Well, special advisers give special advice on special issues. [Laughter.] That is what they are there for. [Interjections.] These would be men and women who add value and enhance the capacity of the principals to perform because the responsibilities that lie on the shoulders of a head of state are quite onerous. Therefore it is important that there should be a team of people that can ensure that the country is given good and effective leadership. That is why there is no fixed number, as it were, with regard to special advisers. The President can appoint as many special advisers as is required. Thank you.
Visits to provinces as part of War on Poverty campaign and report on issues raised by communities 10. Ms M P Themba (ANC) asked the Deputy President:
(1) Whether he or the President visited any province as part of the Government's War on Poverty campaign or anti-poverty programme since the new government took office in 2009; if not, why not; if so, how many provinces were visited;
(2) whether the government (a) compiled a report of the issues raised by communities and (b) established mechanisms to (i) address and (ii) follow up on the issues; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether reports of this nature are discussed at Cabinet level or sent to provinces for consideration and action; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
(4) whether any of the Ministries and/or provinces have reported to the Presidency on their progress in addressing the issues; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the overall assessment of the responses of the departments and/or provinces in addressing the issues?