputy Minister?
Because the hon member is misrepresenting the hon Minister.
That is not a point of order.
The hon Minister is a princess ...
Thank you, hon member. Please, take your seat.
Hey, she said so. Princess Stella's attitude was unfortunately not limited to the red carpet. It became patently clear that the Minister thought herself to be a fairytale princess to whom all must bow.
Her approach and treatment of the SA Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, is indeed of one who considers themselves above the law that applies to us common folk.
Last week, the Minister ...
IsiZulu:
Ubukhona wena ...
English:
... claimed that the judgement of the High Court in the case SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition versus the Minister of Communications and others and by implication, the Broadcasting Act, did not necessarily apply to her in all cases as the Minister of Communications.
In reference to the effects of the Broadcasting Act and its implication of the Minister's relationship with the SABC board; in the judgement, Judge Matojane held - listen carefully here -
Because the SABC is medium ... [Interjections.] ...
Lalelani! [Listen!]
... that should allow the free flow of ideas that are necessary for our democracy to function, the state must ensure that it has structural and operational independence.
The judgement further reads:
The Minister as a soul shareholder and not a member of the board does not have the right to act on behalf of the SABC or manage its business or affairs. The ultimate decision- making power is that of the board and not the Minister as a soul shareholder. [Applause.]
Listen, this means that the Minister has a constitutional duty to work with the SABC without unduly interfering in its operational decisions taken by the board.
Before you deny it, this is not my own interpretation of the judgement in the Broadcasting Act but that of a constitutional law professor.
Minister, through you, Chair, if you consider yourself above the law and the courts ...
IsiZulu:
Hhayi, uzoshelela kabi. [Ubuwelewele.]
English:
The editorial of the City Press, this Sunday, if your behaviour thus far is anything to go by is correct.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng took the SABC to the edge of the cliff and you appear to be determined to push it over.
Minister, please, be sure to protect ... [Interjections.] - I don't know why they get so excited ... [Inaudible.] - my time, please!
Order members. Hon member, one of your members is now taking a point of order. So, he is taking up your time. Have a seat, please. Yes, hon member.
Chairperson, we all enjoy a little bit of heckling and joshing but it is starting to drown out the speaker. I would ask for your protection.
Minister, please ensure that the important role that the SABC plays in our democracy is protected, supported and respected. This a hard thought plea I make on
behalf of those people of our country who do not have money for Netflix, Showmax or DStv and in some cases do not own TVs and only have Radios.
You know that the majority of South Africans rely on the SABC's radio and TV stations. Please ensure that they can continue to be provided with information, education and entertainment by the public broadcaster. Day Zero must never come for it will be them who will suffer.
You may live a life of luxury; they do not. This is also a heartfelt plea I make on behalf of the thousands of SABC staff who lived through Hlaudi Motsoeneng's reign of terror and low live in a time of uncertainty with only three months of salaries left in the SABC's coffers.
We applaud the SABC staff that made sure that, probably for the first time in a democratic South Africa; election coverage was fair across all parties. That's why nibuhlungu ... [That's why you are bitter.] ... That's why the Minister is upset because the SABC is no longer under the ANC's control. The Minister is
upset because the SABC bravely reported her attempts to block the SABC's covering of the protest at a manifesto launch. If you are upset, build a bridge and get over it. Stop putting yourself and your party's ego above that of the people of South Africa, enough!
You have National Treasury's 11 preconditions; work on building an amicable relationship with the SABC so that the people of our country do not have to suffer because of the bad blood you have with the SABC and your bad- mouthing.
To the SABC I say continue your good work thus far but please release the following reports that are long outstanding: The Revised Editorial Policy Report, the Report on Political Interference the SABC and the results of the staff and salaries audit that you conducted. This is work that does not require funding from National Treasury and we trust that these reports will be released soon for public scrutiny.
I must state that I am incredibly excited about the inclusion of digital technologies as part of the department's mandate. I
trust that adequate funding will be allocated to this important function. I will offer the Minister suggestions from the DA, which I hope she will consider in good faith. This is but one idea I look forward to sharing many with her.
Last month, the UK government announced new measures to ensure that their regulatory system can effectively support technology innovation. A council will be formed to advice government of regulations they need to adapt and respond to changes in technology.
I believe that the same is needed in South Africa. Companies in this sector should not be hamstrung by onerous red tape. Please make sure that this sector is provided with enough support so that it can create jobs.
To my fellow committee members, I have already suggested that as a communications and digital technology committee, we must live by example in creating a digitised Parliament - Yeah, Waterfront is where you buy your expensive outfits with money you got from the Guptas. [Interjections.]
On a point of order.
Thank you. We must drive a digitised Parliament. We would also like to see ... [Interjections.]
Hon member, can you take your seat? There is a point of order. Hon member, what is your point of order?
A point of order is that the member on the podium said the Minister bought expensive clothes ... [Interjections.]
All of you.
... with money from the Guptas. That is not correct and it is unsubstantiated. She is making allegations. She must withdraw. [Interjections.]
Order, hon members. Unfortunately, there was a lot of noise, I didn't hear that. Hon Van Damme, can you confirm if you did say that.
I said all of them, especially the one in a Burberry scarf - Please, my time. [Interjections.]
Hon Van Damme ...
[Interjections.]
Chairperson?
[Interjections.]
Chairperson, excuse me, I had the floor before the Deputy Minister.
I was still talking. Can you all take your seats? Hon Van Damme, I want to rule. If you said that, can you please withdraw because it is unparliamentary?
