THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY

PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOINT SITTING OF PARLIAMENT

_______

The Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the

National Council of Provinces took the Chair. The Speaker

requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or

meditation.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Speaker ...

The SPEAKER: Yes, hon member?

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Speaker, I rise on Rule

14(s) to draw your attention to the fact that the cellphone

signal in the House has been jammed. A device has been installed

in the National Assembly. I would submit to you, Madam Speaker,

that this is in direct violation of section 59(1)(b) of the

Constitution. [Applause.]

Madam Speaker, it is also in violation of section 16(1)(b) of

the Constitution and the Bill of Rights – the freedom to receive

or impart information or ideas.

Madam Speaker, the DA would like to request you to instruct

whoever is responsible for this – because it was never discussed

in the Chief Whips Forum at any time – to please turn the device

off, and allow us to impart our ideas and our viewpoints as the

Constitution – which was hard fought for – provides for. I

request your ruling. [Interjections.] [Applause.]

The SPEAKER: We will make sure that the Secretary to Parliament

follows up on that issue. [Interjections.]

Dr C P MULDER: Hon Speaker ...

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Hon Speaker ...

The SPEAKER: Hon Maimani?

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We want

South Africans to hear ideas. We want them to hear the state of

the nation address. We simply cannot proceed unless that jamming

device is disconnected. If you rule that we must proceed with

that jamming device on, we will challenge that ruling in

Parliament and, if needs be, we will take this Parliament to

court, because that is unacceptable. [Applause.]

The SPEAKER: Hon Maimani, as I said, we will have the Secretary

to Parliament look into that matter ... [Interjections.] He will

look into the matter. [Interjections.]

Dr C P MULDER: Hon Speaker ...

The SPEAKER: Hon Mulder?

Dr C P MULDER: Hon Speaker, it is a pity that we have to start

the proceeding in this way. I would like to refer you to Rule

14(1) of the Joint Rules of Parliament. This is a Joint Sitting

of Parliament and should be open to the public. In terms of Rule

14(1) of the Joint Rules of Parliament, “Joint Sittings are open

to the public, including the media.” The media cannot do its

work as long as the signal to do what they need to do, is

blocked.

This has not happened in 20 years at Parliament. We were

informed by some senior members of the ruling party that they

are not aware of this, that the officials of Parliament are not

aware of this. I am under the impression that maybe the

executive may have something to do with this. This is the

highest legislative body in this country. In terms of the

Constitution, we cannot proceed unless we are an open society in

terms of a media plan. [Applause.]

The SPEAKER: Hon Mulder, we have said that we are instructing

the Secretary to look into the matter ...

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: Hon Speaker ...

The SPEAKER: Hon Shivambu, while I am on the floor, can you

please take your seat?

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: Are you going to note me, though?

The SPEAKER: Please take your seat.

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: Please do not be intimidating. We finished

that.

The SPEAKER: Hon Shivambu ...

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: We want to give a concrete proposal in terms of

how to proceed.

The SPEAKER: Hon Shivambu, I am talking. While I am talking, you

take your seat.

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: Please note me after that. [Interjections.] Hon

Speaker, noting that you are not talking now, may I please talk

and propose that you adjourn the House until we have dealt with

this situation? [Applause.] Then we can come back and continue

under tolerable conditions, not under the current conditions.

I have made a proposal, Speaker and Chair of the NCOP.

[Interjections.]

Hon MEMBERS: Bring back the signal! Bring back the signal!

The SPEAKER: Hon members, we are just waiting for the Secretary

to return and give us a response. [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, we have been waiting for the Head of

State for a very long time - for over an hour. There seems to be

a problem with the water service. I am terribly thirsty and I

think a lot of people are. Can we get the water service up and

running?

And we are waiting for the signal. We don’t have water. There is

a service delivery crisis here in Parliament! [Interjections.]

Mr K B MANAMELA: Hon Speaker, I have just received a tweet ...

[Inaudible.] ... saying that the problem is not the network; the

problem is the airtime.

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Speaker, can I request that

we ... [Inaudible.]

Can I ask that the mic please be working... [Inaudible.] ... it

is not.

Madam Speaker, can I request that we also look at the SABC feed.

This is a matter that ensures that South Africans can get this

information. Can I ask that the SABC ... in fact, all news

networks - it’s about freedom of speech - can I ask that we look

into that as well? I would appreciate that. Thank you very much.

The SPEAKER: Hon members, I am happy to report that according to

the Secretary’s report, the issue of the scrambling has been

unscrambled. [Applause.] Secondly, the water is coming.

[Interjections.]

Dr C P MULDER: Hon Speaker ...

The SPEAKER: Yes, hon Mulder.

Dr C P MULDER: Hon Speaker, I take note of the report on behalf

of the Secretary, but this is a very serious matter and I want

you to enquire after this meeting from the Secretary as to who

was responsible for this breach of the democracy of this

country. [Applause.]

The SPEAKER: The Secretary will indeed look into it further. Hon

members, the President has called this Joint Sitting of the

National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in terms

of section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution of the Republic of South

Africa, read with Joint Rule 7(1)(a) in order to deliver his

state of the nation address to Parliament. I now call on the hon

President to address the Joint Sitting. [Applause.]

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: [Inaudible.]

The SPEAKER: Hon President, we would like to apologise to you.

We are experiencing some glitches due to the withdrawal of

labour by some members of Nehawu, but we are taking the mic from

upstairs where it is normally operated.

IsiZulu: 19:19:25

UMONGAMELI WASENINGIZIMU AFRIKA: Nansi iyasebenza manje Sihlalo.

[Ihlombe.]

English:

Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the National

Council of Provinces, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly

and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Deputy President Cyril

Ramaphosa, former President Thabo Mbeki, former President F W de

Klerk, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and all esteemed members of

the judiciary, the Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament,

His Excellency Mr Roger Nkondo Dang, the Speaker of the National

Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chairperson of

the Southern African Development Community’s Parliamentary

Forum, the hon Anne Makinda, Ministers and Deputy Ministers,

premiers and Speakers of provincial legislatures, Chairperson of

SA Local Government Association, the heads of Chapter 9

institutions, Chairperson of the National House of Traditional

Leaders, the former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Frene

Ginwala, Their Majesties Kgosi Keru Molotlegi, King Toni Peter

Mphephu Ramabulana, Kumkani Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu, invited

guests, members of the diplomatic corps, hon members, fellow

South Africans, good evening, sanibonani, molweni, riperile,

dumelang, lotshani, goeie naand, ndi madekwana, !gai//goes.

[Applause.] It is not Chinese; it is a South African language.

[Laughter.]

