1.14 Human Rights Month• Theme:“TheYearofORTambo:UnityinActioninAdvancingHumanRights”

• SouthAfricansareencouragedtopaytributetothosewhosacrificedinourstruggleforfreedomtoensureweenjoyhumanrights.

• HumanRightsDayDate:21March2017–Celebrations:Ginsberg,KingWilliam’sTown(EasternCape).Event:PresidentJacobZumawillofficiallyhandoverthememorialgravesiteofSteveBantuBikototheBiko-family.

01 MARCH 2017

STATEMENT ON CABINET MEETING 01 MARCH 2017

CabinetStatement

2. CABINET DECISIONS

1. IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES

1.2 National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)• 300 000newandreturningstudentstostudyatuniversitiesandtechnicalandvocationaleducationandtraining(TVET)colleges.

• R15 billiontoassistinalleviatingthefinancialburdenforfinanciallyneedyandmissingmiddlestudents.

1.3 Operation Phakisa for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development• OperationPhakisa-derivedfromMalaysia’sBigFastResultsmethodology-formspartofourNinePointPlanImplementationtoolkit.

• Seekstoachieve:Inclusivegrowth,asprescribedbytheNationalDevelopmentPlan(NDP).

Stimulatingeconomicgrowth,fosteringjobcreation.

Transformingtheagricultural

valuechain.Equitableaccesstolandforeconomicdevelopmentand/oragrariantransformation

1.4 Tourist Arrivals• Over10 milliontouristarrivalswererecordedin2016

• Continuetodevelopandpromotetourismsothatitmaybenefitlocalcommunitiesthroughjobsandinfrastructuredevelopment.

1.5 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC)• SouthAfricatohostGEC.Date13and16March2017inJohannesburg.

• FirsttimehostedinAfrica• OpportunityforSouthAfricaandtherestofthecontinenttoshowcaseitsentrepreneurialcompetencytotheworld.

1.6 Competition Commission investigation into alleged Foreign Exchange Collusion• CompetitionTribunal Cabinetawaitstheconclusionoftheproceedings,includingitsfindingsanddecisionontheappropriate sanction

outcomeofthecompetitiontribunalproceedings.

1.7 National Water Month - March • Theme:“HumanRightsforWaterandSanitation”

• WorldWaterDayDate:22March2017

Opening:PresidentJacobZuma(UnitedNationsHighLevelPanelonWaterActionPlanmember)willopentheevent

Event:LaunchoftheWorldWaterDevelopmentReport2017onwastewaterandrelatedactivities.

Host:UnitedNationsEducationalScientificandCulturalOrganisation(UNESCO).

1.8 Drought• Progressmadeindistributinganimalfeedtosupportfarmersinthecountry’sdroughtaffectedareaswaswelcomed.

• R 198 million -Provincesmadeavailablethroughequitablefunding.• FundsfromPreventionandMitigationofDisasterRiskProgrammewereusedtodrillboreholesandconstructfirebreaks.

• WesternCape-Tofurthercurbexcessivewateruse,theDepartmentofWaterand

Sanitationhasinformedtheagriculturalsectorof10%additionalwaterrestrictions.Thewaterrestrictionswillremainuntilthedamsfillupto85%oftheircapacity.

1.9 Rains•Calloncommunitiestoremainvigilantofflashflooding-Governmentanditsagenciesareactivelymonitoringthesituationandarereadytoactwherenecessary.

1.10 National House of Traditional Leaders• 3March2017-PresidentJacobZumawilldeliverhisannualaddress

• Theofficialopeningofthehousewillalsocelebrate20yearssinceitwasconstituted

1.11 SADC Extraordinary SummitDate:18March2017Who?PresidentJacobZumawithaSouthAfricangovernmentdelegationWhere?KingdomofSwaziland.• SADC-primaryvehicleforSouthAfrica’sforeignpolicytoachieveregionaldevelopmentandintegrationwithinourregion.

• SouthAfricatohostnextSADCordinarysummitinAugust2017

1.12 Indonesia• OfficialStateVisittoIndonesiabyPresidentJacobZuma

Date:8March2017-• LeadershipsummitofIndianOceanRIMAssociation(IORA)

Date:6–7March2017Host:PresidentJokoWidodoofIndonesia

o Highlight:SouthAfricawillbehandedthechairshipofIORA.

Education R15 billion

to assist students

2.1 Draft Mine Water Management Policy gazette • Approvedforpubliccomment• ProvidesthebasisforholdingpartiespotentiallyliablefornegativeeffectsanddamagesofAcidMineDrainagerelatedpollutionand/oranyothernegativeimpactsthatcanberelatedtoit.

