Cabinet met on Wednesday, 13 February 2019 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

A. Issues in the environment

1. State of the Nation Address (SoNA)

1.1. Cabinet welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2019 SoNA, which marks 25 years since the first Joint Sitting of Parliament in the new democratic South Africa. A majority of South Africans also welcomed the address, which continues to provide hope and renewal.

1.2. President Ramaphosa reflected on the progress made in the past year. Building on these successes, the President outlined this year’s focus areas. These included the continuation of intervention measures to accelerate inclusive economic growth and create jobs; improve our education system and develop the skills for the future and step up the fight against corruption and state capture.

1.3. In the next week, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will unpack the financial plan when he delivers his Budget Speech. Through the departmental budget votes, Ministers will unpack their operational plans that will give effect to the President’s SoNA.

1.4. Cabinet remains committed to steering our country towards the realization of Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan (NDP), the blueprint for eliminating poverty and reducing inequality and unemployment in the country by 2030.

2. African Mining Indaba

2.1. South Africa successfully hosted the 25th annual Investing in Africa Mining Indaba, which is the world’s largest gathering of mining stakeholders and decision-makers. In pursuit of attracting investment in mining, this year’s Indaba was held under the theme: “Championing Africa’s Sustainable Economic Development”.

2.2. Cabinet welcomes the signed mining stakeholder compact. The compact will go a long way towards promoting foreign direct investments in different sectors of the mining industry.

2.3. Government, through the Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti) Industrial Policy Action Plan, has identified mineral beneficiation as an area that presents an abundance of opportunities that investors can take advantage of to grow the mining sector. This provides massive potential of contributing to growing the country’s economy, creating jobs, transformation and eradicating poverty.

3. ESKOM

3.1. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordan briefed Cabinet on the recent load-shedding that affected the running of the economy across the country. These disruptions have had an immeasurable impact on South African households and the economy.   

3.2. South Africa’s energy supply remains an absolute imperative and the current situation at Eskom poses significant risks to the country, its financial stability and the economy. The strategic unbundling of Eskom into three separate wholly State Owned entities – generation; transmission and distribution - is required for the long-term sustainability of the power utility and the country.

3.3. To address the recent situation, President Ramaphosa has appointed a Special Cabinet Committee on Eskom led by the Deputy President and comprising the Ministers of Public Enterprises; Energy; Finance; Transport; Intelligence and Police. This committee will deal with matters of Eskom daily and deliver daily reports to the President on what actions need to be taken to secure energy supply.

3.4. The team is expected to meet with all stakeholders to help restore stability to the grid and chart a way forward whilst ensuring that there is minimal economic cost to the consumer and taxpayers.

4. Right to vote

4.1. Cabinet congratulates all South Africans, especially thousands of young and first-time voters, who participated in the last voter registration weekend on 26 and 27 January 2019 before the country holds its sixth democratic national and provincial elections on 8 May 2019.

4.2. Cabinet calls on all eligible voters to exercise their right responsibly and appeals to South Africans who have not yet registered to vote, to do so at Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) offices which are open around the country. You can also check your voter registration status by sending an SMS with your ID number to 32810 (R1.00 per SMS) or install the IEC’s free mobile app for voters and use it to check your registration details.

4.3. Since the birth of our democracy, we have built a thriving constitutional democracy with institutions that ensure our basic rights and freedoms. Furthermore, programmes have been implemented to structurally transform the economy and address our many socio-economic challenges. The upcoming elections are an opportunity for a new generation of young South Africans to exercise their right to vote, and have a say in their future and that of our country.

5. Total oil and gas discovery
 
5.1. As part of the national effort to grow the economy and create jobs, government has – through Operation Phakisa for the Oceans Economy – facilitated opportunities in the country’s oil and gas sector for growth and investment. South Africa has potential resources of nine billion barrels of oil and 60 tcf (trillion cubic feet) or 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent of gas offshore.

5.2. Cabinet has lauded the offshore discovery of gas condensate by oil company Total that could contain one billion barrels of resources, which will significantly boost the country's oil and gas supplies.

5.3. The discovery was made by the company after drilling at its Brulpadda prospects in the Outeniqua basin, about 175 kilometres (km) off the coast of South Africa.

6. 32nd Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU)

6.1. Cabinet congratulates the appointment of President Ramaphosa as Chair of the AU for 2020. He will take over from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is currently serving his term for 2019.

6.2. President Ramaphosa led a South African delegation to the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU, held in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from 15 January to 11 February 2019, under the theme “Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”. This provided a platform to reflect on and address the root causes of forced displacement in Africa.

6.3. South Africa submitted its Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) during the summit. Issues deliberated on included the institutional reform and financing of the continental body; Peace and Security on the Continent; developments related to the AfCFTA; and negotiations for a new cooperation agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific developing countries and the European Union Post-2020.

6.4. During the course of this year, President Ramaphosa is also expected to take chairship of the meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). CAHOSCC was established in 2009 by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to lead the African Common Position on Climate Change and in global climate change negotiations.

6.5. When President Ramaphosa assumes chairship, he will work with other heads of state to ensure successful implementation of the landmark Paris Agreement to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Through CAHOSCC, Africa will make a significant contribution to the global effort for a low-carbon and climate resilient development.

7. Higher education

7.1. Cabinet extends condolences to the family and friends of the Durban University of Technology student, Mlungisi Madonsela. The disruption of learning and closures of institutions of higher learning, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, which tragically led to the death of this student, are a cause for much concern.
 
7.2. Cabinet calls on all role-players to resolve issues in a peaceful manner. Our country needs educated young speople to contribute to our development.

7.3. Government, through the Department of Higher Education and Training, is assisting institutions of higher learning where there are challenges. Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor has also directed National Student Financial Aid Scheme administrators to prioritise providing responses to all student queries.

8. Containment of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)

8.1. In safeguarding the health of the nation, Cabinet is pleased with the response and interventions to avoid spillage of the FMD outbreak in the Vhembe District, Limpopo. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, along with the Red Meat Association and other stakeholders, are working to address the issue in an integrated manner.

8.2. Vaccination started on 14 January 2019, with cattle in affected villages, as well as cattle in the 20 km radius around affected villages. To date, the total number of cattle vaccinated is over 10 000; they are being marked to distinguish them from others.

9. South African Film Summit

9.1. The South African film industry has long been recognised as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in South Africa. The creative and cultural industry, particularly the film sector, also plays a key role in developing the South African story and contributing to the efforts of nation-building and social cohesion.

9.2. In line with this approach, Cabinet welcomes the first South African Film Summit, held in Johannesburg from 4 to 5 February 2019 under the theme: “Transformation and innovation in the South African Film/Audio-Visual Industry and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Are we geared for change?”

9.3. The summit’s outcomes are expected to contribute towards creating an enabling environment for the industry to thrive. Government remains committed to funding projects through the Industrial Development Corporation and the dti.

B. Cabinet decisions

10. Social cohesion and nation-building

10.1. While our nation has made massive strides since 1994, the artificial barriers based on race, class and cultural differences continue to undermine our advances. In this regard, Cabinet approved the Political Perspective, which provides a legislative and policy framework to support greater social cohesion and nation-building going forward.

10.2. The framework will have a far-reaching effect on implementing the objectives of constructing “a united people and a more cohesive society are not only national objectives; they are also the means to eradicating poverty,” as set out in the NDP.

10.3. All sectors of society are encouraged to support the policy framework by celebrating our differences and building a society that reverses the legacy of colonialism and apartheid.

10.4. The Department of Arts and Culture will be convening the Social Compact Convention at the end of March 2019 in Johannnesburg where various sectors of society – including civil, labour, business, academia and intelligentsia, religious fraternity and media – will commit to the project of social cohesion and nation-building. Consultations with sectors will be done during February and mid-March 2019.

C. Bills

11. Children’s Amendment Bill of 2019

11.1. Cabinet has approved the submission of the Children’s Amendment Bill of 2019 to Parliament to strengthen our nation’s work in protecting the rights of children.

11.2. In 2017 the Centre for Child Law litigated the Department of Social Development on foster-care backlogs.

11.3. The High Court directed the Minister of Social Development to, amongst others, prepare and introduce before Parliament the necessary amendment to the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act 38 of 2005) and/or the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act 13 of 2004) to provide comprehensive legal solution to address foster-care challenges.

11.4. All children should enjoy access to services that are aimed at facilitating their safety, care and protection; and an effective social welfare system. There are multiple inadequacies in the current child care and protection system. The Bill addresses, amongst others, the challenges relating to the provision and administration of foster care, and other related child care and protection matters.

D. Upcoming events

12. Digital Economy Summit

12.1. The global move towards technology inspired by the 4IR brings with it new opportunities to build our society and economy. To remain at the forefront of new technological trends, the country will host the Digital Economy Summit in March 2019.