Madam Speaker and Madam Chairperson of the NCOP, I would like to

thank the presiding officers for the opportunity to address the

nation this evening. The year 2015 marks 60 years of a historic

moment in our history when South Africans from all walks of life

adopted the Freedom Charter in 1955 in Kliptown, Soweto.

[Interjections.]

Mr G A GARDEE: Madam Speaker ...

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: They declared amongst others,

that South Africa ... [Interjections.] ... belongs to all who

live in it black and white and that no government can just claim

authority unless it is based on the will of the people.

[Interjections.]

Mr G A GARDEE: Madam Speaker, I rise in terms of Rule 14(c).

The SPEAKER: Hon President, hon President, I am sorry to

interrupt your speech; if the President would not mind just

taking a seat so we can listen to this member’s point of order.

Mr G A GARDEE: Thank you, Madam Speaker, I rise in terms of Rule

14(c) of the Joint Rules of Parliament 6th edition, the

Parliament of the Republic of South Africa on a question of

privilege. May I proceed?

Hon MEMBERS: Yes.

Mr G A GARDEE: May we ask the President as to when he is going

pay back the money in terms of what the Public Protector has

said? That is the question of privilege we would like to ask,

and accordingly, since he has not been answering questions, we

hope that today he shall answer that question. I thank you.

The SPEAKER: I would like to remind you, hon member, that a

point of order must relate to a point of procedure concerning

the current proceedings. As you know, today’s sitting is

convened for a specific purpose; that purpose is for the

President to deliver his annual address to Parliament. Members

will have an opportunity to debate and respond to the address by

the President at the sittings scheduled for next week, including

raising any related matters. So, this is not a question session.

The hon President may resume.

Mr G A GARDEE: Madam Speaker, I rose on a question of privilege,

not a point of order. So, you have addressed the issue of a

point of order, Madam Speaker. But on the issue of the question

of privilege, can that question be answered or can we be told

that it is in the speech; is he still going to tell us when the

money is going to be paid? Is it going to be paid by EFT, cash

or eWallet? Thank you.

The SPEAKER: Hon members should be aware that each House has a

procedure for asking questions to the executive. This Joint

Sitting cannot be turned into a question session. The President

will be answering questions in the National Assembly on 11

March, as we have all been informed; and in the National Council

of Provinces, questions to the President are provisionally

scheduled for 18 March. Before then, members can always ask

questions for written reply. That opportunity is available to

members on a weekly basis; members should use those platforms

for questions. This is in addition to the interaction that will

happen next week during the President’s address. It is important

that this sitting focuses on the business of the day, and that

is for the President to deliver the state of the nation address.

Mr N S MATIASE: Madam Speaker, I rise on Rule 14(c) and (l) on

the Rules of the Joint Sitting of Parliament on points of order.

We are of the view that the question deserves an adequate

response, and we call upon this House to apply its collective

memory to recall that the President has evaded coming and

answering questions, not once, not twice, but on more than three

occasions. We are entitled to get answers to questions put

before the President, and we insist that these questions, as we

raise them, should be answered today.

The SPEAKER: Hon members, I am being patient with you by

actually listening to your points in spite of the fact that I

have explained that this is not the occasion for questions or

points whether of order or of privilege, this is a specifically

called sitting for the President to deliver his state of the

nation address. I again insist and appeal to members to allow

this House to proceed with the business of the day.

Dr Y C VAWDA: Hon Speaker, I am rising in terms of Rule 14(c) of

the Joint Rules of Parliament on a question of privilege. Hon

Speaker, it is the privilege of this House and the privilege of

the nation at large to be provided with adequate answers on the

issues that have been raised previously. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: Hon members, if you insist on this approach and you

keep raising questions even after I have explained to you, not

once, that this Joint sitting is not meant for any of the issues

you are raising, as I said, not a point of order, or a point of

privilege nor questions are the business of this particular

sitting. This is a special sitting asked for by the President

for him to deliver the state of the nation address, and the

people of South Africa are waiting to hear what he has to say.

This House has to proceed with the business of the state of the

nation address being delivered today without hindrance by any of

the kind of conduct that is being displayed in this House today.

[Applause.]

Mr J S MALEMA: Hon Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Hon Malema, I don’t think you are going to raise

anything that has not been covered by what I have said.

Mr J S MALEMA: You are making a mistake because you are reading

my mind. [Laughter.] Allow me to speak.

The SPEAKER: Hon Malema. Hon Malema.

Mr J S MALEMA: Please Speaker, can I speak?

The SPEAKER: Hon Malema. On what, hon ...?

Mr J S MALEMA: On the same point that the members are raising.

[Interjections.] You are not doing me any favours and none of

these people who are howling are doing me any favours; it is

within my right to speak as a member of this House, and remind

you that it is incorrect of you to want to suggest that when the

President speaks, you suspend the Rules. The Rules are not

suspended and the Rules must apply even when the President

speaks, and you have not answered Dr Vawda’s question. Stop

treating as a group; treat them as individual members of this

House and respond to them as such. The individual member who

spoke, you explained, he sat down; the other one spoke, you

explained and he sat down; when Vawda’s turn came, you said that

you have responded, and you insisted, even though he was

speaking for the first time. Stop treating people as a group, we

are speaking here as individual members. We want the President

to answer a simple question: When is he paying the money as

directed by the Public Protector? That is all we are asking.

The SPEAKER: Hon Malema, you are not raising anything new; and

what you are saying is still the same thing I have responded to

and explained, and I have patiently been asking you hon members

to allow this House to proceed with the business of the day, and

the business of the day is that the President will deliver the

state of the nation address. I am not allowing any other member

to raise any other point of order. [Interjections.] I am not

allowing you hon members because I have explained to you that

you are actually abusing ...

Mr J S MALEMA: Which Rule are you using, my hon Speaker? Which

Rule are you using to deny members to raise a point of order?

They are protected by the Rules. You cannot be emotional about

it. Point us to the Rule which gives you the power to deny us

points of order.

The SPEAKER: Hon Julius Malema, I now have to ask that you leave

the Chamber. [Applause.] I now ask, hon Malema, you leave the

Chamber because it’s clear that you are not prepared to co-

operate with us.

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: Hon Speaker, can you please assist us in terms

of the Rules of the Joint Sitting ... what Rule are you applying

to ...?

The SPEAKER: Hon Shivambu, I now have to ask you also to leave

the Chamber. [Interjections.] [Applause.]

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: I am still asking a question!

The SPEAKER: Hon Shivambu, I have now ... [Interjections.]

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: What Rule are you applying ... [Interjections]

The SPEAKER: ... to ask you also to leave the Chamber!

[Interjections.]

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: Oh! I am still asking a question.

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Order! On a point of order! [Interjections.]

