That's not a point of order. You are out of order. Can you continue, hon Bartman.
Ms D M BAARTMAN (Western Cape: Chairperson Portfolio Committee - Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism; and Chairperson Portfolio Committee - Budget Committee): Chairprson, through you to the members, the Western Cape's provincial constitutional mandate has its limits in terms of decision-making and implementation ability, for example, with regards to the energy mix as well as the management of water resources.
Through the Western Cape government's Energy Security Game Changer, the Western Cape aims to reduce its electricity demand from Eskom by 10% over the next three years with the installation of rooftop PV, increased installations of solar water heaters, reduction of energy usage in public and private buildings and promotion of
industrialisation by importing natural gas. We also have our regional commitments partnering with the with the Free State of Bavaria on transitioning to climate refrigeration-friendly gases. Further, we are now supporting municipalities to allow small scale embedded generation with majority of our municipalities allowing this and have the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, Nersa, approved feed-in tariffs. Households should be allowed to generate their own and sell their own energy.
To put our money where our mouth is, the Western Cape has now allocated a budget of R60 million over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, period to the green economy team in order to support municipalities who wish to procure energy from independent power producers. Eskom wants IPPs because allowing them on the grid would allow Eskom time and space to do maintenance. Unlike the Koeberg Nuclear Station, the maintenance for Eskom is not legislated. So if the member from the EFF wishes to bring something to the House perhaps we should start legislating maintenance for Eskom
The Western Cape has a population of seven million people - 51% are female - two million households in total where third of them being female-led. Research literature confirms that women carry a
disproportionate amount of the impact from the consequences of poor quality living environments as well as natural disasters. Further, there is an environmental risk likely to impact upon the quality of life, energy and food security of these households with the most burdens falling on women and girls. This is why the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs has a permanent gender main streaming forum as part of its annual programmes.
Loadshedding means women are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to adequate, affordable and safe energy options. Women suffer the brunt of loadshedding a result of the implementation of South Africa's energy plan over the years.
A particular study in Gweru, Zimbabwe where a study of families' household electricity showed that women indicated that they had to go to sleep early without cooking or prepare meals when there is electricity, and they go for uncalled fasting while the men were more likely to go out to pubs, clubs or visiting friends. One woman commented that when her children went to bed without eating she was seen as, I quote "not being a caring mother."
In this study, it was clear that loadshedding encouraged men to engage more in the public sphere where women had to be confined in
the home to deal with loadshedding. This study further showed how women are the energy decision-makers. When loadshedding occurred, all of a sudden they were under scrutiny by the men for how they are spending their budgets. Loadshedding is now disproportionately discriminating and disempowers already vulnerable women. Loadshedding is sexist. By not advocating for more progressive energy mix in South Africa, by not fast tracking the decommissioning of coal, by not brining IPPs and cleaners and alternative energies on the grid, we are failing the women of South Africa.
The national Minister of Environmental Affairs needs to please urgently consult the national Minister of Energy regarding the impact of the integrated resource plan as well as the impact of not moving with speed to cleaner and or renewable energy sources in our country in line with our international obligations; as well as the impact of not reducing our carbon emissions.
We have a constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to our health and our wellbeing. Minister Creecy, through the Chair and the House, you have immense power to influence our national energy plan and energy mix and as a result advocate for decisions in order for us to reduce our carbon emissions in line with our international obligations. I am thus here today to request,
Minister, help us help you. Chairperson, it is time to take back our power. I thank you.