12.2. The summit is convened under the banner of the 4IR South Africa (4IRSA), a partnership between the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Telkom, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg and University of Fort Hare.

12.3. The #4IRSA aims to address the challenges facing South Africa in the Digital Age so as to find a coherent and collective response for the country. 

13. 2019 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards

13.1. As part of promoting regional integration, cooperation and recognising excellence in journalism, South African media are invited to submit their entries for the 2019 SADC Media Awards competition by 28 February 2019. The awards are in the fields of print, radio, television and photo journalism.

E. Messages

14. Condolences

14.1. Cabinet joins President Ramaphosa and all South Africans in extending condolences to the families and friends of learners who died after a walkway collapsed at Hoërskool Driehoek in Vanderbijlpark on Friday, 1 February 2019. Cabinet also wishes all injured learners a speedy recovery.

15. Congratulations

15.1.Cabinet has congratulated:

15.1.1. the Soweto Gospel Choir for making South Africa proud again after winning the Grammy for the best world music album. The group won for its album Freedom – renditions of well-known liberation struggle songs.  This is the choir’s third Grammy Award.

15.1.2. the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) for winning the African Renewable Energy Programme Award from London-based institution, Project Finance International. The DBSA was recognised for its innovative financing of 14 renewable energy projects in the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme.

15.1.3. two of our scientists who won the prestigious AU Kwame Nkrumah Awards for Scientific Excellence 2018 edition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 11 February 2019:

Prof Aletta Schutte won the regional prize for Women Scientist US$20 000 for the Life and Earth Sciences category. She is a Professor of Physiology at North-West University. Prof Schutte holds a SARChI in the Early Detection and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Africa, the research chair is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Her research focus is on hypertension and its development in African populations.

Prof David Mark Richardson won the continental award of US$100 000 for the Earth and Life Science category. He is a Distinguished Professor of Ecology at Stellenbosch University, and Director of the DST-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology. His research deals with understanding issues pertaining to invasive alien tree species.

15.1.4. South Africa’s Under-20 football team, Amajita, for qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, to be held in Poland in May 2019. Amajita booked their spot after making it through to the semi-finals of the Confederation of African Football Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations currently underway in Niger.

Enquiries: Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Cabinet Spokesperson (GCIS)
Mobile: 083 501 0139

Cabinet met on Wednesday, 27 February 2019 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

A. Issues In The Environment

1. 2019 Budget Speech

1.1. Cabinet welcomes the 2019 Budget Speech delivered by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni in Parliament, Cape Town on Wednesday, 20 February 2019, as a framework that has set South Africa on a path where together we are enabled to renew and rebuild our economy into an inclusive and thriving one.

1.2. The Budget Speech brings into effect the commitments outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address in Parliament, Cape Town on 7 February 2019. 

1.3. Cabinet supports various initiatives, including cutting the public sector wage bill, in order to generate additional savings to strengthen government’s finances. Imposing strict conditions of financial support to Eskom to help the utility restructure into a viable organisation is also welcomed.

1.4. We all have a part to play in growing the economy and creating jobs for our people. Overcoming the toughest challenges stemming from the legacy of apartheid means working together  with government to implement its programmes, grow the economy and attract more foreign investment.

2. Eskom

2.1. Cabinet received a report from Deputy President David Mabuza on the work of the joint Special Cabinet Committee on Eskom that was established in response to recent electricity supply disruptions and the negative impact on the economy.  Government’s coordinated efforts to bring financial, operational and structural sustainability to Eskom are proceeding in earnest.

2.2. The Special Cabinet Committee is convened by Deputy President Mabuza and includes the Ministers of Public Enterprises, Energy, Transport, Finance, Police and State Security. It will be required to monitor energy supply on a daily basis.

2.3. In line with President Ramaphosa’s commitment that government’s response to the electricity crisis must be inclusive and consultative, the Minister of Public Enterprises and the Eskom board Chairperson had their first preliminary engagements with the leadership of the three labour unions recognized by Eskom, the coal mining industry and the engineering fraternity.

2.4. The meeting with labour reported on the problems with Eskom’s operations and generation system, maintenance and unplanned outages. The meeting sought to establish a basis for formal future consultations. The restructuring of Eskom was also discussed, and all parties agreed that there would be more interactions to better understand the roadmap and the implications of separating Eskom’s business divisions into three separate operating entities.

2.5. The coal mining industry was convened under the auspices of the Minerals Council of South Africa (MINCOSA), and the meeting raised problems related to coal supply, costs and pricing, and the quality of coal provided to Eskom.

2.6. Further engagements were convened with the engineering fraternity, under the auspices of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). All engineering specialist disciplines were represented by their respective voluntary associations, including the National Association of Black Engineers.

2.7. The ECSA gave its analysis of the problems facing Eskom and provided a set of recommendations about how to involve the broader South African academic and technical professional fraternity in the urgent interventions required to stabilize electricity supply.

2.8. MINCOSA and the ECSA will assist government to establish a Technical Operations and Maintenance Review Team for Eskom that will be announced shortly.

3. Renewable energy

3.1. Cabinet supports the announcements by Energy Minister Jeff Radebe, which reaffirms the basic rationale behind renewable energy in arresting the high negative impact of fossil fuel sources of energy such as oil and coal.

3.2. Energy is a key enabler in South Africa’s trajectory towards socio- economic growth and development. The National Development Plan (NDP) states that South Africa needs at least 20 000 megawatts of  renewable energy by 2030. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme has made a significant impact on the economy, job creation, community upliftment, economic transformation and climate change.

3.3. While South Africa continues to make a significant contribution to the global effort for a low-carbon and climate resilient developments, government remains committed to ensuring a responsible and just  transition to a cleaner future.

3.4. The World Bank Group recently hosted the South African Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems in Cape Town from 25 to 26 February 2019 under the theme: “Batteries, Energy Storage and the Renewable Future – Towards a 100% Dispatchable Renewable Energy System”. Delegates from industry, finance, utilities, regulators, government and academia discussed advancements in the renewable-energy sector including policy, regulatory, financial, business, technological, applications, innovation, codes and standards issues that are required for the expansion of renewable energy.

3.5. Renewable energy and energy storage technologies enable us to convert electrical power into an energy form and store it for later use when needed. Energy storage systems reduce the need for back-up capacity from coal or gas-fired electrical generation plants, thereby reducing power sector emissions and help us mitigate against climate change.

4. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Programme

4.1. Cabinet welcomes local and international investor confidence displayed through investments in the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (SBIDZ), which is developing into a world-class offshore and martime hub. This is part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s SEZ Programme.

4.2. The establishment of SEZs countrywide is reversing the concentration of economic activity to certain areas of the country as a result of apartheid spatial planning.

4.3. Since their establishment, SEZs have contributed to attracting foreign direct investment such as the recently signed a R3-billion investment at the SBIDZ.

4.4. The SBIDZ’s investment pipeline includes at least five more investments that will add another R2.4 billion of investment to the short and medium-term outlook of the zone, once completed.

5. Water supply

5.1. Cabinet welcomes the  Mzimvubu Water Project’s advanced infrastructure at Esiqhungqwini village in Tsolo, situated in Mhlontlo Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, as an example of how government continues to meet the needs of communities despite South Africa being a water-stressed country.
 
5.2. The realisation of such water projects create job opportunities and ensure potable water supply for domestic and industrial use.   

5.3. Since the advent of democracy much work has been done to ensure that communities have access to basic services like clean water. Nearly 90% of households currently have access to piped water.  

6. School safety

6.1. Cabinet condemns reported incidents of bullying, robberies and violence in some of the country’s schools. Our children need safe environments of learning and we call on learners, educators, parents and guardians to work together to protect our children socially, physically and emotionally.

6.2. Cabinet also commends the South African Police Service for their swift apprehension of suspects involved in an attempted hijacking at an Edenvale school in Gauteng.

6.3. Cabinet makes a special appeal to school governing bodies to assess the existing infrastructure of their schools to ensure that school buildings are safe, regularly maintained and conducive to learning.

7. Unacceptable practices by some religious leaders

7.1. Cabinet noted with concern recent media reports about certain unacceptable practices by some religious leaders. The recent purported resurrection of a deceased person is a case in point. More of such incidences have happened in the recent past, ranging from spraying of congregants with poisonous insecticides to encouraging them to consume vehicle fuel, rats and grass, among others.

7.2. People approach religious institutions to gain spiritual fulfilment and psychological strength, especially when they are at their lowest and most vulnerable state. Cabinet calls on all people to work together to stop these practices which abuse people’s vulnerability and endanger their lives. The law-enforcement agencies should intervene where acts of criminality have been committed under the guise of religion. Cabinet has also noted that the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities is investigating these practices, which will provide a more comprehensive intervention that will stop them.