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: I am still asking a question. [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Hon members! Hon members of the EFF ...

[Interjections.]

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: How do I leave before I get an answer?

The SPEAKER: ... I have ruled on the matter and I am now asking

you to leave the Chamber. [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, hon Speaker!

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: But I am asking a question! [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, hon Speaker! On a point of

order! On a point of order! [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: You have come here to disrupt. [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, I am asking you to recognise me in

terms of a point of order.

The SPEAKER: You told the country that you will disrupt.

[Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: No, we never said that. [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Now we have listened ...

Mr M Q NDLOZI: We never said that! We said we are coming here to

behave within the Rules and to ask questions. [Interjections.]

Mr J S MALEMA: Allow us to raise questions.

The SPEAKER: Hon Malema! [Interjections.]

Mr J S MALEMA: We are not disrupting. Allow us to raise

questions. [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: We are not disrupting! [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Hon Malema, leave the Chamber!

Mr J S MALEMA: I am not going to leave, hon Speaker!

[Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, I am rising on a point of order!

The SPEAKER: If you do not leave the Chamber ...

[Interjections.]

Mr J S MALEMA: I am not working for you, Speaker!

[Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: ... I have to ask ... [Interjections.]

Mr J S MALEMA: Hon Speaker, I am not here on your invitation. I

was elected to be here. [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: ... that you are assisted to leave the Chamber!

[Interjections.]

Mr J S MALEMA: Never, I am not going to leave! I was elected to

be here. [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: You will leave the Chamber because the Chamber is

for the business of today.

Mr J S MALEMA: Exactly, we are doing the business of today.

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker!

The SPEAKER: I will now ask the Serjeant-at-arms to assist hon

Malema to leave the Chamber! [Applause.] [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker!

Ms H O MAXON: Hon Speaker!

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker!

Ms H O MAXON: Hon Speaker!

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker!

Ms N R MASHABELA: Hon Speaker!

Ms H O MAXON: Hon Speaker!

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker!

Ms N R MASHABELA: Hon Speaker!

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker!

Ms N R MASHABELA: Hon Speaker, we don’t care ... [Inaudible.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker! I am rising on a

point of order!

Ms H O MAXON: Hon Speaker!

The SPEAKER: I now ask that the Serjeant-at-arms, the Usher of

the Black Rod ... [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker!

The SPEAKER: ... the Parliamentary Protection Services ...

[Interjections.]

Ms H O MAXON: Hon Speaker!

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Speaker! On a point of

order, Speaker! My name is hon Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, I am rising on

a point of order! I am a member in good standing of this

honourable Joint Sitting; I am rising on a point of order,

please recognise me. Chairperson of the session, Madam Speaker,

can we be recognised?

The SPEAKER: Hon Ndlozi ...

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Can I ask you, hon Speaker, to recognise me?

The SPEAKER: Hon Ndlozi, you must also leave the Chamber!

[Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Why, hon Speaker?

Ms N R MASHABELA: Hon Speaker!

Ms H O MAXON: Madam Speaker! [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Hon Maxon, you will leave the Chamber!

[Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, you are illegally excommunicating

us. [Interjections.]

IsiZulu:

Nkz M S KHAWULA: Ngeke kwenzeke lokho!

English:

Ms H O MAXON: Hon Speaker! [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, you are not a bishop! You are a

Speaker! [Interjections.]

Ms N R MASHABELA: Hon Speaker! Hon Speaker!

IsiZulu:

Nkz M S KHAWULA: Singabaphi thina?

English:

Ms N R MASHABELA: Hon Speaker!

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, you are not a bishop! I am appealing

to your conscience!

The SPEAKER: I have asked that you be assisted to leave the

Chamber! [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: I am appealing to your conscience, hon Speaker,

please recognise us. [Interjections.]

Ms N R MASHABELA: Hon Speaker, I am rising in terms of Rule

14(l) which states that at a Joint Sitting a member may only

speak from a podium to raise a point of order ...

[Interjections.]

IsiZulu:

ILUNGA ELIHLONIPHEKILE: Sizolala la!

English:

Ms N R MASHABELA: ... or a question of privilege ...

[Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Hon members, you are not going block the state of

the nation address. [Interjections.]

Ms N R MASHABELA: ... all Members of Parliament are allowed to

raise a point of order or a ... [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: I am asking the Parliamentary Protection Officers

to please come in ...

Ms H O MAXON: Hon Speaker, we want to speak, please allow us. We

are Members of this Parliament!

The SPEAKER: ... and take out the hon members. [Interjections.]

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, we are appealing to your conscience.

IsiZulu:

Nkz M S KHAWULA: Yebo, akezwa!

English:

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hopefully you still have a revolutionary

conscience! [Interjections.]

[Parliamentary Protection Officers coming into the Chamber].

IsiZulu:

Nkz M S KHAWULA: Wozani! He! He! he! [Applause.]

English:

The SPEAKER: I also order the security officers to, please,

assist!

Ms H O MAXON: But hon Speaker, we want to speak!

Xitsonga:

MUCHAVISEKI XIRHO: Manana Xipikara, ndzi kombela ku pfuna. Ndzi

kombela mi ndzi langutisa leswaku ndzi ta pfunanyana swin’wana.

Manana Xipikira, ndzi kombela leswaku mi ndzi langutisa haleno

leswaku ndzi ta kota ku pfuna swin’wana.

IsiZulu:

Nkz M S KHAWULA: Ujabulela ukuthi umuntu omnyama ashaye futhi

aqindezele omunye umuntu omnyama!

Xitsonga:

MUCHAVISEKI XIRHO: Manana Xipikira, ndzi kombela ku vulavula

leswaku ndzi ta pfuna swin’wana.

English:

An Hon MEMBER: Speaker, may I talk?

Ms H O MAXON: Hon Speaker!

An Hon MEMBER: Speaker, I am a member of this House.

IsiZulu:

ILUNGA ELIHLONIPHEKILE: Sizolala la thina! Sizolala la!

Xitsonga:

MUCHAVISEKI XIRHO: Ndzi kombela ku vulavula leswaku ndzi ta

pfuna swin’wana.

English:

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Will all the hon members who

are standing take their seats!

Xitsonga:

MUCHAVISEKI XIRHO: Ndzi kombela ku vulavula leswaku ndzi ta

pfuna swin’wana.

English:

The SPEAKER: The security forces must come in, in terms of the

Powers and Privileges Act. [Interjections.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Members of the NCOP, take your

seats. [Interjections.] Members of the NCOP, hon Dlamini, hon

Dlamini, take your seat! [Interjections.] [Applause.]

IsiZulu:

ILUNGU ELIHLONIPHEKILE: Sebephumile.