I withdraw because I don't know where they all shop. We would like to see a far more robust Parliament and committees in holding companies in the private sector accountable. The DA took on Bell Pottinger and won. There is no reason why Parliament couldn't have done so. [Applause.] That does not only protect our people from the misdeeds of government but also the private sector.
As my final word to the Minister, it is early in your tenure. She has the time to right wrongs and be the Minister of Communications that South Africa deserves; if not, ...
IsiZulu:
Sizofaka upelepele.
English:
I have just been informed of the passing of legendary springbok wing, James Smal. On behalf of the DA, I would like to send our deepest condolences to his friends, family and the global rugby fraternity. We will forever remember your contribution to South Africa's victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup - a victory that
united South Africans at a fragile time in our country's history. Rest in peace.
Afrikaans:
Rus in vrede, James. [Applause.]
Chair, let me add the condolences of the EFF to the passing of Nomhle Nkonyeni. She has led an entire generation of artists and we send our condolences and respect.
IsiXhosa:
Ulale kakuhle Sisi Hlehle Nkonyeni.
English:
Minister, let me start by saying that we welcome the decision by the ANC, finally, to amalgamate the two Departments of Communications and Telecommunications. [Applause.] It's an overdue decision and we don't understand why they were separated in the first place - actually we do know - but we welcome the decision.
We think that immediately after announcing the amalgamation, the President should have also introduced the operation of the Post Bank as a full bank because it is an extremely important pillar of the economic emancipation of our people. It is important that the Post Bank must take advantage of the Financial Matters Amendment Act and start operating as a fully licensed bank now that the Banks' Act has been amended to allow SOEs to carry and operate under the banking license. The EFF is proud to have initiated this process through its Private Members' Bill of the 15 May.
So, back in 2017, the Post Bank applied for a license to operate as a bank. When it did so, it should have had a business plan and that business plan would have outlined shareholders, operations strategy and all of that. Your department comes to the committee last week and says; now that the legislative environment allows for the bank to operate, they are now speaking to shareholders and they understand the modus operandi. So it means that they don't have a plan as yet.
Since 2017 up until the announcement of the amendment on the
23 May, this year, there was no plan. This is what characterises the Department of Communications, generally. So, we have a few suggestions. This is how you do it. Because you have a Public Investment Corporation, PIC, you have the Industrial Development Corporation of SA, IDC, the National Arts Festival, NAF, Sassa, you have government department, you have the ANC account, and even the EFF will throw their money into that account of the post bank. You then have a strong leverage ... [Interjections.]
Order hon members!
You then have a strong leverage. Use that leverage to go to the poorest of the poor, to the marginalised, go to ... where the establishing banking system is exploiting our people. Go to Nxamakwe, go to Qumbu, the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, go there and go service our people there and go reduce charges and reduce tariffs. That is the mandate that the post bank should ... forget what Minister Cele was saying about a development bank and all of that. This must be a mainstream bank that services the
marginalised and the poorest of the poor. This could be one of the strongest pillars of the economic emancipation of our people. So, we implore that you that very seriously.
Now, the SABC, you must talk to that Minister of yours, he is not here. You must tell the Minister of Finance ...
IsiZulu:
Ukuba uxobana nathi uma engafuni ukubhekela i-SABC ngezimali
English:
... if he is not going to finance that SABC. It's extremely important that he finances it. Now we know that the reason why he is using the turnaround strategy as a scapegoat, as reason not to finance the SABC, is because we understand his attitude towards SOEs. But the SABC is an extremely important pillar of our democracy so it has to be financed even before those timelines that you are mentioning and you put a proviso that, no, if they meet certain ... [Interjections.] Chair, can I be ...
Hon members order! Can you allow him to speak please?
... you give a proviso that if they meet certain functions then they will be financed. The SABC must be financed, it is absolutely important. Now, the SABC ... [Interjections.]
Hon members order! Can you allow the speaker to speak please?
So, the SABC has had more turnaround strategy than any SOEs ...
Hon member, can you take your seat, there is a hand. What is your point of order, hon member?
Chair, on a point of order, this sound like the conversation between the Minister and the speaker ... [Interjections.] ... must go through the Chair, please. [Interjections.]
Hon member that is not a point of order. Hon member, can you proceed? [Interjections.] Proceed!
Thank you Chair. So, the SABC has had more turnaround strategy than any other SOE and those turnaround strategies have never worked. The SABC keeps getting worse and worse, you know why? It is because the problem is not the turnaround strategy, the problem is that people ... [Interjections.]
Order hon members! [Interjections.] Order hon members! We want to listen to the speaker. Can you give him a chance please?
The problem is not your turnaround strategy, its people, implementation and policy, right? So this is how you fix the SABC. The SABC needs to be depoliticised. We are hearing all kinds of stories that ...
Hon member, can you speak through the Chair? [Interjections.] Please, hon member ... [Interjections.]
I don't understand, does it mean I must look at you? [Interjections.] [Laughter.]
Order Chair!
Hon member, I am trying to protect you because they are disturbing you. I am saying please speak through the Chair. [Interjections.] Please continue
Order Chairperson! Order Chairperson!
Okay, thanks Chair.
Order Chairperson! I think it is important to protect an hon member because there is jealousy on the side because he is facing this side. He is
saying all the sensible things and not looking at them. I think you must protect the hon member, please Chair. [Laughter.]
[Laughter.] Hon member, proceed otherwise you are finishing your own minutes, please.