8. 2019 national and provincial elections

8.1. Cabinet calls on all eligible South Africans, especially young first time voters who have registered in their thousands, to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming National and Provincial Elections on Wednesday, 8 May 2019, and have a say in the future of the country.

8.2. President Ramaphosa has officially proclaimed and gazetted the 8 May 2019 as the date for the national and provincial elections. This means the voters’ roll is now officially closed and people will no longer be able to register to vote  in the May elections. The President has also in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act, 1994 (Act 36 of 1994), as amended, declared 8 May 2019 as a public holiday throughout the country.

8.3. In South Africa, the right to vote is a culmination of years of struggle for our freedom. It came at a huge cost with countless of our country men and women sacrificing their lives.

9. Caster Semenya

9.1. Cabinet joins the rest of South Africa in standing united behind our golden girl Caster Semenya. Her case, which is being heard before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, is more than just a sporting matter. It is about fundamental human rights and the inherent dignity of all people.

9.2. We call on people to show their support at #HandsOffCaster. Let us show the world that we are a nation which values fairness, equality and respect for human dignity.

10. Creative industry

10.1. Cabinet is pleased with the positive outcomes of the Creative Industry interaction led by Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, held under the Theme: “Leveraging on Digital Platforms for Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Creatives”. The purpose was to engage the industry to assess the impact of the 4IR on the creative sector, and within  the broadcasting and audio-visual sector, and to develop formal stakeholder platforms towards its transformation.

10.2. Participants agreed that government should engage stakeholders and Parliament on the Copyright Amendment Bill, development of the Media Transformation Charter, engage broadcasters in an endeavour to curb exploitation of small and independent producers, and ensure that content owners duly benefit from their content being used on online platforms.

11. Fake social media accounts

11.1. Cabinet notes with concern fake LinkedIn and Facebook accounts which claim to be that of Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

11.2. We wish to warn members of the public not to be misled and drawn in by these fake accounts, some of which promise fake business opportunities, and which requests people to pay money to be part of these business opportunities. No member of the Executive solicits payments for any official transactions via social media. In cases of doubt, please contact the various ministries or departments at www.gov.za.

11.3. Members of the public are urged to exercise caution and those who fell prey to these impersonators should immediately report it to the police.

11.4. Cabinet condemns activities performed in the name of members of the Executive or any other member of society through fake social media accounts.

11.5. We distance ourselves from the comments, views and photographs purported by these fake accounts.

12. Venezuela

12.1. Cabinet is concerned about the unfolding situation in Venezuela, especially the humanitarian challenges that require urgent attention. We commend efforts by the United Nations (UN) to provide humanitarian support to locals and call on the the international community to support the people of Venezuela during this difficult time.

12.2. Cabinet further supports calls for the people of Venezuela to be afforded the opportunity to decide their own future. Drawing from our own  experience in South Africa, we believe that a permanent solution can only be achieved from internal and inclusive political dialogue involving all affected parties in that country.

B. Cabinet Decisions

13. National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

13.1. Since 1994, successive administrations have worked to unite all our people, foster national unity and ensure greater social cohesion.  Healing the divisions of the past is a continuous process that must go hand in hand with ensuring greater economic opportunities for more people. Cabinet has therefore approved the NAP to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance for tabling at the UN.

13.2. This follows extensive consultations with government departments, Chapter Nine institutions, civil-society organisations and relevant stakeholders in all provinces.

13.3. The NAP will contribute to and ensure government’s compliance with its  international, regional and national obligations, specifically the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the UN following the 3rd World Conference against Racism (WCAR) held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal in 2001.

14. Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

14.1. Cabinet approved submission of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Parliament for ratification in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996.

14.2. Ratification promotes constitutionalism, human rights and is in accordance with South Africa’s international obligations. The Constitution provides for the prevention of the violation of the rights of person held in places of detention through state sanction or court order.

15. Designs of the commemorative collectors coin series

15.1. Cabinet approved the designs of the commemorative collectors’ coin series to be issued in 2019-2021:

a) 2019 ‘Celebrating South Africa’ coin series: 25 Years of a Constitutional Democracy;
b) 2019-2021 pure-gold coin series: Africa’s Big Five;
c) 2019-2021 platinum coin series: Africa’s Big Five;
d) 2020 Natura coin series: the Supercontinent Gondwana;
e) 2020 Natura coin series: R25 fine-silver coin: Cradle of Humankind – Hominids;
f) 2020 2½c tickey and R2 crown series: South African Inventions – Retinal Cryoprobe;
g) 2020 R10 and R5 colour coin series: Birds and Flowers of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve; and
h) 2021 Natura coin series: R25 fine-silver coin: the Supercontinent Gondwana.

C. Bills

16. Tourism Amendment Bill

16.1. Tourism is a sector that holds the promise of incredible opportunities and must be nurtured to grow and further develop. The NDP recognises that tourism has the potential to become one of the main drivers in the economy.
16.2 In further pursuing the country’s tourism potential as a significant generator of jobs and revenue, Cabinet approved the publication of the Tourism Amendment Bill for public comment, which amends the Tourism Act, 2014 (Act 3 of 2014).
16.3. The amendments improve the governance of South African Tourism as an entity under the authority of a board. It also empowers the Minister of Tourism to determine the thresholds regarding short-term home rental.
16.4. The Bill also provides for the competence requirements of tourist guides and for the regulation of tourist guide driving.

17. Central Application Service Bill of 2019

17.1. As a nation we are committed to opening up and ensuring wider access  to the post-school education and training system. A crucial part of this process lies in ensuring that prospective students have access to a single, affordable and easy-to-understand application system which covers multiple institutions of higher learning. To this effect, Cabinet approved publication of the Central Application Service Bill of 2019 in the Government Gazette, for public comment.

17.2. The Bill provides for the establishment of a public entity that will streamline applications into higher education and training programmes, reduce the cost of application, provide applicants with information on academic programmes and enable the Department of Higher Education and Training and institutions of higher learning to monitor equity and demographics.

18. African Public Library and Information Services Bill of 2019

18.1. In pursuit of a culture of a reading nation, Cabinet has approved the publication of South African Public Library and Information Services Bill of 2019 for public comment. The Bill seeks to address the transformational issues in providing public libraries with the communities particularly those previously disadvantaged communities.

18.2. Cognisance of the fact that the provision of public libraries in terms of the Constitution is a competence of the municipalities. This Bill, amongst others, provides the norms and standards of the ideal public library. It also promotes cooperative governance and coordination across the three spheres of government regarding public library and information services.  

18.3. Once the Bill is approved, it will address the historical inequalities in respect of public libraries and provide for sufficient accommodating resources for impaired persons, youth, elderly and non-English speakers  in urban and rural areas. Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa will hold a media briefing to unpack the Bill.

D. Upcoming events

19. Declaration of gender-based violence (GBV)

19.1. The fight against the scourge of GBV will be strengthened when President Ramaphosa, together with various non-governmental organisations, signs a declaration to combat GBV. The details around the signing ceremony will be announced soon. This follows the inaugural Presidential Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Summit held in November last year.

20. 63rd Session on the UN Commission on the Status Of Women

20.1. The Minister of Women, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will be leading a delegation to present the country report for the 63rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, USA on 13 March 2019.
 
20.2. The commission will consider “social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls”  as a priority theme. The report will highlight South Africa’s commitment to addressing gender inequity and inequality in the country, and continue to introduce programmes and actions to address these.

21. Mining Investment

21.1. Cabinet welcomes the official opening by President Ramaphosa of Vedanta Zinc International’s Gamsberg Mine in the Northern Cape on Thursday, 28 February 2019.

21.2. The investment of more than R21.8 billion builds on the commitments received during the country’s inaugural Investment Conference held last year, which triggered a new wave of industrial and economic development in the country.

21.3. The first phase of the mine will receive an investment of R5.5 billion and has an estimated lifespan of over 30 years. The mine will employ 3 000 people at the height of construction and 700 people permanently.

22. Inaugural Maritime Transport Sector Dialogue

22.1. In further exploring the potential of South Africa as a maritime country defined by its trade and geostrategic location on a major sea-trading route, the Minister of Transport, Dr Blade Nzimande, will host a two-day Inaugural Maritime Transport Sector Dialogue from 28 February to 1 March 2019 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

22.2. The dialogue signifies the commitment made by the Department of Transport in 2019 to accelerate the implementation of the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) approve by Cabinet in 2017.  

22.3. The event will consider actions that must be undertaken to deepen transformation, attract investment into strategic maritime infrastructure projects considered as critical in the positioning South Africa as an Internation Maritime Centre.  It is also a buildup to the furture stablishment of the Maritme Transport Sector Development Council as envisaged by the CMTP.

23. Good Green Deeds

23.1. President Ramaphosa will lead the national campaign “Good Green Deeds” on 8 March 2019 in Buffalo City, Eastern Cape. The responsibility to ensure a clean and safe environment rests with all South Africans.