English:

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: No! No! Hon members!

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Hon Speaker!

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Will the members please take

their seats? Hon Maimane, what point of order are you rising on?

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Chairperson, I am rising on

Rule 14(k) which states that in the event of a grave disorder of

a sitting ... I want to understand whether the members who were

sent in here to remove the members of the EFF were members of

the SA Police Service; and if that is the case, may I request

that in fact this ... We simply cannot allow for police to be

allowed to enter this Chamber. It is a grave constitutional

violation. We want to be here to get the state of the nation

address, but we cannot violate this Constitution of the people

of this country by allowing the police in this Chamber. We can’t

accept that. I would like clarity on that, Madam Chair.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Maimane, we have heard your

point of privilege raised under Joint Rules 14. We have indeed

repeatedly called members during this Joint Sitting to heed the

call to take their seats and to withdraw. We sent in the Usher

of the Black Rod and the Serjeant-at-arms, but they were all

defied.

We then moved on in terms of the Powers, Privileges and

Immunities Act to call on the security services of Parliament to

come in. We are also empowered by the same Act to ensure that we

can escalate to ask for security, whichever security, to act in

support of public order policing, POP. I think, hon members, we

should allow this House to do its business.

I think that we have called for a Joint Sitting of Parliament -

it was not even convened by the Speaker and the Chairperson of

the NCOP. It is convened in terms of a request raised by the

President for a specific reason to come and give the nation,

ourselves and the international community the state of the

nation address. I think we should be allowed, hon members, to

proceed with the business of the day.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Speaker, Madam House

Chair.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: I am the Chairperson of the NCOP

and not the House Chair.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam, I apologise for the

disrespect, Chairperson of the NCOP. May I address you Madam?

Thank you very much for the opportunity. Madam Chairperson, the

Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act indeed confers powers to

you in that regard, but no Act passed by Parliament can

supersede the Constitution. I would like to refer you, if I may,

to section 199(7) of the Constitution and I would like to read

from it, Madam Chair:

Neither the security services, nor any of their members,

may, in the performance of their functions –

(a) prejudice a political party interest that is

legitimate in terms of the Constitution; or

(b) further, in a partisan manner, any interest of a

political party.

Madam Chairperson, hon Maimane asked a question. He wanted to

establish from you which of those were SAPS members. What

concerns me more, Madam Chairperson, with due respect, is that

there were members with firearms who entered the sacrosanct

Chamber of Parliament while it was in session. Now I submit to

you, Madam Chairperson, that this is not a state of affairs. We

don’t meet bad behaviour with bad behaviour. Now, I submit to

you that the section that you have invoked is unconstitutional

and incorrect. I would ask you to make a ruling on it.

The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Chairperson, as the

Speaker indicated at the beginning of this sitting, this sitting

is called by the President in terms of the Constitution. The

disruption we saw was a direct violation of the Constitution.

[Applause.] We should not, therefore, be selective as to when

it’s constitutional and when it’s not.

The disruption of the President delivering the state of the

nation address in a sitting called in terms of the Constitution

is in itself a violation. It’s a violation of the Rules with

respect to Joint Sittings of the House as called by the

President in terms of the Constitution. I thought you knew the

Rules very well. I suggest you read Rule 7 of the Joint Rules.

Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]

Prince M G BUTHELEZI: Madam Chairperson of the NCOP, I think

what we have seen today is disgusting. I think our country is

really being torn to pieces and I think that the struggle for

liberation didn’t take place for people to play the fool like

this with our country. [Applause.] I think that what is

happening is not really what the majority of the people in this

House want to see in this House. [Applause.] If there is any

opportunity, if the Constitution allows us to vote, why can’t we

put this matter to the vote? We can’t have a few people

indulging in these theatrics, tearing our country apart and

using all kinds of poppycock, what I regard as utter nonsense.

[Applause.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon members, it is understandable

that we will react to what we have just witnessed. It is also

understandable that with any incident like the one we’ve just

witnessed happens we will react. It is something that the Rules

of Parliament never anticipated would happen. It is something

which the voters of South Africa did not anticipate. Therefore,

let us agree that such incidents will not be allowed to happen

again in our Parliament. Let us then take lessons from what has

happened today. Use the structures of Parliament. If it means

that the concerns raised by the members here are taken back to

Rules, let us use that route. But we are appealing to you to

allow us to continue with the business of today. [Applause.] Hon

Maimane, we want to continue with the business of today.

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: I really would like us to

continue, hon Chairperson. I want us ... [Interjections.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Maimane, we want to continue.

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: I want clarity on whether those

were the police or not. [Interjections.] I want clarity on that.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Maimane, use the structures

that you know are available to you and let this House proceed

with its business.

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: In that instance, Madam

Chairperson, if you can’t confirm to me if it’s the police or

not, what you are saying to me is that in future you’ll use the

defence force to escalate. May I ask that our party be left

outside of the state of the nation address, if I could request

that? [Interjections.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Maimane, the presiding officers

will not permit you to leave. If you want to leave, let it be

the decision that you take as a party so that tomorrow you do

not say that these two presiding officers told you to leave the

Chamber. [Applause.] We did not tell you to leave this Chamber.

If you want to take that decision, take it on your own.

[Interjections.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Steenhuisen, are you rising on

a different point?

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: It’s on 14(s), Chairperson of

the National Council of Provinces. We are drawing your attention

to a point of privilege. It is not parliamentary convention for

members of the SA Police Service to come onto the floor of this

... [Interjections.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order, members!

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: The hon Leader of the

Opposition asked you a question and it needs a very simple

answer: whether it’s members of the SA Police Service or members

of the parliamentary security. It is an important question,

because the parliamentary security services report to the two of

you and not to the executive. The SAPS reports to the Executive.

Therefore, it’s a matter of the separation of powers and

privileges of this House. We really do want to proceed, but we

will require an answer from you whether those members who came

onto this floor with firearms were members of the SA Police

Service or the parliamentary protection services.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Steenhuisen, I cannot – hon

members, do you want me to respond to you or not? Hon members, I

take it that the people you are referring to as having come on

the floor of the House are the people who came in at the

instruction of the Speaker to escort outside the members who

were disrupting the House. Hon members will remember that we

sent the order to the Usher of the Black Rod and the Serjeant-

at-arms. We then asked the parliamentary protection services to

come and help. We then said that the security forces working

with the parliamentary protection services can come in.

[Interjections.] No, please, allow me to respond.

You are saying to us it isn’t conventional. Yes, it is not

conventional. It is also not conventional for this House, a

Joint Sitting, to be turned into a question session of the

National Assembly. [Applause.] It is not conventional. Yes, I

agree with you, hon Steenhuisen. Can we please proceed with the

business of the day? I have responded to you. There is no way I

could sit here and be able to make out who is police and who is

not. [Interjections.] [Applause.]