Through you Chair, hon Minister ... [Laughter.] [Interjections.] ... we must depoliticize the SABC. This is crucial because we are still hearing stories of politicization of the SABC and its going to destroy that institution. We must release the Stealth AUDIT and we must solidify the definition of roles. People are running around the SABC, they don't know what they are doing and it is important that everybody understands what their role is. You must put in proper financial and operational systems and we must not tolerate corruption because what has happened is that we have had the SABC enquiry.
There were recommendations and people are still running around and some of them are even opening their own political parties with the monies of the SABC. So we must go and arrest those people. We must recoup the monies that we have lost in the SABC
through corrupt operations, with the Guptas, with multichoice, we have lost archives, we have lost a lot and we must recoup all that money. And we must go back to the basic principles of broadcast, its information and education, entertainment and fairness. Those are all embodied within the broadcasting Act. These are some of the things that we need to look at in order for us to bring back the dignity of the SABC.
Ma'am, leave the broadcasting Act alone, leave it alone. There is nothing wrong with the Broadcasting Act. Now what happened in the last tenure is that your Minister when you were the Deputy Minister, your Minister went into that corner office of hers there and fiddled with the Broadcasting Act. We learned later that what she was doing was to centralize power between herself, Hlaudi and other corrupt individuals. Don't do those things. There is nothing absolutely wrong with Broadcasting Act.
Let's go to the SABC and fix what is in there. That is where we need to start. On digital migration, digital migration must now be the cornerstone of broadcasting in South Africa. Now, your department already told you that ... [Interjections.] ... I have
got a lot of time, thank you very much. We want numbers, we have got time now. [Laughter.] Your department already told you that we are already paying money towards Santech and preparing Santech for the digital migration so it is not operational but the money is already going out. So, its wasteful expenditure by definition, so to speak and failure to do so will result in the stifling on the development of the SABC.
The SABC should be giving us a whole lot more channels and it should give us a whole lot more service. Your stifling in the development of local transmission now at the moment the process of applying for a local television station is so cumbersome that there are at least five provinces that don't have those things. So, the digital migration will make it easier for them to open up and have ... we will continue to engage on these issues. There is a whole lot more that we are going to discuss but thank you very much but we will not be supporting your Budget until you do these things. Thank you very much.
Chair, point of order, this very important. Hon Chair is hon Mandla waKhethiwe lebhuti Tau aware that for people
at home to watch Generation The Legacy at eight o'clock. If they have to watch you, they need budget to pass? I don't think he is aware, hon Ringo Madlingozi you don't know it know more.
Hon member...
[Interjection.]
Hello...
... hon member, you should address the Chair not the member. So...hon Mokoena.
Through you Chair, I appreciate my friend there, we are not the chief, and we are in Parliament now. We are discussing Telecommunications, ok; I will deal with you afterwards at eight o'clock, thank you very much.
Hon Mokoena, you are doing the same mistake, you must address the Chair. Can you take your seat, I have made a ruling. Let us proceed with our debate. The
next speaker is hon Majozi; she is making her maiden speech. Over to you Mbokodo
Hon Chairperson, this department is the custodian of information and is responsible for the national communications policy and strategy, information dissemination and publicity; and the branding of our country. It is incredibly difficult to discuss only budgetary matters when 91,3 per cent or R4,6 billion of the department's total budget will be transferred to entities for the implementation of communications and broadcasting policies. It is no surprise who will receive the bulk of the billions, but the uncertainty around the sustainability of the South African Broadcasting Corporation and its current business model is what affects the work of this department most.
As the sole shareholder, Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams has not been doing a "stella" job. Without having to debate inconsistencies and the relationship of the department with National Treasury, we must never forget that the people who will bear the brunt due to a lack of financial certainty, poor management and lack of
oversight and blatant ineptitude - are the many faces behind the public broadcaster. They need to put food on the table. They need to ensure their children's school fees are paid and that they are able to cover their bonds, or their car payments or their credit.
The board's pockets are lined as they are getting paid per meeting, yet producing zero results. There is no bang for buck and if this were to be any company, it would be addressed. If key performance areas are not to be met over this medium term, all hope would be lost. We must never forget that when right at the top things are unravelling, the worst affected are the ones who put in the hours of work to make ends meet.
The situation at the SABC right now, is not something we should as a nation take lightly. There are many lessons which have been learnt over the years and there are many examples of state owned entities which have become successful enterprises by opening up to private sector investment and shareholdings. Such a public and private partnership is required to move the SABC forward and out of the red. It is a shame really, that we have found
ourselves in this position. The lack of consequences for gross neglect flies in the face of the millions of South Africans who rely on the SABC for their information, their entertainment and their upliftment.
It is unacceptable, it is a waste of public funds and it is grave shame that various Ministers have failed to fix and clean up the public broadcaster. The welcomed merger and rebranding of the department to include digital technologies is a step in the right direction. But face painting is meaningless without action. The state of the telecommunications industry in our country is a missed opportunity to unlock jobs for our people and to reach out to the millions of people who live in rural South Africa. Digital technologies and opportunities have been squandered due to the lack of policy certainty within that department and the political will has not been there to turnaround the entities of the department.
Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams certainly does have a challenging portfolio of entities, boards and industries to manage. It is important that she focuses and is able to navigate the industry
sharks in prioritising the creation of jobs and opportunities for young South Africans in the tech space. Chairperson, the IFP is extremely concerned over the possible adverse health effects associated with the roll out of 5G Communications. We urge government to exercise the utmost precaution as is mandatory in terms of international agreements to which we are party as well as in terms of our own constitution.
