Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members, comrades and guests, the ANC welcomes the introduction of this amending Bill and supports its passing by the House today. An important element of this Bill deals with allocations to local government and rural development - Mr Ellis, it is not a statement today; do not worry! - and land reform and agriculture. I will focus on these aspects of the Bill.
The ANC's approach to democratic governance is that local government is not only important for exercising individual autonomy and liberty in a functioning, democratic dispensation, but it is also a central feature of a developmental state that gives priority to the people in terms of the provision of public goods.
The central role of local government in development and service delivery is well articulated in the Constitution of the Republic. Chapter 7 section 153 states that:
A municipality must -
a) structure and manage its administration and budgeting and planning processes to give priority to the basic needs of the community, and to promote the social and economic development of the community; and
b) participate in national and provincial development programmes.
In recognition of the realities of uneven development in our country and the terrible legacy of previous apartheid spatial planning, the Constitution further promotes a redistributive approach to financing in our governance system. Chapter 13, section 227 stipulates that:
(1) Local government and each province -
a) is entitled to an equitable share of revenue raised nationally to enable it to provide basic services and perform the functions allocated to it; and
b) may receive other allocations from national government revenue, either conditionally or unconditionally.
The Bill proposes adjustments for certain areas of local government. We need to acknowledge the fact that without capacity, local government will not meet its constitutional obligations. In this regard, the municipal systems improvement grant, the purpose of which is to assist municipalities in building in-house capacity to perform their functions and stabilise institutional and governance systems, will receive R212 million this financial year. This will grow to R224 720 million in 2011-12, and up to R235 million for 2012-2013.
The local government financial management grant, the purpose of which is to promote and support reforms in financial management by building capacity in municipalities to implement the Financial Management Act, is allocated R364 589 million for 2010-11, R384 641 million for 2011-12, and R403 873 million for 2012-13.
The revised allocations and the increase in the total baseline allocations to local government have to be welcomed. This is particularly significant in the sense that additional allocations are focused on infrastructure and areas of maximum economic development potential.
Water services and infrastructure are critical for the achievement of our goals for rural development, land reform and food security. They are consistent with our development priorities as stated in the ANC election manifesto which commits government to implementing a comprehensive rural and agricultural development and land reform programme. Food security for the most vulnerable rural sectors receives a grant allocation to assist farming communities to achieve an increase in agricultural production and to enhance a sustainable conservation of natural resources through a community-based priority approach. Coupled with this, job opportunities are created through the Expanded Public Works Programme, which will generate much-needed revenue opportunities.
Ons is ook baie dankbaar vir die R50 miljoen wat vir die Wes-Kaap bewillig is om te kyk na die droogte-geteisterde gebiede. In die verlede is hierdie geld aangewend by die plekke waar die behoefte die grootste is. In 'n groot mate het die bystand van Agri Wes-Kaap 'n groot rol gespeel by insette rondom die identifisering van hierdie droogte-geteisterde gebiede. Ek wil graag die Minister versoek om op 'n gereelde basis hierdie proses to monitor sodat die werklike droogte-geteisterde gebiede nie oorgeslaan word ten gunste van politieke gewin nie. Ons moet nooit die armste van die armes op die landbou-akker vergeet nie.
Dieselfde behandeling is ook van toepassing op kommersile boere en opkomende boere wat finansiel baie swaar kry. Ek pleit dus dat die toedeling van hierdie fondse te alle tye op 'n regverdige, eerbare en wetenskaplike wyse sal plaasvind. Minister, ek laat dit in u bekwame hande. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[We are also very grateful for the R50 million which has been allocated to the Western Cape for use in drought-stricken areas. In the past, this money was utilised in places where the need was the greatest. To a large extent the contribution of Agri Western Cape played a big role with inputs around the identification of these drought-stricken areas. I would like to request the Minister to monitor this process regularly, to prevent the real drought- stricken areas from being overlooked in favour of political gain. We must never forget the poor people who are working the land.
The same treatment can also be applicable to commercial farmers and emerging farmers who are struggling financially. Therefore, I want to urge that the allocation of these funds must at all times take place in an equitable, honourable and scientific manner. Minister, I leave it in your capable hands.]
Water infrastructure in the development of agriculture forms a critical part of the government's Comprehensive Rural Development Programme. Although this programme is led by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, its ultimate implementation and achievement is dependent on local government and its capacity to deliver. The role of local government in building and developing an agricultural economy in our country should not be underestimated and, therefore, building water infrastructure must be given priority.
The additional allocations in this adjustment address a critical area of water infrastructure in local government and the equitable share, which is important for the development of our agricultural economy. On this basis, the ANC supports the amending Bill.
HON MEMBERS: Malibongwe! [Praise!] [Applause.]