[The DA leaves the House.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order, members. Order! Thank you.

Order, members! Please close the door. Hon members, the Speaker

and I want to, first of all, tender our apologies to the

President. We apologise for what has happened in the House

today. We also want to apologise to you members, our guests in

the gallery, the country at large and everybody who has had to

witness what has happened in this House today. We hope, as I

said earlier, that out of bad lessons some education will come

and we will learn to do things the right way. We wish to proceed

with the business of today and therefore call on our President

to please take his place at the podium and to give us the state

of the nation address. [Applause.]

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Let me start at the point I was

interrupted. I was saying that the year 2015 marks 60 years of a

historic moment in our history, when South Africans from all

walks of life adopted the Freedom Charter in 1955, in Kliptown,

Soweto.

They declared, amongst other things, that South Africa belongs

to all who live in it, black and white, and that no government

can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of all

the people. [Applause.] That was a powerful, visionary and

reconciliatory statement which set the tone for the nonracial

democracy we have established.

This week we also mark 25 years since the release of President

Nelson Mandela from prison, and since the unbanning of the

liberation movements.

The release of Madiba marked a giant leap forward in the long

walk to freedom for the people of South Africa as a whole and

dealt a fatal blow to apartheid colonialism. We continue to be

inspired by Madiba and draw lessons from his legacy as we build

our country.

The year 2015 is the Year of the Freedom Charter and Unity in

Action to Advance Economic Freedom. It is the year of going the

extra mile in building an united, democratic, nonracial,

nonsexist and prosperous South Africa. It is also the year of

rededicating ourselves to eradicate racism and all related

intolerances in our country. It is also the year of investing

more in our future by educating our children and the youth about

the rich heritage of this country.

We are already inculcating a new national identity through

promoting national symbols such as the national flag, the

national anthem and the preamble of the Constitution in every

school. From this year, schools must also practise the African

Union anthem in preparation for the celebration of Africa Month

in May, as we implement the African Union decision in this

regard.

Hon members, distinguished guests, our youth is our future and

their success fills us with immense pride. I would like you to

join me in congratulating my special guest, our ace Olympic

swimmer, Chad le Clos. [Applause.] Chad received swimming’s

highest honour in December after, amongst many other outstanding

achievements, he was crowned the world’s best swimmer for 2014

by the International Swimming Federation. [Applause.]

I am also hosting three special girls from Moletsane High School

in Soweto. [Applause.] They are Ofentse Mahasha, Hlengiwe

Moletsane and Tiisetso Mashiloane. [Applause.] Ofentse and

Hlengiwe attended the last G20 summit in Australia and performed

exceptionally well, making us truly proud. [Applause.] I must

tell you that, during the tea I had with them yesterday, one of

them said that if one decides to do something, one must work had

and put one’s eyes on the goal. And she said that she wants to

become the President of South Africa. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

Allow me, Madam Speaker and Chairperson of the NCOP, to

congratulate in absentia, another star performer who has brought

glory to our country – Miss World, Ms Rolene Strauss.

[Applause.]

I would also like to introduce another special guest, the

country’s Sports Star of the Year and Banyana Banyana striker,

Miss Portia Modise. [Applause.] Congratulations, Portia.

Hon members, distinguished guests, I would like to thank all who

took the time to contribute to the 2015 state of the nation

address. In terms of the inputs, our people are concerned about,

amongst others, crime, roads, access to education, youth

internship schemes, water, electricity and support for small

businesses.

Contributions requiring feedback are being referred to

government departments for action. These contributions, as you

know, emerge because I asked the country to make suggestions

about what the President must say. These are the contributions

that came in response to that request.

Hon members and distinguished guests, we meet yet again during a

difficult economic climate. This week the IMF revised the GDP

growth forecasts for global economic growth in 2015 down to

3,5%. Our ambition of achieving a growth target of 5% by 2019 is

at risk because of the slow global growth as well as domestic

constraints in energy, skills, transport and logistics amongst

others. However, the situation is more promising on the jobs

front. Two days ago, Statistics SA released the employment

figures for the last quarter of 2014. The report shows that

there are now 15,3 million people who are employed in South

Africa. Jobs grew by 203 000.

Our investment in youth employment is also paying off. The

Employment Tax Incentive, which was introduced last year and

directed mainly at the youth, is progressing very well.

[Applause.] Two billion rand has been claimed to date by some

29 000 employers, who have claimed for at least 270 000 young

people.

I announced a target of 6 million work opportunities over five

years last year for the programme. Thus far we have created more

than 850 000 work opportunities. This means that we are poised

to meet the annual target of one million job opportunities.

[Applause.] In addition, our environmental programmes such as

Working on Waste, Working for Wetlands, Working for Water and

Working on Fire have created more than 30 000 work opportunities

and aim to create more than 60 000 during the next financial

year.

Our economy needs a major push forward. We would like to share

with you our nine-point plan to ignite growth and create jobs.

These are: Firstly, resolving the energy challenge; secondly,

revitalising agriculture and the agro-processing value chain;

thirdly, advancing beneficiation or adding value to our mineral

wealth; fourthly, more effective implementation of a higher

impact Industrial Policy Action Plan, Ipap; fifthly, encouraging

private sector investment; sixthly, moderating workplace

conflict; seventhly, unlocking the potential of small, medium

and micro enterprises, SMMEs, co-operatives, township and rural

enterprises; eighthly, state reform of boosting the role of

state-owned companies, ICT infrastructure or broadband roll-out,

water, sanitation and transport infrastructure; and ninthly,

Operation Phakisa, aimed at growing the ocean economy and other

sectors.

Compatriots, the country is currently experiencing serious

energy constraints which are an impediment to economic growth

and is a major inconvenience to everyone in the country.

Overcoming the challenge is uppermost in our programme. We are

doing everything we can to resolve the energy challenge.

IsiZulu:

Bakwethu, uhulumeni wenza konke okusemandleni akhe ukubhekana

nesimo sokuncipha kukagesi ezweni. Siyazi ukuthi lesi yisikhathi

esinzima, kodwa sizodlula, ngoba sinezindlela eziningi

zokusebenza nokubhekana nale nkinga.