We must caution and conscientize this house of the many dangers which are posed by the radiation which are scientifically proven to be harmful when exposed to humans, particularly young people in the roll out of 5G. In this respect we have submitted a number of parliamentary questions to the Ministers of Health and Communications, Environment, and the JCPS cluster. We urge the Minister to conduct independent investigations into possible adverse health and well-being effects of 5G. The IFP supports this budget. I thank you.
Thank hon Chairperson; communication the human connection, is key to all forms of success, therefore the importance of this department should be underestimated.
According to President Ramaphosa, the merge of the Department of Telecommunication and Postal Services and the Department of Communications will ensure better alignment and co-ordination of matters that important to our economy. This can however only be obtained if the different components of this department function properly, which currently is not the case at all. The instability in leadership of this department has had a detrimental effect on its entities. Such as the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, ICASA, the Film and Publication Board, the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, and the ANC government's greatest embarrassment, the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC.
Minister, you referred to the Electronic Communications Act, but since it was passed into law, 17 years ago nothing has happened, nothing! A good piece of legislation but nothing has happened, niks [nothing]. The progress on essential projects such as the switch from analogue to digital broadcasting which has been ten years in the making and for which the deadline was set to be 2011, is still not completed. It is now estimated to be completed by 2020, but most probably that is also just a dream.
We are lagging behind our neighbours, Namibia and Botswana in this regard. This delay has cost the country more than R10 billion.
The poorest of the poor are excluded from affordable digital connectivity. Why? Is it deliberate or is it just incompetence? Because currently only elite few benefits. The economy is suffering due to the various delays to implement the Electronic Communications Act.
Let's get to the SABC in particular, Hlaudi Motsoeneng was appointed by the ANC, he was appointed by your predecessor Minister. The ANC protected him amidst his destruction of the public broadcaster, amidst his corruption, when he stole and was part of stealing R631 million from the Department of Human Settlement in the Orange Free State. Houses could have built for the poor-he stole, but ANC chose to protect him year after year and then what did he do? He started his own political party- learn from that.
The hon President's pipe dream of a smart city will never be realised amidst the mismanagement and corruption, which contribute to South Africa lacking behind the world in terms digital communication. We cannot talk about the fourth industrial revolution whilst we do not even have a nearly, almost functioning post office, not even a post office. We do not even have a functioning public broadcaster, but then we hear in every speech the fourth industrial revolution, we are far from that. Let's get what we have, working, let's implement what we have. Let' stop the corruption, let's make appointments based on merits. Learn from the Hlaudi Motsoeneng incident, listen to opposition parties; listen what is said, and listen when people within the entities tell you that there is a problem with a certain individual. Do not just ignore them.
The whole SABC destruction could have been prevented or limited if the Minister at that stage and ANC listened, but they chose to protect their cadre and now he is the ACM cadre. Stop your cadre deployment, if this is not done, the President's dream and actually a fairy tale of a smart city will remain a fairy tale
and the only place where the hon Minister will feature is as a fictional princess within that fairy tale. I thank you.
Hon
Chairperson, let me recognize the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, other Ministers and Deputy Ministers here present, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, hon Hope Papo, members of the portfolio committee, director-generals of respective departments, commissioners of the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, captains of industry, distinguished guests, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen, let me start out by apologizing to the House for the regrettable incident that took place at last week's portfolio committee session. This was not out of disrespect to the portfolio committee and all South Africans; it was the effects of taking new flu medication and bearing the consequences thereof. I unconditionally apologise. [Interjections.]
With eight days left to Mandela Day, we as the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies are guided by the words
of our former President, Nelson Mandela, when he said and I quote: "The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear". With many challenges to face and the many unknowns that come with the advancement of technology, like Madiba said, we have to be brave and conquer those fears. As we head into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, our drive needs to be underpinned by strong institutions, especially the state- owned enterprises, agencies and regulators.
Significant strides have been made to transform the SABC from being the mouthpiece of the apartheid government into a true public broadcaster. The uninterrupted coverage of the 2019 national and provincial elections enabled South Africans from all walks of life the opportunity to receive pertinent information about the elections, therefore facilitating a participatory democracy. This once again positioned the national broadcaster as an important pillar of our democracy and is probably best summed up by the analysis of Media Monitoring Africa - an independent media monitoring group, which concluded the following and I quote:
The SABC's coverage of the 2019 general elections are to be strongly commended, not just because they were overwhelmingly fair, but because there was a clear shift to offer more citizens voices; political parties were equitably covered; the SABC stood up for their editorial independence; provincial coverage was in line with general population spread and to the best of our knowledge, no formal complaints about the SABC's failure to run party adverts or messages were lodged.
This proves, hon Mokoena, how the SABC is depoliticised.
Chairperson, can I just ask a question? [Interjections.] Why is the ANC not clapping about the equitable coverage.
Hon Van Damme! Hon Van Damme, I did not allow you to do that. Hon Deputy Minister, can you proceed.
Thank you.
The ANC is aware, so we are trying to educate you. [Interjections.] And this happened at a time when the SABC was faced with unprecedented financial challenges which were mainly the result of mismanagement, corruption and an outdated funding model. Government understands these challenges and commits itself to finding lasting solution - and of course our Minister has come up with those, which includes working with the SABC and other stakeholders.