• Alsoproposesmechanismsthatmininghousesshouldexploretobettermanagetheirwater.

2.2 Progress report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Revitalisation of Distressed Mining Communities (Benchmarking study from Australian Mining Industry 24-28 August 2015).• Thestudycomparespolicyandlegislativeframeworksgoverningminingsectors.ComparedpracticesofminingcompaniesinAustralia,Chile,SouthAfricaandZambia.

Progress:Partnershipbetweengovernmentandminingindeliveringdecenthousesandlivingconditionsformineworkersandcommunitymembers.

Areviewofminingcompanies’infrastructureforinfrastructurepartnershippossibilities.

Developmentofminingtowns-spatialtransformationplansfinalisedfor5municipalities.

Emphasisonadvancementofagriculturesectorinminingcommunities.

Fasttrackingincreaseaccesstomedicalassessmentsforex-mineworkers,communitymembersandcurrentmineworkers.

• DepartmentofLabourandMineralResources-to

studydifferentAustraliancommutingmodelstocommuneSouthAfricansmigranthomemorefrequently.

• DepartmentofHealthtoworkcloselywithDepartmentofMineralResourcesandotherpartnersindealingwithoccupationaldiseases.

2.3 Evaluation on impact of the provision of state subsidised housing• ImprovementPlanapprovedbasedonfindingsandrecommendations.

• Over3millionhouseshavebeenprovidedthrough

governmenthousingprogramme.

2.8millionofthehousesaredeliveredthroughcapitalsubsidywhichconfersindividualownershipofafreestandinghousetoahouseholdearninglessthanR3500permonth.

2.4 Implementation Evaluation of Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme• ReportwasapprovedaswellasManagementResponseandImprovementfromDepartmentofBasicEducation.

• RetainmentoftheProgrammeestablishedin2007toincreasethesupplyofcompetentteachers

specialisinginpriorityareas.• EmpiricalevidenceindicatethedesignoftheProgrammeisrelevantintermsofpolitical,economicandsocialcontext.

2.5 Disability Index Framework.• DisabilityInequalityIndexisapprovedandGovernment-widedisaggregationofalldatasetsintermsofgender,disabilityandageissupported.

• It’sakeytoolfortrackinggapbetweenpersonswithdisabilitiesandpersonswithoutdisabilitiesandprovidesstrategichighlevelquickscanonmeasurementofinequalitygap.

2.6 Policy for Social Service Practitioners, 2016.• Approvedandtheoverarchingoutcomeisthedeliveryofresponsiveandqualitydevelopmentalsocialservicepractitioners.

2.7 The Directive on the Determination of other Categories of Designated Employees• Approvedandrequiresdesignatedemployeestodisclosetheirfinancialinterestswhichwillbeeffectivefrom1April2017.

2.8 South Africa’s Phase 3 written follow-up Country Report regarding implementation of OECD Convention on Combating Bribery and Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (Anti-Bribery Convention) was approved.• ThereportoutlineseffortsofGovernmenttodetect,

investigateandprosecuteforeignbriberycases.

2.9 Business Case to reposition the Department of Home Affairs• Approvedforthedepartmenttobepositionedwithsecuritysystemofthestatesothatitcontributestonationalsecurityandisabletoprotectitspeople,systemsanddata.

2.10 National Crime Statistics Report for the trimester of 2016/2017.• ApprovedtobereleasedbySAPS

• Thequarterlyreleaseenablegovernmenttomonitorkeytargets,particularreductionofreportedseriouscrimes.

2.11 Amnesty in terms of Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000)• MinisterofPolice’sintentiontodeclareamnestyforaperiodofsixmonthsfrom1Aprilto30September2017.

• Theamnestywillreducethecirculationofillegalpossessedfirearmswhichwillresultinareductionofcontactcrimes.

• Theamnestywillfocuses

onholdingoffirearmsorammunitioninSouthAfrica:

(i)Personsinpossessionsofillegalfirearmorammunitionincirculation,includingthoseinvolvedinoneormorecriminalactivities.

(ii)Personswhoinheritedfirearmsorammunition

andfailedtocomplywithprovisionoffirearmscontrolact.

2.12 National Anti-gangsterism Strategy

• Approvedtoaddressgangsterisminallitsmanifestationsbyofallgovernmentapproach.

• ThisalignedplanensuresthatpeoplelivinginSouthAfricafeelsafeathome,Schoolsandwork,andenjoycommunitylifefreeoffear.

2.13 South Africa’s 3rd cycle Universal Periodic Review Country Report

• ReportwasapprovedtobepresentedforreviewbyUniversalPeriodicReviewGroupatUnitedNations(UN)HumanRightsCouncilinMay2017.