English:

We have developed a plan which involves short-, medium- and

long-term responses. The short- and medium-term plan involves

improved maintenance of Eskom power stations, enhancing the

electricity generation capacity, and managing the electricity

demand. The long-term plan involves finalising our long-term

energy security master plan. As a priority we are going to

stabilise Eskom’s finances to enable the utility to manage the

current period. In this regard, government will honour its

commitment to give Eskom around R23 billion in the next fiscal

year. [Applause.] The war room established by Cabinet in

December is working diligently around the clock with Eskom to

stabilise the electricity supply system and contain the load

shedding. During this period, we have to work together to find

solutions. We urge all individuals, households, industries and

government departments to save electricity in order to reduce

the need for load shedding. The Department of Public Works has

been instructed to ensure that all government-owned buildings

are energy efficient. Given the high cost of diesel, Eskom has

been directed to switch from diesel to gas as a source of energy

for the utility’s generators. [Applause.] Households are also

being encouraged to switch from electricity to gas for cooking,

heating and other uses. The construction of the three new power

stations Kusile, Medupi and Ingula, will add 10 000 megawatts of

capacity to the national grid. The quest for alternative energy

sources is also ongoing. To date, government has procured 4 000

megawatts from independent power producers, using renewable

sources. The first three bid windows of the renewable energy

procurement process attracted more than R140 billion from

private investors. A total of 3 900 megawatts of renewable

energy has also been sourced, with 32 projects with a capacity

of just over 1 500 megawatts completed and connected to the

grid. Eskom itself has completed the construction of the Sere

Wind Farm, which is already delivering 100 megawatts to the grid

- well ahead of its intended launch in March this year. In

December, 2014 government also began procurement of 2 400

megawatts of new coal-fired power generation capacity from

independent power producers. The procurement process for 2 400

megawatts of new gas-fired generation will commence in the first

quarter of the new financial year. A total of 2 600 megawatts of

hydroelectric capacity will be sourced from the SADC region.

With regard to the long-term energy master plan, we will pursue

gas, petroleum, nuclear, hydropower and other sources as part of

the energy mix.

South Africa is surrounded by gas-rich countries, while we have

discovered shale gas deposits in our own Karoo region. The

Operation Phakisa Ocean Economy initiative, launched last year,

also promises to unveil more oil and gas resources, which will

be a game changer for our country and the region. Government is

also exploring the procurement of the 9 600 megawatts nuclear

build programme as approved in the Integrated Resource Plan 2010

to 2030. To date, government has signed intergovernmental

agreements and carried out vendor parade workshops in which five

countries came to present their proposals on nuclear energy.

These include the United States of America, South Korea, Russia,

France and China. All of these countries will be engaged in a

fair, transparent and competitive procurement process to select

a strategic partner or partners to undertake the nuclear build

programme. Our target is to connect the first unit to the grid

by 2023 - just in time for Eskom to retire part of its aging

power plants.

With regard to hydro power, the Grand Inga Hydroelectrical

Project partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo will

generate over 48 000 megawatts of clean hydroelectricity. South

Africa will have access to over 15 000 megawatts. For

sustainability, government will establish strategic partnerships

for skills development with the countries that will partner us

in the Energy Build Programme, while also generating skills

locally.

There are still 3,4 million households in the country without

electricity. In the state of the nation address of June 2014, I

announced that infrastructure support will be given to specific

municipalities in the country. Funding has been provided for

electrification to the following municipalities in the 2015-16

financial year: Amathole district Municipality, Umzinyathi

District Municipality, Alfred Nzo District Municipality,

Lukhanji Municipality and O R Tambo District Municipality.

Fellow South Africans, while tackling the energy challenges in

our country we also need to fight copper cable and metal theft.

[Applause.] Government will introduce tougher measures to deal

with this serious crime.

During this year, on the 60th anniversary of the Freedom

Charter, land has become one of the most critical factors in

achieving redress for the wrongs of the past. Last year, we

reopened the second window of opportunity for the lodgement of

land claims. More than 36 000 land claims have been lodged

nationally and the cut-off date is 2019. We are also exploring

the 50/50 policy framework, which proposes relative rights for

people who live and work on farms. [Applause.] Fifty farming

enterprises will be identified as pilot projects.

In terms of our new proposed laws, a ceiling of land ownership

will be set at a maximum of 12 000 hectares. [Applause.] Foreign

nationals will not be allowed to own land in South Africa ...

[Applause.] ... but will be eligible for long-term lease. In

this regard, the Regulation of Land Holdings Bill will be

submitted to Parliament this year. Through the Land Reform

Programme, more than 90 000 hectares of land have been allocated

to smallholder farmers, farm dwellers and labour tenants.

The process of establishing the office of the Valuer-General is

under way, which is established in terms of the Property

Valuation Act. Once implemented, the law will stop the reliance

on the willing-buyer, willing-seller method in respect of land

acquisition by the state. [Applause.]

Agriculture is a catalyst for growth and food security. We are

working with the private sector to develop an agricultural

policy action plan which will bring one million hectares of

underutilised land into full production over the next three

years. Among key interventions this year, we will promote the

establishment of agriparks or co-operatives and clusters in each

of the 27 poorest district municipalities to transform rural

economies. An initial funding of R2 billion has been made

available for the agripark initiative. We will further enhance

our agro-processing exports which have been growing rapidly,

especially to new markets in Africa and China. For example, we

have concluded agricultural trade protocols for the export of

South African maize and apples to China. The export of apples

alone is projected to generate R500 million in foreign exchange

over three years.

A good story to tell in agriculture is the success of some of

our emerging farmers and smallholders. In the Vhembe District

Municipality in Musina the Limpopo government has supported the

Nwanedi cluster comprising 300 farmers growing vegetables on

just over 1 300 hectares for commercial purposes. The cluster

has already created more than 2 500 jobs as vegetable farming is

highly labour-intensive. We are happy to have in our midst

today, the winner of the 2014 Agriculture Top Female

Entrepreneur Award, Ms Nokwanele Mzamo, from Kirkwood in the

Eastern Cape. [Applause.]

Our interventions to support the manufacturing sector are

bearing fruit. Our Automotive Investment Scheme has unlocked

private sector investment of R24,5 billion and generated exports

of automotives and components of R103 billion in 2013. We have

built a world-class auto sector on the African continent

exporting to over 152 countries.

The leather and footwear sector has also grown to 60 million

pairs of shoes, and exports grew by 18% with significant benefit

to the balance of trade. The United Nations Conference on Trade

and Development shows that South Africa doubled its foreign

direct investment inflows to R88 billion in 2013, while 2014

projections are also positive.

The manufacturing sector was hit hard by the global financial

crisis. Government committed more than R2,8 billion to companies

in the sector through the Manufacturing Competitiveness

Enhancement Programme. We are very pleased with the response of

our manufacturers who committed over R12,4 billion in private

sector investment. It is a very good story to tell indeed. In

addition, to advance transformation, we have introduced a

programme to find and develop black industrialists over three

years. Given such success in manufacturing we are poised to make

progress in our quest to ignite growth.