23.2. Keeping our communities clean starts with us, and it is important that homes and businesses implement sustainable waste management practices.

23.3. The President will also launch the Operation Phakisa: Chemical and Waste Economy, which aims to support the South African economy while reducing its environmental footprint.

24. National Reading Coalition

24.1. President Cyril Ramaphosa will lend further impetus to the National Reading Coalition at an event of which the details will be announced soon. The programme aims to improve the reading habits of South Africans by instilling the love of reading.

25. Small-scale fisheries

25.1. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), in line with the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act 18 of 1998), as amended, will allocate fishing rights to small-scale fisheries in Matigulu community, KwaZulu-Natal on 14 March 2019. This follows a launch in Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape.  

25.2. The DAFF has also conducted extensive training to benefit mainly women in these communities.  Similar launches will also be held in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Cabinet welcomes the mobile application developed by the DAFF called the Abalobi app, which aims to assist small-scale fisheries to link their sea harvest directly with the market such as fish retailers.

E. Messages

26. Congratulations

26.1. Cabinet congratulates:

• underwater photographer Allen Walker of Warner Beach for winning the shark photography category at the World ShootOut 2018 awards held in Germany.
• Chef Kobus van der Merwe of Wolfgat restaurant in Paternoster in the Western Cape, which won the Restaurant of the Year Award at the inaugural World Restaurant Awards in Paris.
• the people of Nigeria and Senegal – and also echoes the sentiment of African Union Commission – for holding successful elections. We look forward to the deepening of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between South Africa and both countries.

27. Condolences

27.1. Cabinet joins President Ramaphosa in expressing condolences on the passing of jazz performer and recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga, Mama Dorothy Masuka, at the age of 83. Mama Masuka will be remembered for her immense contribution to the cultural heritage of South Africa and the continent.

Enquiries:
Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Cabinet Spokesperson (GCIS)
Mobile: 083 501 0139

Cabinet met on Wednesday 13 March 2019 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town

A. Issues in the environment

1. Good Green Deeds

1.1. Cabinet thanks all South Africans who joined President Cyril Ramaphosa in the launch of the national Good Green Deeds campaign. The campaign, presents an opportunity for the various sectors of society to play their part and become more environmentally conscious. South Africa is one of the signatories to the Paris Agreement on climate change which guides the international efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

1.2. It is the duty and responsibility of all people in South Africa to ensure a clean and healthy environment now and for the future generations. A well-managed environment will contribute in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions, contribute towards food security, water, energy and general livelihoods.

1.3. Cabinet calls on everyone to make the Good Green Deeds campaign a way of living so that our neighborhoods, communities and the country can become a global example of being clean, green and habitable.

2. Land Claims

2.1. Cabinet is pleased with the continued roll out programme of land reforms that seek to correct the wrongs of the past and build a more equitable society that will benefit all South Africans.

2.2. In advancing the equitable distribution of land, President Ramaphosa led the handover of the settled and finalised 142 hectares of prime land claims to the community of Moretele, who indicated that they will use the land for development.

2.3. These communities lost their rights to land when they were abruptly removed from their properties following the implementation of the provisions of the Natives Land Act of 1913. The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) has spent over R203 million in settling and finalising the claims.

3. Eskom

3.1. Cabinet received a report from Deputy President David Mabuza on the work of the joint Special Cabinet Committee on Eskom that was established in response to recent, electricity supply disruptions and its negative impact on the economy. Government’s coordinated efforts to bring financial, operational and structural sustainability to Eskom are proceeding in earnest.

3.2. The Eskom Technical Review Team appointed by the Minister of Public Enterprises and the Board of Eskom started its work this week. It is expected to produce a preliminary report within four (4) weeks. The performance of the power plants remain volatile even though load-shedding has not been implemented since 15 February 2019. There has been a number of major incidents in the distribution areas that have contributed to the power disruptions.

3.3. Cabinet noted the good progress that has been made with the recovery of coal stocks across the power stations, but further attention must be given to the Coal Supply Chain. Cabinet however, remains concerned about the performance of the Medupi and Kusile power stations and has mandated the Minister of Public Enterprises to provide a comprehensive recovery plan based on a reassessment of the key drivers of the cost and time overruns for this new build project.

4. ILO commission on the future of work and EDCON agreement

4.1. Cabinet welcomes the global commission’s report which made 10 recommendations grouped into three pillars: investing in the capabilities of people, investing in the institutions of the world of work; and investing in decent, sustainable work. The recommendation directly speaks to the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment.

4.2. Through the work of Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant, South Africa has made progress in improving workplace conditions through gender balanced measures, more transparency in pay, eliminating violence, harassment in the workplace and specific measures to ensure equal opportunities.

4.3. Cabinet also, welcomes the joint efforts of government, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (which includes trade unions) and the private sector (banks and shopping mass landlords) to recapitalize South Africa’s largest clothing retailer – EDCON. In order to conclude an agreement to save Edcon, all parties had to make sacrifices and to work closely together.

4.4. At the heart of efforts to ensure that Edcon stays afloat is the impact on employment. More than 40 000 direct jobs and many more thousands of direct and indirect jobs would have been lost if Edcon had not been recapitalized. Cabinet calls on South Africans to support the call made at the Jobs Summit to buy Proudly South African products and support local industry.

5. Square Kilometer Array (SKA)

5.1. A new era for global science governance was realised when the Minister of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, on behalf of the South African government, signed the international treaty (called the Rome Convention) in Italy, on 12 March 2019.

5.2. This establishes the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO), as an intergovernmental organization, tasked with building and operating the world's most powerful radio astronomy telescope, to be located in South Africa and Australia.

5.3. Cabinet congratulates the partner nations on this historic milestone and reaffirms South Africa’s commitment to the SKA project, continuing on the successful launch of our MeerKAT telescope and South Africa’s critical contribution to the SKA telescope design. The SKA Observatory will be the first international organisation dedicated to science, in which Africa will exercise a strong leadership role, in the science, engineering and policy domains.

6. KwaZulu-Natal flooding

6.1. Cabinet extends its appreciation for the support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which have also joined forces with government in dispatching aid during the recent floods experienced in some parts of the country.

6.2. In minimising the impact of the recent flash floods in KwaZulu-Natal, government continues to provide aid and support to affected families. Disaster teams and officials are assessing the damage.

6.3. Cabinet urges the public to exercise extreme caution during storms and heavy weather, and not attempt to cross flooded roads, bridges and rivers.

7. Malawi and Mozambique floods

7.1. South Africa through President Ramaphosa received humanitarian and search and rescue requests from his counter parts President of Malawi Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi respectively.

7.2. A light aircraft has been dispatched with a team of specialists to Malawi to establish the exact humanitarian assistance required. South Africa remains committed to offer whatever assistance within its capacity to SADC member states.

B. Cabinet decisions

1. 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)

1.1. Science and innovation often heralds a different way of doing things and allows us to deal with the longstanding challenges in a decisive and cost effective manner. To tap into these benefits, Cabinet approved the 2019 White Paper on STI, which sets the long-term policy direction for a growing role for STI. With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution STI will position us to take advantage of rapid technological advancements.

1.2. The proposals in this White Paper seek to address policy coherence, development of human capabilities, knowledge expansion, innovation; performance and increased investment. These policy proposals will form the basis of the development of the decadal plans involving all the relevant stakeholders.

C. Upcoming events

1. Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

1.1. President Ramaphosa will open the Booysen’s Magistrate Court in Gauteng on Thursday 28 March 2019. He will together with various NGOs sign a declaration, which begins to implement the decisions of the inaugural Presidential Summit on GBV and Femicide held in November 2018.

1.2. He will also launch the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape which will provide services for Family Court, civil cases (including Small Claims Court matters), Sexual Offences Court, regional courts and district courts.

1.3. Government has introduced a number of interventions to supports victims of abuse. A total of 54 Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country serve as one stop facilities to reduce secondary victimization and the time of finalizing sexual abuse cases.

1.4. Cabinet strongly condemns any form of abuse, including verbal abuse against women and children. Government remains committed to be at the forefront of the fight to end GBV. South Africans are encouraged to report all suspected cases of rape, sexual assault or any form of violence to the police on the toll-free number 0800 428 428. Incidents of child abuse can be reported to Childline South Africa’s toll-free line – 0800 055 555.

2. Land Restitution

2.1. Through the CRLR the Deputy President, David Mabuza, as the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform, together with the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, will on Saturday, 16 March 2019, officiate at the Presidential Handover ceremony for settled and finalised land claims in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal.

2.2. The Ubizo Community Land Claim consists of 2548 - 7861 Hectares of land and is made up of 149 historically disposed households. There are 894 land restitution beneficiaries (30% of which are women), who are direct descendants of this community that will benefit from this handover.  The total value of the assets is R136 million.

