Hon Deputy Chairperson, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the Council:
That the Council -
1) notes with profound sadness and deep sorrow the passing away of the hon Mrs Bertha Nonkumbi Gxowa who passed away on Friday, 19 November, only a few days before her 77th birthday;
2) further notes that the hon Mrs Gxowa or Ma Bertha, as she was affectionately known, was born on 28 November 1934 in Germiston and will be laid to rest at the Thomas Nkobi, South Park, cemetery in Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg.
Hon member, may I propose that you hold that and pass it as a motion without notice. I think it will carry more weight. Thank you.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the Council:
That the Council -
1) notes that Thursday, 25 November, marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign, which is an international campaign to raise awareness about the persistence of violence against women and children in many societies across the globe;
2) further notes that the theme for this year is "Don't look away, act against abuse", which focuses on the unfinished agenda of uniting the global community to speak out against gender-based violence and the abuse of women and children in their homes and communities; and
3) reaffirms its support for the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign and commits to brazenly speak out against the abuse of women and children in our society.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, on a point of order: I just want to take you back to the decision that you have made regarding the notice of motion that was moved by the hon Chief Whip. In my understanding it is the prerogative of the member to decide how to present the motion. Procedurally, I don't think it was right that you made that ruling.
Hon member, I think I have made a correct proposal to the respective Chief Whip and that is why she did not even query it, but I will call her when it is motions without notice. Thus far, I think I was correct.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, I give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the Council -
1) notes that the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, is using the World Festival of Youth and Students to partner with radical groups such as the Workers' Party of North Korea and Zanu-PF of Zimbabwe; 2) further notes that a budget adjustment of R29 million was approved for the nine-day extravaganza with 30 000 delegates, ill-afforded by the mandate of the NYDA;
3) recognises that the NYDA approached all nine provinces for a R4 million contribution to the festival;
4) requests that a financial report be submitted to this House that clearly indicates the expenses of this delusional grandeur, as well as a report by each of the nine provinces as to what provincial contributions were made for which expenses; and
5) calls on the President, members of Cabinet, Parliament, state departments and the private sector not to attend the festival as such attendance would legitimise the undemocratic, oppressive and totalitarian regimes associated with the festival.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, I give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the Council, on behalf of the Democratic Alliance and all members of the National Council of Provinces -
1) wishes to thank the support staff of Parliament for the organisation and arrangements for "Taking Parliament to the People" in Qwaqwa, Free State province;
2) recognises that the facilities such as clean toilets, a huge marquee tent, accommodation and the food was a big improvement on the previous "Taking Parliament to the People" programme; and
3) is wholeheartedly and truly thankful for the assistance provided to members by the support staff.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, I give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the Council -
1) notes that the acid mine water crisis will reach disastrous and irreversible proportions at the Witwatersrand by February 2012;
2) further notes that the critical level will be when the acid mine water reaches a level of 150 m below the surface at the South Western vertical shaft at ERPM just south of Germiston;
3) recognises that it is predicted that a few weeks after February 2012, when the ground water will be contaminated, it will flow into the central business district in Boksburg from the Cinderella East Shaft at an average flow rate of 57 megalitres per day;
4) requests that the task team, Cabinet, and Parliament take this matter and their responsibility seriously in respect of disaster management and prevention, and take immediate necessary action to resolve as much of the disaster as possible with timeous preventative measures within the next few weeks; and
5) calls on the relevant stakeholders to inform this House of the financial management and progress of the process.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, I give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the Council -
1) notes the failure of government to act decisively against those drug dealers who are robbing Aids patients of their life- supporting drugs to create a concoction, with dagga, called "Whoonga";
2) further notes failure of government to go on the offensive to win public support in order to stamp out this practice successfully; and
3) recognises the urgent necessity for government to not only be highly proactive in this regard, but to be seen by the public to be proactive.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, I give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the Council -
1) notes the unacceptable lack of adequate security in our courts to allow for safe and incident-free hearing of cases against those suspects who are brought before these courts;
2) further notes the frequency with which those in detention escape from court cells, as happened once again in the Somerset West regional court on Friday, 19 November 2010, when six detainees escaped from their cells; and
3) recognises the need for government to ensure that security within the court precincts is thoroughly reviewed as a matter of utmost urgency.
Deputy Chairperson, on a point of order: I also have one on Ma Bertha. Can I also read it? [Interjections.] I am going to read it now.
I actually appealed to hon Ntwanambi to hold back the motion. We can't have two motions on one thing.
Deputy Chairperson, I don't think it will be proper to suppress what Cope wants to say about Ma Bertha's funeral.
I don't think there should be an argument. Hon Bloem is out of order. He is now speaking as hon Bloem and not as an organisation or a party. I think we should not even engage in dialogues here.
Hon Bloem, let me consult. Can you take your seat?
Deputy Chairperson, please consult.
Hon Bloem, actually there was no need for even discussing the issue. The mistake you have made is that you say you are no longer talking as an hon member in this Chamber but that you are now promoting your party. I actually explained to you that I had asked the hon Chief Whip to hold back. So, let's not argue about it. Take your seat. Thank you.
Thank you, I will give it to the newspapers.
Hon Bloem, are you saying that I must take it as a threat?
Deputy Chairperson, no, not at all.
Can you then withdraw what you have just said?
In what way, Deputy Chairperson?
Hon member, can you withdraw it?
In doing what, Deputy Chair? I am going to give it. Even if I do read it, I will give it to the newspaper.
Hon Bloem, I will not argue with you. Take your seat. I want an apology in writing around that threat.
Deputy Chairperson, you have ruled. You have moved and there is time set for motions and you can't go beyond that. Members must understand that.
I am sorry about it. I'll try next time.
Deputy Chairperson, I move ... [Interjections.]
Deputy Chairperson, on a point of order: The member there has raised his hand and now the Chief Whip is making a ruling by telling you that you ... [Interjections.] It is not correct.
Hon Bloem, I looked around and the last person ... [Interjections.] Unfortunately, the time is up.
Deputy Chairperson, on a point of order: This Council started at 10:00. It is now 10:15. In terms of the 20 minutes allocated for motions, I am still in the timeframe of this Council.
When did you have your hand up?
Deputy Chairperson, at the beginning.
She also noted the people and I verified my list against this list. May I explain to the hon members that 20 minutes are allocated for both notices of motions and motions without notice. Is that understood? Thank you.