To attract foreign skills for our growing economy, we will

invite dialogue with various stakeholders on the Migration

Policy. We will also prioritise the review of visa regulations

to strike a balance between national security and growth in

tourism. [Applause.]

In the state of the nation address of June 2014 I spoke about

the need to stabilise the mining sector and to promote a stable

labour environment. We had been concerned then, about the spate

of long and sometimes violent strikes. The implementation of a

number of programmes under the Framework Agreement for a

Sustainable Mining Industry, has caused relative stability and

optimism in the mining sector, which is the backbone of our

economy. Mine Crime Combating Forums have been established in

the North West, Limpopo, Free State, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng

provinces. Government will implement the agreements reached with

business and labour, including the consideration of a national

minimum wage. We had made a commitment in last year’s state of

the nation address to revitalise distressed mining towns and a

lot of progress has been made. A total of R2,1 billion has been

ring-fenced for this purpose with R290 million approved for

informal settlement upgrading in Mpumalanga, North West,

Gauteng, Northern Cape, Limpopo and the Free State. [Applause.]

One hundred and thirty three informal settlements are being

assessed or prepared for upgrading through the National

Upgrading Support Programme. Thirty two settlements are being

upgraded and 87 housing projects are being implemented across

the prioritised mining towns. Importantly, government, the

mining sector and the Banking Association of South Africa signed

a social contract for the development of sustainable human

settlements. Government also continues to provide social

development support within mining communities. Other support

includes technical expertise with regard to integrated

development plans, IDPs, and the development of special economic

zones. The mining towns are also being assisted with

implementing the “Back to Basics” municipal service delivery

strategy. Indeed a lot is being done to build our mining towns.

[Applause.]

Government is also reviewing the compliance of mining companies

with the 2014 Mining Charter targets. I referred the Mineral and

Petroleum Resources Development Act back to Parliament to enable

the correction of some constitutional shortcomings and others

issues.

Responding to business requests, government has synchronised

environmental impact assessments, water and mining rights

applications and has set a maximum of 300 days for all of these

authorisations to be issued. In addition, we will also establish

a one-stop interdepartmental clearing house to attend to

investor complaints and problems.

The year 2015 will see further improvements in labour

legislation to further promote worker rights. The Labour

Department will review the sectoral determinations of

agriculture, forestry, private security, wholesale and retail

sectors. We expect the finalisation of the Employment Services

Act of 2014, which formally establishes a public employment

service. The legislation also formally regulates the practices

of private employment agencies and temporary employment

services, to prevent the abuse of unsuspecting work seekers. In

addition, the Unemployment Insurance Act of 2001 will be amended

to improve benefits to beneficiaries and include public servants

in the application of the Act.

Hon members and distinguished guests, small business is big

business. [Applause.] Government will set aside 30% of

appropriate categories of state procurement for purchasing from

SMMEs, co-operatives as well as township and rural enterprises.

[Applause.] We will also continue to promote opportunities for

the youth. The National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, has

disbursed R25 million to 765 youth-owned micro enterprises in

the last financial year nationally. [Applause.] The agency has

also partnered with the IDC and the Small Enterprise Finance

Agency in a 3-way partnership that has resulted in a

R2,7 billion fund for young people.

The year 2015 will mark the beginning of the first phase of

broadband roll-out. Government will connect offices in eight

district municipalities. These are Dr Kenneth Kaunda in North

West, Gert Sibande in Mpumalanga, O R Tambo in the Eastern Cape,

Pixley ka Seme in the Northern Cape, Thabo Mofutsanyane in the

Free State, Umgungundlovu and Umzinyathi in KwaZulu-Natal and

Vhembe in Limpopo. [Applause.]

Government has also decided to designate Telkom as the lead

agency to assist with broadband roll-out. As part of further

igniting growth through supporting state-owned companies,

processes are under way to implement a 90-day turnaround

strategy aimed at stabilising the finances of South African

Airways. Accordingly, some of the loss-making international

routes will be phased out. But, we will do this in a manner that

does not impact negatively on travel, trade or tourism between

South Africa and the world.

The National Infrastructure Development Programme continues to

be a key job driver and catalyst for economic growth. Water is a

critical resource for economic growth and a better life. Several

projects aimed at providing water for industrial and household

use are in the implementation or planning phases around the

country. Major projects include Umzimvubu Water Project in the

Eastern Cape, Jozini Dam in Umkhanyakude in KwaZulu-Natal and

projects in Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga and phase one of the

Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation Project in Limpopo.

Progress is being made to improve the water supply to areas that

had been affected by shortages such as Makana District

Municipality in the Eastern Cape, Ngaka Modiri Molema District

Municipality in North West and Giyani in Limpopo where we

celebrated the delivery of water to 55 villages in October last

year.

Let me urge all in the country to conserve water. Every drop

counts. The country loses R7 billion a year to water losses. To

mitigate this challenge, government, through the Department of

Water and Sanitation, will train 15 000 artisans or plumbers who

will fix leaking taps in their local communities. [Applause.] We

are happy to have as our special guest the winner of the Women

in Water conservation awards, Ms Mapule Phokompe from Mahikeng

in North West. She explained to me why Mafikeng is now called

Mahikeng. I now know. [Laughter.]

The infrastructure programme continues to expand transport

networks and to improve roads, which augurs well for economic

growth. The Department of Transport will spend about R9 billion

on the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant or the Sihamba Sonke

Programme and R11 billion on upgrading and maintaining roads

which are not tolled.

Over 6 billion will be spent in 13 cities on planning, building

and operating integrated public transport networks during this

financial year. We will also continue to improve the

infrastructure in schools and higher education institutions to

create an environment conducive for learning and teaching.

Through the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery

Initiative, which is part of the national infrastructure plan,

92 new schools have been completed to date and 108 are under

construction. [Applause.] About 342 schools have received water

for the first time. Three hundred and fifty one schools have

received decent sanitation while 288 have been connected to

electricity.

IsiZulu:

Siyaqhubeka. Siyasebenza.

English:

We are a nation at work.

IsiZulu:

Ngidabukela abangekho, abangasizwa.

English:

Government has identified 16 sites for the construction of 12

new Technical and Vocational Education and Training College

campuses and the refurbishment of two existing campuses.

[Applause.] Work is also continuing to establish three brand new

universities: Sol Plaatjie in the Northern Cape; the University

of Mpumalanga; and the Sefako Makgatho Allied and Health

Sciences University.

Hon members, we continue to deliver houses to our people. By

30 September 2014, a total number of more than 50 000 houses

were delivered in the subsidy and affordable housing segments.