3. Human Rights Month

3.1. South Africa will commemorate Human Rights Month under the theme: “The Year of Indigenous Languages: Promoting and Deepening a Human Rights Culture” focusing on the importance of indigenous languages.

3.2. Cabinet encourages South Africans to give effect to the rights enshrined in our Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 and the Bill of Rights, by preserving and promoting indigenous languages.

3.3. The national event will be celebrated on Thursday, 21 March 2019 at Sharpeville in Gauteng where 67 years ago residents peacefully protested against the unjust pass laws and were subsequently gunned down by the apartheid police.

3.4. Human Rights Month also includes Anti-Racism Week from 14 to 21 March 2019, and will be used to further highlight the detrimental effects of racism on society.

D. Messages

1. Congratulations

Cabinet congratulates:

1.1. All stakeholders who partnered with government in securing that South Africa hosts the 2023 Netball World Cup, which will be the first on African soil. Cabinet appreciates the confidence expressed by the International Netball Federation. The country looks forward to giving a warm Ubuntu welcome to the 16 nations who will play 60 matches during the 10-day tournament in the International Convention Centre in Cape Town.

1.2. Ms Nomzamo Mbatha who was crowned as the winner of the Goddess Beauty Award at the International Women of Power Awards in Los Angeles, USA. Mbatha will be recognised for her talents on TV as a media personality and an actress, as well as on her work with the United Nations.

1.3. Mr Vincent Cosa for the bravery he displayed in rescuing a child during a flash flood in Johannesburg.

1.4. Ms Nosipho Mkhupheka for winning the Forbes Woman Africa Public Sector Awards on Friday, 08 March 2019. Ms Mkhupheka won her award for her commitment to serving people with dignity and beyond office hours and has been recognized for serving the people of Scottsburg in KZN diligently.

1.5. Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his team from the University of Pretoria who pioneered in the world’s first surgical procedure using 3D-printed middle ear bones, for conductive hearing loss rehabilitation. This was done at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, on 13 March 2019.

2. Condolences

Cabinet sends condolences to the family and friends of:

2.1. The Minister of COGTA Dr Zweli Mkhize who sadly lost his older brother Mr Jabulani Gerald Mkhize on Sunday, 10 March. He will be laid to rest on the 16 March at his family home in Willowfountain Pietermaritzburg, KZN.

2.2. Mr Sibusiso Khwinana who played the character of Lefa in the recently released local movie Matwetwe. He was also a founding member of the Independent Theatre Makers Movement, which aims to establish a generation of self-reliant artists by encouraging them to take ownership of their work and acknowledge their potential.

2.3. The victims of the tragic Ethiopian Airlines plane which crashed while en route to Nairobi in Kenya from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing all passengers and crew members’ on board.

2.4. All those who lost their lives in the recent floods in some parts of the South Africa as well as in Malawi and Mozambique.

E. Appointments

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and the relevant clearance.

1. Mr Mandla Reginald Sithole: Chief Financial Officer in the Department of Public Works;
2. Mr Enoch Godongwana and Ms Bongiwe Kunene: Non-executive directors on the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Board of Directors (Board) for a period of three (3) years with effect from 1 April 2019;
3. Reappointment of Ms Malijeng Theresa Ngqaleni and Ms Martie Jacoba Janse Van Ransburg: Non-executive directors on the DBSA Board for a three years period with effect from 01 April  2019;

4. Members to the Bloem Water Board:

a. Mr Tefetso Bernard Phitsane (Chairperson);
b. Adv. Tshepiso Doreen Segoe-Backward (Deputy Chairperson);
c. Mr Zolani Mkiva;
d. Mr James Jonathan Price;
e. Ms Theda Ntikile Sandlana-Thebe;
f. Ms Dipitseng Maropeng Manamela; 
g. Mr Luvuyo Xola Ntoyi;
h. Mr Louis Evelyn van Rheede van Oudtshoorn;
i. Mr TM Manyoni; and
j.  Ms Mmathebe Annah Faith Moja.

Enquiries:
Ms Phumla Williams
Acting Director-General (GCIS)
Cell: 083 501 0139

A. Issues in the environment

1. Investment

1.1. Cabinet welcomes the second-phase expansion of the Dube Trade Port Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in KwaZulu-Natal. The R18-billion investment brings an additional 45 hectares of industrial space into the SEZ. It will serve as the foundation to attract an estimated R20 billion in investment over the next five years.  

1.2. Cabinet also welcomes Chinese electronics manufacturer Hisense’s R72-million investment into its refrigeration and television production lines at its Atlantis factory in the Western Cape, which created 150 manufacturing job opportunities. This investment brings Hisense’s total investment in this Atlantis plant to R440 million.

2. Land restitution

2.1. President Cyril Ramaphosa handed over the first-ever land restitution to descendants of the Griqua community (Ebenhaeser community) in Vredendal in the Western Cape. This handover continues the Land Reform Programme of improving the conditions of the previously disadvantaged communities. 

2.2. Cabinet welcomed the post-settlement support provided by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform through a variety of tractors to be used by farmers in the area, which will ensure the keeping and working of the land for current and future generations.

3. Quarterly Labour Survey

3.1 Cabinet welcomes the release this week of the latest employment data from StatsSA, which confirm the growth in total employment during 2018. The Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), one of two surveys conducted by StatsSA, showed that employment in the formal sector grew by 158 000 during the 12 months of 2018. During the last three months of last year, employment grew by 87 000. The survey excludes data on agriculture and the informal economy.

3.2 This welcome trend follows the release last month of the more comprehensive Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), which covers all sectors of the economy, both formal and informal, and which also showed significant employment growth during 2018.

3.3 This increase in jobs reflect in part growing investor confidence and a rise in foreign direct investment in the economy, pointing to the success of the President’s efforts to boost South Africa as a destination for investment. The Presidential Investment Conference held in October last year attracted pledges of R300 billion. Over the next four years, Government will work with investors, local communities and organized labour to enable the pledged investment to take place and to help create additional jobs and economic opportunities.

3.4 Since the start of the current Administration, the QLFS shows that total employment has grown to 16, 5 million, with 1, 5 million new jobs created in the 5-year period.

4. Cyclone Idai devastation

4.1. Cabinet extends its condolences to the families of victims of Cyclone Idai that affected parts of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The cyclone left a trail of destruction, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, destroyed vast areas, cut off communication networks and made roads impassable. 

4.2. In the spirit of Ubuntu (Humanity), President Ramaphosa has responded to the call for assistance from our neighbours by approving various interventions, including search-and-rescue capability.

4.3. Cabinet expresses its appreciation on the work done by our South African National Defence Force (SANDF), South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Health. SANDF helicopters helped to rescue people trapped by the floods and the SAPS also deployed specially trained dogs with their handlers to the search-and-rescue mission. Cabinet also thanks non-governmental organisations and the Gift of the Givers for providing ongoing humanitarian and disaster-relief assistance.

5. Eskom

5.1. Deputy President David Mabuza reported to Cabinet on developments regarding Eskom and electricity constraints. Good progress has since been made in acquiring sufficient coal and diesel supplies, and with water reserves at pumped storage stations at hydro-electricity plants.

5.2. The Technical Review Panel that was appointed by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and the Eskom Board on 4 March 2019, will finish some of its work by early next week and will have some preliminary results from its review of Eskom power stations. This will assist Eskom and government to put in place a more rigorous programme of power-plant maintenance, which will help stabilise the generation system over the next few weeks and months. 

5.3. Cabinet also dealt with the financial situation of Eskom. Further options are being considered to support the power utility. Electricity generation has been stable this week with a low risk of load-shedding.  However, there are still a high number of unplanned outages that create a disruptive effect on the overall system.

5.4. Cabinet commended the Eskom management and staff for their efforts to provide stable, consistent and reliable energy supply both to our economy and to our citizens under difficult operating conditions.

5.5. Cabinet emphasised that all South Africans should cooperate and come up with new ideas – as well as energy-saving practices that were applied in the past – to reduce the demand for electricity. These include switching off geysers, swimming pool pumps and lights that are not in use. Further progress on Eskom and electricity generation, as indicated by the Minister of Public Enterprises, will be provided within the next week.

6. Passing on of Princess Irene Thandekile Buthelezi

6.1. Cabinet expressed its heartfelt condolence to the family and friends of Princess Irene Thandekile Buthelezi, the wife of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Princess Irene was married to Inkatha Freedom Party leader Prince Buthelezi for 67 years.

The Princess has been the pillar and support to Prince Buthelezi during his years as a political figure in South African politics. Princess Irene is also survived by their children Prince Ntuthukoyezwe Zuzifa, Princess Phumzile Nokuphiwa and Princess Sibuyiselwe Angela, and grandchildren.

7. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

7.1. Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor announced the allocation of an additional R967 million to NSFAS.  The amount will go towards the settling of the historic debt to the universities by 52 514 NSFAS funded students that are still continuing with their studies. This allocation does not include those students that are already fully funded on the revised threshold of the joint minimum income of the parents.

7.2. Cabinet supports all attempts made towards making education accessible particularly to students coming from poor families. It will continue to support the work that seeks to narrow the gap of inequality with our society. Cabinet calls on the students to continue to work with the department to find solutions to outstanding issues they still face.

8. South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

8.1. Cabinet has noted and welcomes the work that is being done to assist the SABC to raise R3, 2 billion as interim funding from the commercial banks. This will ensure the broadcaster is able to meet its funding requirements between now and September 2019.

8.2. Cabinet remains committed to supporting the SABC and this follows earlier announcements by the Finance Minister Tito Mboweni in his Budget Speech in February 2019 to support state-owned companies (SOCs) in financial distress, including the SABC, to receive funding currently allocated in the contingency reserve. 

9. Southern African Development Community (SADC) Solidarity Conference

9.1. Cabinet is pleased that South Africa hosted a successful SADC Solidarity Conference with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic earlier this month.

9.2. Western Sahara is the only country in Africa that remains under colonial rule. The SADC Solidarity Conference with Western Sahara seeks, among other things, to reaffirm the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination. This is in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) as well as the then Organisation of the African Unity and the African Union (AU).

B. Cabinet decisions

10. New South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner

10.1. Cabinet welcomes the appointment of Mr Edward Christian Kieswetter as the new Commissioner of SARS with effect from 1 May 2019.

10.2. Mr Kieswetter obtained his Honours degree in Education Science in 1988, a Master of Science Education in 1996 and a Master of Business Administration in 2001, amongst others. He brings to SARS a wealth of managerial experience which he acquired from both the private and public sector. The conclusion of this appointment gives effect to the recommendation made by the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS, chaired by retired Judge Robert Nugent.

11. Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS (Nugent Report)

11.1. Cabinet was briefed on the outcome of the work of the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS. President Ramaphosa appointed the commission on the 24 May 2018to, among others, stabilise SARS, restore its credibility and strengthen its capacity to meet revenue targets. Its interim report was submitted on 27 September 2018 and the final report on 11 December 2018. 

11.2. Cabinet noted the findings of the commission most failings at SARS stemmed from a “massive failure of governance and integrity” under the former Commissioner.  The commission made 27 specific corrective recommendations to rectify past harmful decisions, covering an array of areas which included procurement, organizational design and strengthening of the organisational leadership. One of the key recommendations has been the urgent appointment of the Commissioner for SARS.

11.3. Cabinet expresses its broad support for the recommendations made by the Commission and the Minister of Finance will oversee the implementation of its recommendations, including leading a consultative process to amend the SARS Act to improve governance and accountability, and the potential role of an Inspector General compared to a Board.

11.4. Cabinet expresses its gratitude to Judge Nugent, panel members and the support team of the Commission, for its high quality report, and the speed and efficiency to produce them. The report has been public since its release, and is available on the Presidency website.

12. Evaluation of the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) 2013-2018

12.1. Cabinet approved the evaluation report of the NDMP 2013-2018 as a demonstration of government’s continued commitment to fight the use and effects of drugs within communities around the country.

12.2. The evaluation establishes that whilst the NDMP provides a guiding framework for the sector, its implementation has been weakened by poor alignment of the strategies of the various relevant departments. 

12.3. It proposes a number of interventions such as harmonizing the strategies of the departments and further recommends a more independent fully funded structure to drive the substance abuse and prevention in our communities, especially amongst the youth.

12.4. Cabinet acknowledges the challenges faced by our communities in respect of drug addiction. The recommendation made by this evaluation will go a long way in decisively addressing this issue. Cabinet also approved the setting up of an Anti-Drug Council, structured similarly to the South African National AIDS Council, to drive the fight against drug addiction. The revised master plan will now be referred to as Anti-Drug Master Plan.

13. Framework on Gender Responsive Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring Evaluation and Audit

13.1. Cabinet approved the Framework on Gender Responsive Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring Evaluation and Audit. The framework places gender mainstreaming at the centre of public policy by putting forward a strategy and implementation plan towards gender responsiveness of existing planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluations and auditing systems.

13.2. The constitutional mandate to end gender discrimination, and realise the rights of women and girls, requires a decisive and effective paradigm shift across all state machinery.

14. Evaluation reports

14.1. Cabinet also approved a number of other evaluation reports that were commissioned through the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) including the following:

• The Evaluation of the Framework for Strategic and Annual Performance Plans (FSAPP) which determines whether FSAPP has been effective at guiding departments in their service delivery, particularly responding to government’s priority outcomes, and in holding departments accountable for performance. The review confirms the relevance of this approach, however it indicates that the design has some gaps and that the approach is not entirely aligned, coherent and consistent with all the related policies and legislation. The report proposes a number of interventions to strengthen this approach.
• The Evaluation of Design Draft Policy on Community Colleges, which looks at the design of the draft policy to address the lack of education and training opportunities for adults and post-school youth and the failure of them to meet the needs of adult and youth to access the labour market and livelihood skills. The evaluation report highlights the absence of adequate resources to enable this programme to derive the anticipated outcomes. 
• The Evaluation of Government Business Incentives, which provides an assessment of how the system as a whole is working to support business and benefit society. Government uses a wide range of incentives to encourage firms to act or invest in specific activities or contribute to certain social or economic outcomes. The report identifies overlaps and complementaries in various business incentives. It recommends amongst others the establishment of an Intergovernmental Incentive co-ordination committee.
• The Evaluation of the Integrated Strategy on the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprises, which assessed the effectiveness of implementation of this strategy, which was approved in 2005 to focus on critical areas such as job creation, equity and access to  markets. These enterprises play a critical role in creating employment, innovation and growth. The proposed improvement plan includes improvement, coordination and rationalisation across all spheres of government and strengthen institutional governance and oversight.

14.2. The evaluations seek to strengthen the Public Service and governance of government. The evaluations were commissioned to independent service providers and will be posted on the DPME website: www.dpme.gov.za.

15.  National coordinating mechanism for UN, AU and the SADC

15.1. In line with the National Development Plan, which seeks to promote sustainable development by tackling regional, continental and global challenges, Cabinet approved the establishment of a national coordinating mechanism to coordinate the sustainable development agendas of the UN, AU and the SADC.

15.2. This national coordination mechanism will serve as a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder process to facilitate consultations and coordination within and outside government on South Africa’s international sustainable development commitments.

15.3. This will be overseen by an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), driven from the centre of government, which will ensure that the development agendas (UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan) are fully reflected in the country’s national plans, and will provide overall guidance on fulfilling monitoring and reporting requirements.

16. IMC on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

16.1. Subsequent to President Ramaphosa’s announcement in his 2019 State of the Nation Address, Cabinet approved the establishment of an IMC on the 4IR.

16.2. The commission is to advise on strategies and policies to respond to new technological developments occasioned by digitisation and the 4IR. The main responsibility of the IMC is to coordinate planning and implementation of the 4IR interventions, including complementing the work of the Presidential Commission on 4IR.

17. End of term

17.1. As Cabinet concludes its programme of this fifth administration, it thanked social partners and citizens. It called on South Africans to remain resolute in building a prosperous country.

17.2. Cabinet expressed its appreciation to Parliament and the Judiciary for upholding constitutional values and holding the Executive to account in the interest of a better life for citizens.

17.3. It also expressed its appreciation to South Africa’s partners in the SADC; AU;  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa; Group of 20 (G20), UN and other formations, for standing by South Africa to improve conditions in the country, and for working with it in pursuit of a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world.

17.4. Cabinet paid homage to the members of the National Executive who passed on during this fifth administration, Ministers Collins Chabane and Edna Molewa, as well as leaders in other spheres of government who had served the country with distinction and advanced the interests of South Africa domestically and globally.

C. Upcoming event

18. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide

18.1. Another milestone in the fight against GBV will be realised on Thursday, 28 March 2019, with the opening of the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg. The state-of-the-art Booysens Magistrate’s Court offers a range of services and is fully equipped to support victims of GBV and femicide.

18.2. The opening of the court will also see President Ramaphosa, together with various civil-society organisations, hosting the Presidential launch of the GBV and Femicide Declaration that begins to commit to the implementation of the decisions from the National GBV and Femicide Summit that was held in November 2018.

18.3. The following courts with Sexual Offences Courts will be handed over in the next three months:

• Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape will yield about nine court rooms, one of which is a Sexual Offences Court. 
• Dimbaza and Bitji Magistrate’s Courts to be launched in the Eastern Cape.
• Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela and the old Middleburg Magistrate’s Court, which has been partially revamped through inmates’ labour to serve as the local seat of the High Court.