In this respect, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has commissioned the Government Technical Advisory Centre, Gtac, at National Treasury to assist with the development of the corporate strategy of the SABC to ensure that it is sustainable and forward looking. It is within this context that the Minister of Finance has charged his Director- General, Mr Dondo Mogajane, to determine how the SABC can be assisted from within Treasury's contingency reserves as indicated in the Minister of Finance's February 2019 Budget Speech. We are truly indebted to the board, management and staff of the SABC who have continued to steer the ship through stormy seas which were not
of their own doing. We will be working studiously and speedily with Gtac, the SABC current lender, and National Treasury - as the Minister has outlined, to ensure that the SABC gets the assistance it desperately needs in the interim whilst parliamentary processes are being finalised.
The department has also identified policies that need to be amended to create an enabling environment for the turnaround and complete recovery of the SABC, taking into account the changing market and technological advances. This will entail amendments to the Broadcasting Act and the Electronic Communications Act, amongst others.
We call upon all government departments and state-owned entities to use the SABC as a platform to educate, inform and entertain about specific areas of work, cutting across various sectors such as health, sport, transport, etc. This will enable us to position the SABC as your home, within the homes of South Africans. This can and should happen, if we get all government departments and its entities to understand that the SABC is a fundamental platform for public content. I have no doubt that we
can build a public broadcaster which makes the paying of TV licences worthy. I expect all members to really lead by example. [Applause.]
A good and viable broadcaster is central to the development and growth of the audiovisual content and creative industries. The creative industry was identified by World Economic Forum as a high priority industry, and our current discussions on the renewed industrial policy has affirmed it as one of the future economic growth sectors for South Africa. In this regard, the department will prioritise the development of an audiovisual and digital content strategy. Engagements with the creative industry are ongoing and the department has already committed funds to support this initiative.
In support of the development of more local content, as required by section 38 of the Broadcasting Act, the Ministry will appoint members of the public and industry to serve on the SA Broadcast Production Advisory Body which will advise on strategies and plans towards the creation of a South African local content industry. This will take into account efforts towards
positioning South Africa as a significant player in the global digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Financial inclusion is an important pillar of any economy. Over the years government has positioned the Postbank to become a trusted bank for many in our country, especially those who cannot access current banks. Currently, the Postbank has about 5,8 million clients with R5,3 billion in deposits, excluding SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, which amounts to 7,8 million grant recipients. Our competitive edge remains rooted in decades of building trust in communities, and in supporting South Africans who would not normally have access to banking by giving them a form of economic emancipation. So, I hear that the EFF is aligning with the ANC in this regard.
A significant number of South Africans started their banking with the Postbank and still do ...
Hon Deputy Minister, there is a point of order. Hon Mokoena, what is your point of order?
Sorry, Chair, it is point of correction. We are not aligning; it is part of our pillars. It is one of our main pillars to have a state-owned ... [Interjections.]
You are
learning from the best. Thank you.
That is not a point of order; sit down. Hon Deputy Minister, can you proceed.
So, you
are learning form the best. The payments of social grants through the postal network has brought convenience and even dignity to many of our people because of the extensive network of the Post Office, across more than 1000 outlets. As we speak, Postbank is developing its strategy - so, the strategy exist, which will be unveiled in the next few months. This will enable it to compete in the market while focusing on its immediate responsibilities to ensure financial inclusivity. We are getting there; "ukukhawuleza" [speeding up] is our approach now.
The Banks Act did not previously allow state-owned entities to hold bank licences. This has since been amended, and paved the way for the licensing of the Postbank. During the current financial year, we will amend the Postbank Act to align it with the Banks Act. The department has already delinked the assets of the Postbank from those of the SA Post Office.
It is safe to say we are in the process of concluding the regulatory framework for the first state-owned bank in the democratic dispensation. [Interjections.]
IsiZulu:
Kuya sheshwa la.
English:
The corporatisation model of the Postbank will ensure that we progress to q state-owned bank which will fulfil both economic and social transformation mandates, serve the unbanked and underbanked, offering accessible, simple, and affordable banking solutions to our people. So, hon Mokoena, we have a roadmap.
IsiXhosa:
Siyakhawuleza manje.
English:
The postal market is undergoing critical changes impacted by the rapid pace of technological advancements. Throughout the world the traditional mail volumes are in severe decline, which necessitate a complete rethink of the role of the Post Office. In South Africa, the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper already recognises the strategic role of the Post Office in the changed market and ever-changing technological environment. In this regard, the Post Office will launch on e-commerce platform which is being implemented jointly with the Universal Postal Union, UPU, a United Nation agency for postal services. Last year we committed to partner with the UPU to make Sapo one of the three hubs in Africa.
I am pleased to report the increased co-operation with regional operators to enable trade and logistics solutions in the region and internationally. In addition to e-commerce, the department will work with the Post Office to redefine its mandate in the
roll-out of e-government as set out in the White Paper. The diversificafion of the mandate of the Post Office follows on government's financial investment in the Post Office over the last three years. This will also enable the Post Office to digitise its network by connecting all post offices to high- speed internet.
As we continue to focus on the digitisation of the postal network, Sapo will continue to roll out addresses to assist government to comply with what is called the Tlokwe ruling of the Constitutional Court. In the past two years the department has supported the Post Office with funds to roll out addresses and about 4.9 million new addresses have been introduced, far exceeding the original target of 3.5 million.