Government will also provide 5 000 housing opportunities for

military veterans. [Applause.] Government will also work to

eradicate the backlog of title deeds for pre- and post-1994

housing stock.

We have in the past year introduced some innovative programmes

to implement the National Development Plan, NDP. Last year we

launched Operation Phakisa - a results-driven laboratory

approach to planning and execution of programmes. Operation

Phakisa on the ocean economy is aimed at unlocking opportunities

in the shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, mining, oil and gas,

bio-technology and tourism sectors. We have committed a

R9,2 billion investment in gas and oil exploration in the port

of Saldanha as part of the Operation Phakisa initiative.

Operation Phakisa on Scaling Up the Ideal Clinic Initiative is

aimed at promoting efficiency, effectiveness and professionalism

in clinics. We will now explore Operation Phakisa in the mining

sector. I have instructed government to partner with the mining

sector to develop win-win solutions to beneficiate our mineral

resources.

Over the past five years, government has scored significant

gains in health care. This year, we are going to launch a

massive programme to turn the tide against tuberculosis, with a

special focus on three communities: offenders at correctional

services facilities; mineworkers; and communities in mining

towns. In fighting the scourge of HIV and Aids, the state-owned

pharmaceutical company, Ketlaphela, has been established and

will participate in the supply of antiretrovirals to the

Department of Health.

We have to continue working harder together to fight crime and

to create safer communities. We are making progress in fighting

crimes against women and children. The SA Police Service Family

Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigation

Unit has secured 659 life sentences against perpetrators of

crimes against women and children. [Applause.]

We are a democratic state and recognise the community’s right to

protest. We, however, appeal that these protests should be

within the ambit of the law and must be peaceful, as stated in

the Constitution. The police successfully brought under control

13 575 recorded public order incidents, comprising 1 907 unrest-

related and 11 668 peaceful incidents.

The fight against corruption continues to be taken forward by

the Anticorruption Inter-Ministerial Committee. Government has

seven anticorruption institutions and 17 pieces of legislation

in place which are intended to combat corruption. This

demonstrates a concerted effort by government to break the back

of this scourge in the country. [Applause.] In the 2013-14

financial year, 52 persons were convicted in cases involving

more than R5 million. Thirty one public servants were convicted

in the first quarter of 2014-15 and freezing orders to the value

of R430 million were obtained. To prevent corruption and promote

ethical governance, in December I signed into law the Public

Administration and Management Act, which, amongst others,

prohibits public servants from doing business with the state.

[Applause.]

Cabinet has adopted vigorous and integrated interventions to

combat the vicious rhino poaching in the country. The

interventions include continuous joint operations with key

neighbouring countries, improved intelligence gathering as well

as enhancing protection in parks and provincial reserves where

rhino are present. Government has also made substantial progress

in establishing a Border Management Agency, to manage all ports

of entry and improve security. [Applause.]

To further improve access to identity documents, citizens will

from this year be able to apply for the new Smart ID Card at

their local bank due to partnership between the Department of

Home Affairs and some banks in the country. [Applause.]

Building a caring, effective and responsive state will continue

to be prioritised. In the 2014 state of the nation address, I

said we would continue to advance and improve the lives of

people with disabilities. In December last year Cabinet released

the draft National Disability Rights Policy for public comment.

Local government is everybody’s business. We have to make it

work. We launched the Back to Basics programme to promote good

governance and effective administration through cutting wastage,

spending public funds prudently, hiring competent staff, and

ensuring transparency and accountability in municipalities. The

Integrated Urban Development Framework, announced in the state

of the nation address of last June, has been approved by

Cabinet.

Fellow South Africans, to contribute to building a better

Africa, South Africa continued to support peace and security and

regional economic integration on the continent. A number of key

outcomes have resulted. The African Capacity for Immediate

Response to Crises, ACIRC, of which South Africa is a

contributing and founding member, has been operationalised. The

South African National Defence Force and SA Police Service

continued to participate diligently in conflict prevention and

peacekeeping on the continent. Led by the Deputy President,

South Africa also continued to support conflict resolution

initiatives in Lesotho, Sri Lanka and South Sudan.

Economic co-operation with our Brics partners was strengthened

when the first two intergovernmental agreements were concluded

on the occasion of the sixth Brics Summit - these were the

Agreement on the New Development Bank and the Treaty

Establishing a Contingent Reserve Arrangement.

Countries of the developed North remain important strategic

partners for South Africa through which the country is able to

advance its national and foreign policy. We have a valuable

partnership with the European Union in, amongst others, the

Infrastructure Investment Programme for South Africa, valued at

approximately R1,5 billion. The renewal of the African Growth

and Opportunity Act beyond September 2015 and a pledge to

support African-led peace initiatives on the continent are among

the significant outcomes of the United States-Africa leadership

Summit held in the US last year. On a multilateral level, 2015

marks the 70th anniversary of the United Nations which brings

into sharp focus the need to transform the UN Security Council

and other international institutions.

National liberation heroes, Moses Kotane and JB Marks, will be

reburied in South Africa in March. [Applause.] These will be

reburials. As you know, they were buried in Russia. Now they are

coming back home. We thank the government and people of the

Russian Federation for looking after the remains of our heroes

with dignity for so many years. [Applause.]

In sports, Team South Africa will participate in the All Africa

Games in Brazzaville, Congo, in 2015. The Springboks will

participate in the IRB World Cup that takes place in England in

September 2015. The Proteas are in Australia and New Zealand to

participate in the International Cricket Council Cricket World

Cup. All South Africans must as usual, rally behind the national

teams. [Applause.]

We must also appreciate our Bafana Bafana. [Laughter.] I think

you will agree with me that this time around they qualified with

flying colours. [Laughter.] [Applause.] They were in a group

called “the group of death”. But, even then, in most of the

games, they scored first. [Laughter.] We must give them support.

They made us proud!

We will continue to promote healthy lifestyles and urge citizens

to refrain from smoking and the abuse of alcohol and drugs.

[Applause.] In this regard, on 10 May we will mark the Move for

Health Day, an international event promoted by the World Health

Organisation. The day also coincides with the anniversary of the

inauguration of President Mandela.

A lot has been achieved in the past year. We believe that our

nine-point economic intervention plan on the economy will

consolidate the achievements and ignite much-needed growth.

During this year of the Freedom Charter and Unity in Action to

Advance Economic Freedom, we rededicate ourselves to unity and

hard work to ensure continuous success in our beautiful country.

Together, we move South Africa forward! I thank you. [Applause.]

THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon members, we take this

opportunity to thank the President for his patience and for

delivering his state of the nation address.

Debate concluded.

The Joint Sitting adjourned at 20:19.