Chairperson, I was in a better state before that intervention. The question has been asked by hon Marais, and it is about the state of our intervention on the shortcomings in Limpopo. Limpopo is a very peculiar case, as you all know. We don't need to go into the history of that.
So, what we have had to do as the Public Service and Administration is to, first of all, conduct a readiness exercise to understand exactly where we are in terms of the implementation of our programmes there. We further had to assess the shortages of the scarce skills that are required in Limpopo, so that when we tailor our intervention it actually addresses the problems instead of exacerbating them.
I need to say, right at the outset, that the intervention that the government has put in place for the province of Limpopo is to ensure that those government programmes that need to continue are dealt with by additional support from national government. But what we are doing now with the Public Service and Administration is to ensure that we give the necessary capacity going forward.
We can indicate right now that the Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy, Palama, has provided specialised training, after the identification of what the needs are, to 2 655 public servants, as well as induction courses to ensure that the public servants in Limpopo are given the necessary essential elements and tools. We have given this to 3 171 public servants in this period. Further than that, we have given specific training which includes advanced management development, public financial management, which is absolutely essential, and the supply chain management programmes that we provide. Beyond that, together with the province of Limpopo, we have ensured that the bursaries that are given for the scarce skills that we need for that province are upgraded. In the past, in the year 2009-10, 473 bursaries were provided. This financial year 1 105 bursaries have been given to ensure that we overcome these scarce skills.
The province has implemented 419 workplace learning programmes in this financial year to fill those gaps that we have identified. We have also ensured that we enrol more learners for Adult Education and Training Programmes to uplift the basic education in the Public Service for people who do not have matriculation certificates. Thank you.
Chairperson and Minister, we know that the problems in Limpopo are due to, among other things, incompetency of especially senior staff and even heads of departments. In fact, it is also as a result of cadre deployment and ill-discipline. That has been confirmed by the National Treasury, the National Planning Commission, the Auditor-General and the Public Service Commission. Minister, have you held anybody responsible and accountable for the maladministration and malpractices in Limpopo? And what sanctions were imposed on them? Thank you.
Yes, most of what you have indicated is now common cause, especially after the Auditor- General's report on that particular province, and especially after the government's intervention in that province. However, we have not moved to the level where we are assessing who would be responsible for some of the failures. Perhaps, following on the Auditor-General's report, it would be possible to take that step forward. What we are concentrating on now is actually making sure that there is an intervention in Limpopo which ensures that the people are given the services that they are entitled to.
Going further from that, we might consider what you are asking, and by that time we will be able to come and report to Parliament on what we are doing. Thank you.
Chairperson, I am covered and I want to congratulate the Minister on having intervened in the way that she has. Thank you very much.
Status and terms of reference of National Council Against Gender-Based Violence
290. Mrs G K Tseke (ANC) asked the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:
(1) (a) What is the status of the National Council Against Gender- Based Violence that she announced in August 2012, (b) why was the council not launched in August, as had been announced and (c) by what date does she envisage the council to be launched; (2) what are the terms of reference of the council? NO3369E
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Chairperson ...
...uyayikhumbula kuba akukho women's league kule ndawo ukuyo, uhleli kabuhlungu kuyabanda, amaqhekeza engqele ayakutya. [... remember that there is no women's league where you are seated; you are seated there uncomfortably, feeling the cold.]
Following Cabinet approval on 5 December 2011, the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities began the process to watch the establishment of the National Council Against Gender-Based Violence. National consultative meetings including both government and civil society at all levels of government were convened to explore the scope of focus of the council and its establishment. The proposed establishment of the council was debated in a series of National Gender Machinery meetings.
This process was followed by the national consultative meeting, specifically called with regard to gender-based violence. This meeting was inclusive of organisations from provinces and local municipalities. The outcome of the consultation gave birth to the establishment of the interim council. There was general agreement that there is an urgent need to establish the council. The interim council, comprising departments from the Justice and Crime Prevention Cluster, including education, health and social development, was established and representatives were nominated based on the mandate of the departments and the organisations earmarked to serve on the council.
Also, provinces sent their representatives to the council. The secretariat is sitting within the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities. The interim council is inclusive of civil society, members who are working in the area of gender-based violence, women's organisations, men's organisations, religious and traditional groupings. The launch of the council will take place when all the nominated members have been vetted. We had planned to launch in August, but received advice from the Presidency that it is important that we vet all council members so that we don't make a mistake and get paedophiles,for example, as members of the council. We are therefore planning to launch the council during the 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children. I thank you, Chairperson.
Ke a leboga Mmusakgotla le Tona ka karabo e o re e neileng. Ke a tshepa gore Lefapha le tlhopile batho ba ba nang le bokgoni e bile ba na le kgatlhego ya go bona gore ditshwanelo tsa bana, bomme le set?haba ka kakaretso di a tokafadiwa, e bile maemo a tlhokofatso mo nageng ya rona a tla fokotswa.
Tlhokofatso ya basadi le bana e gola letsatsi le letsatsi. A komiti e e tla bo e eteletswe pele ke Motlatsa Tonakgolo wa naga e tla fokotsa le go ruta set?haba ka botlhokwa jwa go tshela mmogo? Ke a leboga.
TONA YA BASADI, BANA LE BATHO BA BA NANG LE DIKGWETLHO: Motlotlegi, ke nnete batho ba ba tlhophilweng go tlhopha lekgotla leno, ke batho ba ba ikemiseditseng gape ba na le bokgoni. Ditona di tlhopile bakaedikakaretso, e leng batho ba re itseng gore ba na le boikarabelo gape ba kgona go tsaya ditshwetso tse di tla re isang kwa pele. Mekgatlho le yona e rometse bakhuduthamagabagolo, diporesidente le batlatsa diporesidente ba yone. Go a bonala gore set?haba se lebile gore mokgatlho ono o tswelele pele gape o nne le boeteledipele jo bo ikemiseditseng, jo bo tla kgonang go tsaya ditshwetso tsa boammaruri tse di lebaneng le basadi le bana mo Aforika Borwa gore kgatelelo le tshotlakako ya basadi le bana e fele. Ke a leboga. (Translation of Setswana paragraphs follows.)
[Mrs G K TSEKE: Thank you, Chairperson. Thank you, Minister, for the answer that you have provided. I hope that the department has nominated members who possess the passion and the desire to see the rights of children, women and society at large protected, and who will also ensure that the levels of gender-based violence are decreased in our country.
Violence against women and children is growing daily. Will this council that will be led by the Deputy President educate our society on the importance of leading peaceful lives? Thank you.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Hon member, the representatives who nominated members to serve on the council are the people with the skill and determination. The Ministers also nominated representatives who are responsible and are able to make decisions that will move us forward to serve on the council. Different organisations also sent their executive members, presidents and deputy presidents. It is evident that society believes that this council will make progress, and possesses determined leaders who will be able to make good decisions focused on issues affecting women and children in South Africa so that violence against women and children can be brought to an end. Thank you.]
Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, the National Council Against Gender-Based Violence announced in August is not the first council established to protect vulnerable groups. In fact, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the Department of Social Development together with the monitoring and oversight function of the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities have already established a domestic violence task team, the Intersectoral Steering Committee on Sexual Offences, the Interdepartmental Management Team on Sexual Offences and the Victim Empowerment Management Forum. I do understand clearly. The Minister must tell us how this new initiative differs from the existing task teams and committees and how she proposes to really protect our women and finally end the scourge of domestic violence. Thank you.