This assisted the IEC, greatly, in preparations for the 2021 local government elections. As the ANC, we are ready for local government elections. The roll-out of these new addresses will enable the recipient communities and households to participate in the economy, and over and above that, it gives our people a sense of belonging.
To sustain the postal network, government has reinstated the Universal Service Obligation Fund and dedicated Rl,5 billion over a three-year period. This is important considering the huge cost of sustaining a postal network. Due to the successful implementation of this project of R50 million funding from the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services, and an additional R35 million grant was approved to support the development of the national address database envisaged in the national ICT policy. The focus is for the coming year to obtain approval on an amendment to our legislation that approves the data custodianship for addresses. The socioeconomic conditions that are faced by women, youth, and people with disabilities, remain at the centre of our programmes and policy framework - rightfully so.
In the 2Ol8-l9 Budget Vote speech, the department committed to host and implement programmes targeting women, children, people with disabilities, and our SMMEs. We hosted the National ICT Accessibility Symposium in Mafikeng where over 225 persons with disabilities were in attendance, and where the outcome of the symposium was a heightened awareness amongst the attendees of
what is available to them in the ICT sector. And I am glad that Mme Masingita Masunga is also in our mist and she will be carrying our message through. It also provided an opportunity for the sector to showcase what innovations and technologies are available in South Africa to support persons with disabilities. We are passionate about the use of innovation and technologies that support and empower persons with disabilities.
As with anything, there is a negative side to technology. As such, the protection of children is a key priority for the department. We hosted the Child Online Protection Programme, providing support to the Web Rangers programme, which is a national digital literacy initiative to equip young people between the ages of l2 and l7 to empower themselves and their peers to be safe online. The programme reached just under 1 500 young people across the country, equipping them to be web rangers in their respective schools, with the idea to catalyse the awareness and behaviours of safe online activity. The schools social media policy, which previously only focused on the restriction of cellphone usage in schools, has now been
expanded with a priority on policy changes, to include aspects of cyberbullying, sexting and sexual grooming.
The department has implemented the e-parenting programme across all nine provinces, with just under 500 parents to date. We are calling on all political parties to also join hands with government in some of these programmes because it is important for our parents to understand all these things.
The department will be implementing the digital inclusion awareness programme in 2019-20, on the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for four components of society, namely women, youth, children and people with disabilities. This will include the Young Women and ICT Dialogue in August 2019, with a focus on the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution - all of you on my left are invited.
South Africa is currently a member of various international organisations such as the International Telecommunications Union, World Intellectual Property Organization, as well as regional and continental formations dealing with the sector. Our
strategic focus is mainly around the creation of a fair and equitable global communications environment, harnessing the value of strategic resources such as the radio frequency spectrum, as the Minister has spoken to, and universal standards.
As I conclude, I would like to say that all these initiatives constitute elements of a dream of the South Africa we want, and the actions we are going to take to make those dreams a reality. I started out my speech today by quoting Nelson Mandela, and I want to close with a famous Madiba quote on this Mandela Month: "A winner is a dreamer who never gives up." "Malibongwe!" [Let it be praised!]. "Siyaqhuba!" [We are advancing!]. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
Thank you very much, House Chair,...
IsiXhosa:
... niqhuba nibuya umva okanye kwi...
English:
... traffic circle. South has already missed the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, committed deadline, Minister as you are aware. The question is: How do you intend to fast track this process? Another very critical issue to ask is that, South Africa has fallen behind the rest of the world regarding the assignment of the 5G spectrum as the Ministry has decided to assign the 4G spectrum before it assigns the 5G spectrum. The question that we want to ask you Minister which I think is pertinent, should the Minister not consider simultaneous assignment of both 4G and 5G spectrum. Another very critical question for you to answer Minister: Is foreign owned OMEs such as Huwaei, Erricson, ZTE and Nokia are increasing their value chain participation by providing full tacky services. This results to the exclusion and marginalisation of black SMMEs. What processes has the department put in place to monitor and ensure that big telecoms players such as MTN, Vodacom and Telkom remain accountable especially towards meeting their BEE participation in the industry value.
Another important question for you and an issue to consider Minister is that, phase one of SA Connect promised to provide
broadband services to over 6000 government facilities especially rural schools and clinics. What is the status of this project? When should we expect its completion?
I now want to come to the SABC, and to say in particular that...
IsiXhosa:
... uMphathiswa weSebe lezeziMali uyayithanda injezu, unesigqezu [Kwahlekwa].
English:
I want to quote the report of the Committee on Communications, which says, the report of the committee commends the SABC board and management for: "savings of R1 billion on the basis of a strategy implemented by the board to, firstly, increase revenue. Secondly, contain costs. Thirdly, resolve internal inefficiencies. The same report says, it commends the SABC a balanced coverage of the elections which has already been cited here and it goes further and says, for the improvement in TV licence collections fees. Is that not a turn around strategy. It
gives an indication that the institution is turning around and that is exactly what we discussed last year.
IsiXhosa:
Nithetha ukuthini ke ngoku xa nisithi akukho...
English:
... turn around strategy.
IsiXhosa:
Sanukudlala ipolitiki apha, la masela.
English:
The other issue which I think is of critical importance is that, what appears to be a political tug of war between the departmental government and the SABC is creating uncertainty for staff members at the SABC.
IsiXhosa:
Hayi nantso, nitsho.
English:
All of the issues that we have highlighted here I quoted them from the report of the Committee of Parliament and are issues that we certainly discussed in the portfolio committee last year. The management and the board committed to doing this issues, they have done them ...
