Hon Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister of the Department of Public Enterprises, hon members, chief executive officers and management of our state-owned enterprises, ladies and gentlemen ...
... madume gotswa go ANC. [... greetings from the ANC.]
As we support Budget Vote No 11 of the Department of Public Enterprises, it is important for us to remind ourselves from the beginning that the state has a central role to play in leading initiatives aimed at achieving a decent quality of life for all. That is possible with an effective and efficient democratic developmental state administration, underpinned by the values of Batho Pele.
State-owned enterprises serve as the vehicle of implementation of government programmes and their development mandate should be realigned to support radical economic transformation. Therefore, radical economic transformation programmes remain the focus of the government, and state- owned enterprises are central in this regard.
It is within this context that I will engage with the Budget Vote of Public Enterprises in general, but with particular focus on the state manufacturing enterprises of Denel, Alexkor and the SA Forestry Company Limited, Safcol.
The ANC continues to applaud Denel's financial turnaround and its delivery on major products and projects in support of the SA National Defence Force. We also commit to our continued monitoring mandate over the medium-term period to ensure Denel's sustainability and profitability.
Denel has contributed immensely through investment in advanced manufacturing capabilities in the country. The entity invests millions in research and development and has a comprehensive programme that addresses the socioeconomic challenges facing South Africa. This programme includes the following: A talent management programme, which promotes skills transfer and the training of its young engineers; a systems engineer development programme; mentorships; and bursaries and study loans.
Denel Technical Academy trained 231 apprentices and 754 young people in short courses in engineering and aviation-related fields in the 2013-14 financial year. In its schools outreach programme, maths and science improvement programmes were offered for learners in Grades 11 and 12 in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Free State. Denel has assisted 480 learners in these five provinces collectively. Denel has given 249 bursaries to successful matriculants, which included studying for university degrees, apprenticeships and technician training.
Denel collaborates with the Association of South African Women in Science and Engineering to support and mentor women. Is this not a good story to tell? [Interjections.]
HON MEMBERS: It is!