• Thereportsreflectson:ProgressmadebySouthAfricainrealisingthehumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomcontainedintheconstitution.

2.14 1st Quadrennial Country Report on the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions:

• Approvedassubmitted.• Successindicatorsaretheadoptionoffourcomplimentarystrategies:

(i)MzansiGoldenEconomyStrategy

(ii)SocialCohesionStrategy(iii)NationalDevelopmentPlanandtheNewGrowthPathStrategy

(iv)fullyestablishedDepartmentofArtsandCultureagencieswithBoards.

3. BILLS

3.1 National Public Health Institutes of South Africa Bill (NAPHISA)• NAPHISAwasapprovedfortablinginParliament.

• NAPHISAaimstoprovideintegratedandcoordinateddiseasesandinjurysurveillance,research,monitoringandevaluationofservicesandinterventiondirectedtowardsthemajorpublichealthproblems.

3.2 National Health Laboratory Service Amendment Bill (NHLSA)• NHLSAwasapprovedandtobetabledinparliamentanditamendsNationalHealthLaboratoryServiceAct,2000(ActNo37of2000)

• Theamendmentsseektoimprove

o governance,o accountabilityando financialsustainabilityofNationalHealthLaboratoryServices.

3.3 Older Persons Amendment Bill, 2016• Tobepublishedforpubliccomments.

• AmendsOlderPerson’sAct13of2006.

• Theamendmentsmakespecificreferencetoprotectionandcompliancemeasureswhichwillcontributeinprovideasafeandprotectiveenvironmentforolderpersons.

• Thiswillensurethatolder

personshaveaccesstoqualityservicessuchassocial,health,communitybased,andresidentialcare.

3.4 Fund Raising Amendments Bill , 2016

• Publicationwasapprovedforpubliccomments.

• AmendstheFundRaisingAct,1978

• TheBillstreamlinesresponsestodisastersandallowsforthedeploymentofriskmitigationanddevelopmentalstrategiesthroughconsolidatedofexistingfundsincludingtheirrespectiveassetsandliabilitiesintooneNationalSocialDevelopmentandReliefFund.

3.5 National Environment Management Laws Amendment Bill, 2016• SubmissiontoParliamentwasapproved.

• AmendstheNationalEnvironmentalAct,1998(ActNo.107of1998)andanumberofSpecificEnvironmentalManagementActs.

• Thiswillstrengthentheintegratedenvironmentmanagement,oneenvironmentalmanagementsystem,complianceandenforcementmeasures,biodiversityandconservation,airqualitymanagement,wastemanagementandintegratedcoastalmanagement.

3.6 Draft Regulation of Agricultural Land Holdings Bill, 2017• Approvedforpubliccomment.

• Thebillwillimprovethestateabilitytomonitorandevaluateitscompliancewiththeconstitutionaldirectivetoensurelandtenureandrelatedreformswiththeintentoftakingmeasurestoredressresultsofpastracialdiscrimination.

3.7 Property Practitioners Bill, 2016• Approvedforpubliccomment.

• ThebillrepealsthecurrentEstateAgencyAffairsAct,1976(ActNo.112of1976)

• Itaddressestheneedtoenhancecomplianceandenforcement,aswellastoensuretransformationinthesectorandtoregulatetheconductandbehaviourofpropertypractitioners.

3.8 Home Loan and Mortgage Disclosure Amendment Bill, 2016• Approvedforpubliccomment.

• AmendstheHomeLoanandMortgage

DisclosureAct,2000(ActNo.63of2000).

• TheBillamendstheHomeLoanandMortgageDisclosureAct,2000(ActNo.632000)

• ItaddresseshumansettlementschallengesidentifiedinNationalDevelopmentPlan.

3.9 Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill, 2016• Approvedforpubliccomment• AmendstheTraditionalLeadershipandGovernanceFrameworkAct,2003(ActNo.41of2003).

• Theaimistoensureproperreconstitutionoftribalauthoritiesastraditionalcouncils;establishmentofkingshipandqueenshipcouncils;anddisestablishmentofcommunityauthorities.

3.10 International Arbitration Bill• Approvedtobeintroducedin

Parliament.• Thebillaimto

improveaccesstojusticeservicesandtoensuretherealisationofNational

DevelopmentPlantargetofexpandingtradeandinvestmentandpositioningSouthAfricaintheworld.

Image: http://www.youthvillage.co.za

1.1 2017 National Budget• Thebudget-centralroleintransformationbypromotingredistributionanddirectingscarceresourcestowards

catalyticinvestmentsinhumanandphysicalcapital

• Growthwithouttransformationwouldonlyreinforcetheinequitablepatternsfromthepast.