IsiXhosa:
... bayaqhuba kancinci, anifuni ukubanika imali kuba nineengxaki zenu. Siyanixhasa, kodwa khawuzame sisi, siza kububuya.
Hon Chair, fellow committee members Minister, and Deputy Minister, boards executives and staff from related state owned corporations and entities, the media and hon guests.
Following the Departments of Communications, and Telecommunications and Postal Services 2019 Annual Performance Plan presentation on O3 July 2019, and our consideration of the budgets and the committee reports on O9 July 2019, I am convinced, agree and rise to support this progressive budget. The debate comes in the immediate aftermath of the President's
state of the nation address on the Sixth Parliament, the first South African Digital Economy Summit, held last week in Johannesburg.
In many ways, this is a sector of many firsts and the new departments will be a pioneered. We have the great fortune of being pathfinders for our nation in these unchartered waters. The President has made commitments that government will, open the doors of learning for all and this is a skills revolution. The President also made a commitment that will lower the cost of communications young people call it, data must fall. Extend free Wi-Fi access to more sites in the country, particularly the most vulnerable. As a cadre from the rural province of North West, I have been grappling with these complex concepts in the past few weeks since the ANC deployed me to this Committee. Cleary the future we have always dreamed about is here. As Dr Martin Luther King Jr said,
We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now, urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum life of history, there
"is" such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.
Our people are not interested in the drama which some political parties have brought to Parliament. The critics of the Fourth Industrial Revolution will be asking this question: What will be the future of work in the in the current revolution? How will work be defined?
Their prediction is that 5 million jobs will be lost by 2020 to technology, in construction, manufacturing, public health and many other sectors. But for us as the ANC this is not the main question, but the main question is, what would be the new forms of education and training that our people need because the world now is open to learning. How do we take advantage of this phenomenon? The principle regarding automation is that anything that a repetitive task, a machine can do better in their view, cheaper and without having to take any vacation or sick leave. Our task as the ANC-led government is to interface this human, nature and technology collaboration. What we need in this
interface is to first identify all the things that the machine cannot do. For instance, the machine cannot produce itself, therefore we need human creativity. A machine cannot regularly service itself, maintain and operate itself. Therefore more technicians are needed. I am just giving you these few examples.
This shows that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has more opportunities for human participation. This path cannot lead us to a digital apartheid, a society where there are massive disparities between those who have access and those who are excluded. For the ANC, this digital revolution must be characterized by inclusive, shared growth and development. Our values and principles of striving for social and economic justice must remain our guiding light. This budget has responded to the clarion call of growing South Africa together including the opposition.
Hon members, as the ANC we are convinced that this Ministry has focused on the seven priorities announced by then President. May I remind you of those that are specific to our portfolio: Economic transformation and job creation, education, skills and
health, social cohesion, safe communities as well as building a capable ethical and developmental state. A better Africa, and a better world. Focusing on the above we will, indeed, go a long way in the transforming the South African society in building of a better life for all.
Hon Chair, we are comforted by the fact that you have correctly translated the ANC Manifesto into an electoral mandate, programmes into actions and concrete five-year programme for implementation. Above all, we are encouraged and totally agree with you when you say broadband mobile data price will fall. As you finalise the policy directives on the allocation and licensing process of the high demand spectrum; we would like to ask and call on the mobile and fixed operations to make and do good on their promises that they will drastically reduce the prices and also ensure that the rural and semi-urban signal coverage and poor nature of service is addressed.
Minister and Deputy Minister, we would like your department to continuously brief and update Parliament as you are going to play a collaborative role in the finalisation of social compacts
for digital economy, creative sector, Information and Communications Technology, ICT, implementation plan, for the rollout of 100 digital hubs over three years. Finalisation and implementation plan to address outcomes of competition market enquiry into data prices and engage stakeholders on a possible agreement on data prices. The African Union has acknowledged that the creative and cultural industry in Africa hold great promise in the development of the continent, as they contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of our people. The above requires co-ordination to succeed.
We agree that more value is created when private and public sectors collaborate, having recognised the value of high-tech sectors and the creative industry in meeting some of the many challenges we are facing as the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds. We therefore, request your support and collaboration with the upstarts within the e-sports and gaming space. This will go a long way in creating sustainable jobs for youth, unemployed persons, women and people living with disabilities. The collaboration with Huawei, in the establishment of targeted innovative young entrepreneur's programmes, within the e-sports
and e-gaming, will go a long way in building a culture of youth entrepreneurship and job creation. We are confident that your collaboration with provincial governments, as you have done in the Free State Provincial Government and are about to do with the North West, where I come from, especially the local and district government level, is a good step towards the creation of youth digital industrial digital hubs. This is a practical and meaningful response to the President's call.
Hon members, this is a good budget plan and programmes relevant and fit for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Therefore, the ANC supports this vote [Applause].
Hon House Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Ministers and hon members, I greet you all. The NFP welcomes and supports the Budget Vote for Telecommunications and Postal Services tabled here today. The department is under major pressure with the fast evolving technological advances. Digital advancement continues to reshape our world in ways that encourage people to form new habits and find new ways to work together through effective and timeous communication methods.
The NFP believes that if the department remains committed in these key mandates to meeting strategic goals and objectives, we can keep up with the fast growing digital world; effective and efficient strategic leadership, governance and administration; a responsive communications policy regulatory environment and improved country branding; and a transformed communications sector.