18.4. By the end of the fifth administration, a total of 59 new courts would have been built since 1994, exceeding the government target of building at least two courts per year.

19. Second Annual Youth Walk into Economic Opportunities Exposition

19.1. The Ministry of Communications, Telecommunications and Postal Services – in collaboration with other government departments, SOCs and stakeholders – will conduct the Second Annual Youth Walk into Economic Opportunities Exposition on 13 April 2019 in Ntabankulu Local Municipality in the Alfred Nzo District in the Eastern Cape.

19.2. The freedom youth walk, in commemoration of 25 years of freedom, aims to expose youth, unemployed and entrepreneurs into an array of academic, career and business opportunities available in the public and private sector.

20. 2019 National General Elections

20.1. As the country approaches its sixth democratic elections, Cabinet calls on all eligible voters to exercise their constitutional right to cast their vote on 8 May. The participation of voters is central to a well-functioning democracy and through regular elections, citizens can elect their representatives and hold them to account.

20.2. Cabinet calls on the Independent Electoral Commission, public representatives and the public during the Election Day to act in a manner that will ensure free and fair elections. Our law-enforcement agencies will act decisively against anyone found to intimidate, incite or perpetrate violent acts during the elections.

D. Message

21. Condolences

Cabinet has expressed its condolences to the:

21.1. family and friends of African National Congress Chief Whip, Mr Jackson Mthembu, whose daughter Khwezi died, at the age of 25.

21.2. government and people of New Zealand who lost their loved ones during the deadly terrorist attack at Christ Church.

21.3. government and people of the Republic of Indonesia following the flash floods. South Africa and Indonesia are the only countries in Africa and Southeast Asia respectively that are members of the G20, both countries co-chair the New Africa-Asia Strategic Partnership.

22. Congratulations

Cabinet congratulates:

22.1. Professor Ncoza Dlova, an internationally renowned dermatologist from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who helped discover a new gene that is a major cause of permanent hair loss amongst women of African descent. Professor Dlova’s passion for education has led to the compilation of a local textbook on common skin conditions that is aimed at all medical students in the country, as well as educational pamphlets and video material educating patients about their skin conditions.

22.2. the national football team, Bafana Bafana, on their qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The team joins the other four South African teams – Banyana Banyana, The Proteas, Amabhokobhoko and Amajita – who also qualified in their respective qualifying matches. Cabinet also calls on South Africans to support the national team in the upcoming tournament. It also commends the support provided by the UN on the Caster Semenya case at the International Association of Athletics Federations.

E. Appointments

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and the relevant clearance.

1. Dr Fiona Tregenna – Reappointment as part-time member of the Competition Tribunal.

2. Mr Cecil Khosa – Chief Executive Officer of the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator.

3. Mr Themba Cyril Dlamini as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority.

4. Mr Mduduzi Eric Zakwe as the CEO of the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority.

5. Non-executive members to the Board of the Small Enterprise Development Agency for three years:

5.1 Mr Mbulelo Sogoni (Proposed Chairperson)
5.2 Ms Suzan Nyakale
5.3 Ms Matshediso Ndlovu
5.4 Ms Nomsa Kana
5.5 Advocate Derick Block
5.6 Mr Jim Matsho
5.7 Ms Beatrice Nkambule (Princess Tsakani)
5.8 Mr Charl de Kock
5.9 Advocate Mthokozisi Xulu
5.10 Mr Mduduzi Sibeko.

6. Ms Thutukile Skweyiya as Chairperson of the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) until 30 April 2020.

7. Mr Malusi Stanley Motimele as non-executive Board member and Deputy Chairperson of Armscor for three years.

8. Mr Sipho Abednego Mosai, Chief Executive Officer of Rand Water for five years

9. Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency Board:

9.1 Ms Tokozani Patience Nyakane- Maluka (Chairperson)
9.2 Mr Mandlakayise Sam Mthembu (Deputy Chairperson)
9.3 Ms Shivon Desiree Wiggins
9.4 Adv Muzikayise Bernard Shabangu
9.5 Dr Thavamoney M Kelly
9.6 Ms Lungile Linda Carol Zulu
9.7 Ms Lungile Miranda Sikhakhane
9.8 Mr Mashudu Gangazhe
9.9 Mr Pillay Absalom Tshabangu.

Enquiries: 
Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Director-General (GCIS) 
Cell: 083 501 0139

Cabinet met on Wednesday, 26 June 2019 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

A. Issues in the environment 

1. State of the Nation Address (SoNA) 

1.1. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first SoNA of the sixth democratic administration last week, inspired and galvanized all South Africans to work towards a shared prosperous future. SoNA 2019 charts the course for the implementation of the electoral mandate received by the governing party from our people.

1.2. This sets out how working together, we will improve the lives of South Africans and grow the economy for our country, by addressing the persistent realities of unemployment, poverty and inequality. President Ramaphosa’s call for a new social compact requires the contribution of all South Africans working together to overcome our challenges and place the country on a path of greater growth.

1.3. This includes expanding the industrial sector, strengthening the mining industry, supporting the agricultural sector, improving the skills base of our youth and making it easier for tourists to visit the country. As South Africans, we must continue to encourage and support local industries and buy local products.

1.4. The hard work that government will undertake is anchored in seven key priorities that it will pursue over the next five years, and give effect to the National Development Plan (NDP) and our drive to attain Vision 2030.

1.5. The debate on SoNA has highlighted the significance of  us reparing the economy and reparing the broken parts of our state machinery in the implementation of the electoral mandate. This will lead us to achieve the South Africa we want and the South Africa of our dreams as encapsulated in Vision 2030 of the NDP.

1.6. Cabinet calls on all social partners, business, labour, civil society and political formations, to reinforce their collaborative efforts in making our country a better place for all and take shared responsibility for accelerating the country’s growth trajectory.

1.7. On our part as government we will redouble and triple our endevours as directed by the President to remove an impediments to the growth of our economy and build the capacity of our state organs to deliver to our people. During July, respective Ministers will table their Budget Vote statements, in which practical plans will further be unveiled in order to realise the vision that the President has put before the nation. 

2. Youth Month 

2.1. The June Youth Month is a stark reminder of the role played by our youth in creating conditions that led to our freedom. The President’s SoNA puts the growing of the economy and the creation of jobs for our young people at the epicenter of the Sixth administration’s work. The President engaged with various sectors of young people including those living with disabilities, youth in business, in the arts environment and academia prior to his SoNA organised by the National Youth Development Agency under the theme: “25 years of democracy – celebrating youth activism”. This Presidential Youth Dialogue reaffirmed the continued difficulties and challenges faced by our youth that needs urgent intervention by our government.

2.2. In this regard we want to confirm that various government programmes, including the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Programme, the National Youth Service and the Youth Employment Service initiative, go a long way in preparing our youth for the work environment.

2.3. We nonetherless need to double and triple our efforts as a country in creating the much needed jobs for our young people. For us to do so it is incumbent upon us to ignite the growth of our economy as directed by our President. We know it will not be easy, we know there will not be quick solutions turning around the economy but we also know that it must be done for the sake of our country and our youth.

2.4. Cabinet calls on all sectors to take their cue from the President and to actively engage young people in working together to find practical solutions to challenges they experience. We will also do our part in improving the performance of our economy to create jobs for our young people.

3. Reconfiguration of government 

3.1. South Africans have given this sixth administration a clear mandate to accelerate inclusive economic growth, act with greater urgency to tackle poverty, improve government services, fight corruption and end state capture.

3.2. Cabinet confirms that the macro reorganization of government will streamline and improve service delivery to our people through a seamless, cost-effective and efficient government that is more responsive to the needs of South Africans.

4. Trade agreements

4.1. Cabinet welcomed the signing of ninty-three (93) agreements between South African suppliers and Chinese companies, to buy local products for export to China, with a contract value calculated at R27 billion, which will strengthen growth and the creation of jobs.

In addition to that, one of the agreements signed was an investment agreement that covers the Beijing Auto Industrial Cooperation’s investment in the auto-manufacturing plant in the industrial development zone of Coega. It is an investment to build vehicles in South Africa for the South African market but also for markets elsewhere. These deals are part of commitments which came out of the existing comprehensive strategic partnership agreement of 2010, and the eight major commitments made at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

5. Quarterly employment statistics

5.1. The Statistics South Africa released the Quarterly Employment Survey for the first quarter of 2019 in the past week.

5.2. Findings show an increase of 22 000 jobs (+0.2%) from 10 152 000 to 10 174 000 in the formal non-agricultural business sector. This was largely due to increases in the following industries: community services, mining and quarrying, manufacturing and business services.

5.3. Total employment increased by 76 000 or 0,8% year-on-year between March 2018 and March 2019. 

5.4.  Cabinet notes this favourable development but remains convinced that there is still a long way to go to improve the performance of all sectors of our economy and create the much needed jobs in our country.  To this end Cabinet commits to work with all sectors of our South African society including the private sector.