• Centraltospendingprogrammesincludesredistributioninsupportof:

Education,

Healthservices

Municipalfunctionsinruralareas

• Procurementreformscontinuetoimprove:

Effectivenessofpublicspending

Openingopportunitiesforsmallbusinessparticipation.

CALL TO ALL:

Conserve water to ensure

sustainability of future

supply.’

2.8 million

houses are delivered through capital

subsidy

Draft Regulation of Agricultural Land Holdings

Bill, 2017

4. ISSUES IN THE ENVIRONMENT

4.1 Tensions between South Africans and Foreign Nationals• CabinetjoinsPresidentJacobZuma’scallforrestraintamidtensionsbetweensomeSouthAfricansandforeignnationals.

• ViolencewhichaccompaniedrecentcommunityprotestsinTshwaneisunacceptableandhasnoplaceinourdemocracy

4.2 Concerns of contracted coal transporters • Governmentisopentoconstructiveengagementwiththelegitimateleadersofthecoaltruckingindustrytoaddressissues.

• Governmentmustactresponsiblyinitsenergyplanningtoensuresustainableandaffordableenergysupply.

• 2016IntegratedResourcePlan-SouthAfricawillcontinuetodeploycoal

electricityintheenergymix

4.3 International Criminal Court (ICC)• NorthernGautengHighCourtonSouthAfrica’sdecisiontowithdrawfromICCisnoted.

• Parliamentisconsideringanappropriatecourseofaction.

• Cabinetabidesbytherulingandhasestablishedatechnicaltaskteamtodevelopacomplianceroadmap.

4.4 5th Armed Forces Day Celebrations• Commander-in-ChiefoftheSouthAfricanNationalDefenceForcePresidentJacobZumaofficiatedatthe5thArmedForcesDaycelebrations

• 100yearscommemorationofthesinkingoftheSSMendi

o SouthAfricanNativeLabourCorpswholostlivesduringworstevermaritimeaccident

inmilitaryhistoryofSouthAfricaarerememberedandhonoured.

4.5 Fall Army Worm• DepartmentofAgriculture,ForestryandFisheriescontinuedtoassessspreadanddamage,aswellasawarenessactiontoprovidefarmerswithaccuratetechnicalinformationandcontrolandcontroloptionsaswellastoensurethe

responsibleemergencyregistrationofagriculturalchemicals.

• TheDepartmentinitiatedapestactiongroup,whichmeetsregularlytoevaluateprogressandtheresults.

4.6 Trains Collision• CommuterswhowereinjuredwhentwotrainscollidedatRosslyntrainstationnorthofPretoriaarewishedaspeedyrecovery.Gratitudeconveyedtoemergencyservicesfortheirquickresponseinassistingtheinjured.

Concerns of contracted coal transporters

5. CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHYCabinetconveyscondolencestothefamilyandfriendsof:

5.1 Judge Essa Moosa,retiredjudgeofWesternCapeHighCourtin

2011andfoundingmemberofNationalAssociationofDemocratic

Lawyers.

5.2 Thethree South African Navy members and 3 construction

workers from the Department of Public Works-whodiedwhile

workinginasewerpitatNavalBaseinDurban.

5.3 The7peoplewhodiedinMulti-vehicleaccidenton

R34betweenVryheidandDundee.

5.4 Mirriam Tladi -SouthAfrica’smotherofliterature

andfirstwomannovelist.MmeTladiwasawarded

theorderofIkhamanga.

5.5 Thosewholostlovedonesduringthefloodingin

Kanana, North West.

5.6 Thecountry’sthoughtsandprayersarewiththefamilyofyoung

Richard Thole whoallegedlyfelldownanabandonedmineshaftin

BoksburgonSaturday.

5.7 Collen Monde Mkunqwana,latestruggleveteran,formerRobben

IslandprisoneranddescendentofMakhandaNxele,awarriorwho

ledtheattackagainsttheBritishinGrahamstown,-PresidentJacob

Zumadeclaredaspecialprovincialofficialfuneral

6. CONGRATULATIONS6.1 Airports Company South Africa-rankedwithintop10companieswhichmanage

mostpunctualairportsintheworld.

6.2 OR Tambo International Airportachieved8thplaceinlargeairportcategory,

CapeTownInternationalAirportranked6thinthemediumairportcategoryandKing

ShakaInternationalAirportranked10thinsmallcategory.

6.3 Ambassador Xavier Carrim-onhisassumptionofofficeasChairoftheGeneral

CounciloftheWorldTradeOrganisationon28February2017.

6.4 Mamelodi Sundowns wontheConfederationofAfrica(CAF)SuperCup.