We note and welcome the R64,9 million allocated for administration, the R16,4 million allocated for communication policy and R47,4 million allocate for management of enterprise development, broadcasting digital migration, industry research and analysis.
The access to information and content is indeed easy and with this luxury the need for regulatory policies are needed to protect our children. We are unable to thoroughly monitor the information and content consumed by minors but it is our duty to implement policies that can protect them as best as we can.
The suggested course on digital media in partnership with the private sector and nongovernmental organisations, NGOs, will educate communities on how they can create and make use of opportunities through digital media. We note that most South Africans do not benefit from the information communications technology, ICT, infrastructure, but we must focus on improving the promotion, growth and sustainability of small, medium and macro enterprises, SMMEs, through facilitating the implementation of the ICT SMME development strategy. We thank you.
Hon House Chairperson and all members here present, permit me to start at the end - the last two paragraphs - and indicate that COPE calls on Parliament to instruct government to urgently address problems faced by the schedule two public entity of the Public Finance Management Act, PFMA, namely the South African Broadcasting Corporation,SABC. We must emphasise that it is in crisis.
South Africans, particularly the working class and the poor, cannot survive without the SABC. We call on government to give
SABC a bailout of not less that R3,2 billion that they have requested. For SABC to survive it needs quality and content. For this to be attained there must be staff. Some amongst us have and continue to campaign for the staff reduction. That campaign is wrong as it both ignores labour relations - that is section 189 as well as skills development including the quality and content that is required.
Furthermore, it has problems of buildings. Those of us who have gone to SABC, not only where their head office is in Johannesburg but all over the country, we have seen the buildings that are collapsing and that has to be addressed. I must emphasise that some of us have been to see one worker who has been in the ICU over the past two months as a result of a building that collapsed and that is a major problem.
There are other very serious problems there as well: They cannot even pay for the electricity and the toilets are blocked and all that. We need to do something. I must say to the Minister, through you House Chairperson, that there needs to be correction because when she gave the committee the report she painted a
picture that she and the Minister of Finance were agreeing in so far as their route to dealing with the SABC problems was concerned.
That which has gone out through the public media ... and I believe and hope that ... [Time expired.]
Hon Chairperson, the Fourth Industrial Revolution creates a sense of excitement and hon Minister, you have captured the nation's imagination. But we must also have on the raider cyber cities in deep rural areas to get corporates to relocate in their droves to make money there.
All this must be done in preparation of the cyber civilisations with South Africa as a member of this civilisation. If you achieve this, hon Minister, you will be part of royalty and the envy of the Official Opposition.
Hon Minister, the nation is waiting for the finalisation of policy directors on the spectrums so the country can catch up on progress like we see in developed countries. The President, in
his state of the nation address, identified the need to strengthen the capacity of the state. The Independent Communications Authority of South, Icasa, strengthens the capacity of the private sector by giving them spectrum space. More of this space must be given to state departments like Home Affairs and the Police.
The 5G spectrum streams must be allocated to them to capacitate them and save them money rather than paying exorbitant future prices. Having said that, we want to acknowledge that Icasa continues to be an independent and credible regulator. While its broadband service like 5G must be free, and Icasa must be creative to make this possible, uptake of 5G systems must be speeded up and monopolies must be avoided.
The interim relief for the SABC is welcome; we must support the public broadcaster now that it is free and no longer captured. The digital economy in South Africa is in young hands which gives us hope and Al Jama-ah, with a sense of excitement, wishes you, hon Minister, all the success. [Applause.]
House Chairperson, it's delightful to stand in a single Chamber today that is as it should be where all the old split-up departments of Communications and Telecommunications and Postal Services are here under one roof, debating as one. Even President Ramaphosa didn't wait for any sunrise, any new dawn or old before quickly joining the two departments back together again - if only in name and under a single Minister in the Fifth Parliament. We wish the same Minister success in the term ahead.
I'm also delighted to see the committee's positive recommendation of this departmental unification, albeit after the fact. Is there anyone in this House who thought splitting the two departments in the first place was a good idea? Put up your hands! Anyone? No? Not one? There we go! Because, what a monumental waste of effort, money and time that was - fruitless and wasteful indeed.
South Africa's telecommunications environment is arguably the most liberalised sector in the country. Yet, this sector which should be the freest isn't free. It should be creating thousands
more jobs, up-skilling more youngsters, growing technical careers, developing small business and contributing massively to the coffers of the state. Instead, it finds itself completely constrained by lack of spectrum. You can't see it, touch it or feel it, but spectrum is all around us. It's infinite and indescribably valuable -- billions upon billions of rands worth.
Now, there are companies that want to pay for and use this spectrum for mobile network development and rollout. Government is the custodian of this spectrum on behalf of the people of South Africa and are supposed to use the spectrum for the benefit of the people of South Africa. Yet, you have dragged your heels for more than five years in releasing the spectrum for term sale or lease.
Effectively, government imprisoned spectrum for purely political ends and I am sure that make spectrum a political prisoner. In fact, so determined was this government to keep this prisoner locked up that it took Icasa to court to ensure that it stayed that way.
Minister, if you are holding a sector to ransom by delaying the release of high demand spectrum, be fair and tell them what the ransom is. At least then they can consider buying their freedom. Let Icasa hold an auction now, pitch it high and use the revenue raised for other government priorities. But you can't continue to do nothing. It is like owning a house that you can rent out to generate revenue but then you don't and you leave billions uncollected year after year that could have been spent on health, education or housing for those who desperately need it. Please don't spend it on the