6. Tax Season

6.1. The revenue generated from income tax ensures government has the capacity to provide much-needed services and social support to millions of less fortunate communities.

6.2. Cabinet encourages South Africans to prepare their tax submission for the 2018/19 tax season. Appropriate and efficient revenue collection enables government to ensure fiscal sovereignty.

6.3. Taxpayers who are registered for eFiling or use the new South African Revenue Service’s MobiApp can file their income tax returns from 1 July 2019. South Africans who earn less than R500 000 per year and meet certain other criteria, do not need to file tax returns.

7. Crime fighting

7.1. Cabinet has noted with concern the spate of the killing of members from law-enforcement officers. In September 2018, twenty-eight (28) members of the police were reported to have been killed. Since the beginning of 2019, twenty-six (26) police officers have been killed. 

7.2. The most recent cases being that of Sergeant Zephania Dladla, Constable Nomasonto Mhlanga and Constable Nhlamulo Vukeya. Cabinet extends its deepest condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.

7.3. Cabinet condemns in the strongest possible terms these attacks and killings. Police officers risk their lives to protect our communities. We all have to work together with law-enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators of these heinous crimes are arrested and face the full might of the law.

7.4. Cabinet commends the justice system that has resulted in nine perpetrators of these crimes being handed life sentences, in this year alone.

8. Mozambique Border shooting incident

8.1. Cabinet noted that the South African Government has sent a high-level team to Mozambique following a shooting incident in which two Mozambican police officers died on the KwaZulu-Natal border. 

8.2. The team comprises members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and South African Police Service (SAPS), and will meet with their Mozambican counterparts. They are led by SANDF Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant-General Barney Hlatshwayo and SAPS Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sehlahle Masemola.

8.3. The team is on a fact-finding mission into the shooting incident. They are expected to, amongst others, discuss a joint investigation team between Mozambique and South Africa.

8.4. Cabinet request all South Africans to await the conclusion and outcomes of this joint investigation. We remain committed to working with the government of Mozambique as a good neighbour in improving the well-being of all our citizens.

9. International Labour Organisation Conference

9.1. Cabinet welcomes the participation of President Ramaphosa in the 108th (Centenary) Session of the International Labour Conference held between 10 and 21 June 2019. The President formally submitted the report of the Global Commission on the Future of Work, that he co-chaired with the Prime Minister of Sweden, H.E. Stephan Lofven, to the conference.

9.2. The Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr Thulas Nxesi, accompanied the President and also led the tripartite delegation that participated in different committees of the conference and plenary discussions that discussed the report of the International Labour Organisation’s Director-General.

9.3. Important outcomes of the conference included a joint Centenary Declaration of the parties. In addition, the conference adopted a new Convention on Violence and Harassment in the Workplace designed to enhance the protection of vulnerable workers. These outcomes are important in setting international benchmarks and guidelines to raise and defend labour rights and standards.

B. Cabinet decisions   

1. 12th Extraordinary Summit

1.1. Cabinet was briefed on the 12th Extraordinary Summit to launch the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the First Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

1.2. President Ramaphosa is scheduled to lead the South African delegation when the 12th Extraordinary Summit is held on 7 July 2019 in Niamey, Niger. 

1.3. South Africa will take over the Chairship of AU at a seminal moment when the continent will be implementing the AfCFTA, which will make Africa the biggest common market in the world. The AfCFTA will boost intra-Africa trade, reignite industrialisation, and pave the way for the meaningful integration of Africa into global value-chains and the global economy in general.

1.4. South Africa remains committed to the African Agenda, and supports regional economic and political integration. This includes the strengthening of coordination between the AU Commission and the RECs to achieve sustainable development in a peaceful and stable Africa as envisaged in Agenda 2063.

1.5. South Africa is fully committed to the AfCFTA process in view of its strategic importance in the economic integration agenda of the African continent and South Africa’s developmental agenda.

2. 2021 Municipal Elections

2.1. In preparation for the 2021 Municipal Elections, Cabinet approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Municipal Elections, as well as a technical forum for its support.

2.2. The 2021 Municipal Elections will be the fifth such elections since the advent of democracy. The IMC will work with the Independent Electoral Commission and other relevant bodies towards ensuring that the process leading to the local government elections unfolds with ease. 

2.3 Members of the IMC will comprise the following Ministers: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Chairperson); Home Affairs; Justice and Correctional Services; Finance; State Security and Minister in The Presidency.   The Technical Support  team  will be the Directors-General from the same departments. 

C. Upcoming events   

1. Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit

1.1. President Ramaphosa is leading the South African delegation – comprising the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Ebrahim Patel – that will participate in the 2019 G20 Leaders’ Summit.

1.2. President Cyril Ramaphosa will also lead a delegation of officials and South African business executives in a roundtable discussion with leading Japanese business executives. The roundtable will aim to promote awareness of opportunities for trade and investment in South Africa, address the concerns of potential Japanese business partners, and identify and develop potential trade and investment leads.

1.3. The roundtable is being executed in partnership with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a leading American international business foundation, and the Japanese External Trade Organisation (Jetro).

1.4. The roundtable is viewed in tandem with a future event, to take place on the margins of the Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD) to be held from 28 to 30 August 2019 in Yokohama, Japan. Japan is South Africa’s fifth largest export partner and ninth largest import partner.

1.5. South Africa’s participation is guided by the following key pillars: Advancing national interest to attain domestic objectives; Enhancing the African Agenda and promoting Africa’s sustained development; Influencing the global multilateral architecture; and Advancing the agenda of the South through strengthening South-South Cooperation and North-South Dialogue. 

2. Mandela Month

2.1. As we approach the 10th anniversary of Nelson Mandela International Day in July, Cabinet calls on all South Africans to use the month to uphold the legacy of Madiba, under the theme: “Take Action, Inspire change, Make every day a Mandela Day”, by taking collective action against poverty.

2.2. South Africans can participate in active citizenship by joining their communities and various organisations that will undertake initiatives to eradicate hunger and homelessness, build safer communities and ensure that children have access to education.

2.3. Let us all participate in this global initiative named after one of our iconic leaders and build sustainable programmes that last beyond the month of July. Let us take action, inspire change and make every day a Mandela Day

D. Messages    

1. Condolences

1.1.  Cabinet sends heartfelt condolences to all bereaved families and friends who lost loved ones due to road carnages. From the accident on the R81 in Maphalle, Limpopo that saw many young lives lost, to the consistent road carnage being experienced by South Africans across the country. Cabinet appeals to all road users to obey the rules of the road, which requires vigilance and considerate behaviour to other road users.

2. Congratulations

Cabinet commended the following:

2.1. The women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, for flying the flag high in their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance.

2.2.  Mr Botha Msila, a South African sports fan, who has arrived in Egypt in time for the start of the opening of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Mr Msila, who mainly hitch-hiked from Cape Town, was assisted by sports broadcaster, Mr Robert Marawa, to secure a flight from Kenya to Cairo to support Bafana Bafana.

2.3. South African singer and songwriter Ms Sho Madjozi, who won the Best New International Act Award at the 2019 BET Awards in Los Angeles, USA.

2.4. A team of six South African undergraduate students (from the University of Cape Town and the University of the Witwatersrand) who won first prize against 13 teams at the International Supercomputing Conference in Frankfurt, Germany.

The team was under the supervision of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Centre for High Performance Computing, which is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology, and is one of the three pillars of South Africa’s cyberinfrastructure system.

2.5. The Junior Springboks, whose fighting spirit led to them claiming the bronze medal at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

Cabinet wished the following all the best:

2.6.  The men’s national team, Bafana Bafana, in the 2019 African Nations Cup in Egypt.

2.7.  The Proteas national netball team, as they compete in the Netball World Cup taking place in Liverpool, England, from 12 to 21 July 2019. The national netball team currently tops the ranking in Africa and ranks fifth in terms of world rankings. The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, has accompanied the Proteas to both support the team as well as to receive the handover as South Africa prepares to host the 16th Netball World Cup in 2023.

Enquiries: Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Cabinet Spokesperson 
Mobile: 083 501 0139

Cabinet met on Wednesday, 10 July 2019 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

A. Issues in the environment

1. Outcomes from the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit

1.1 Cabinet welcomes the outcomes of the G20 Summit held in Osaka, Japan from 28 to 29 June 2019. President Cyril Ramaphosa held a number of engagements on the sidelines of the summit to strengthen relations with a number of countries.

1.2 He held trilateral meetings with the African Union (AU) Chairperson, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, Chairperson of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, President Macky Sall of Senegal, and also bilateral meetings with Russia, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia, as well as the President of the World Bank, Mr David Malpass.

1.3 President Ramaphosa concluded his Osaka programme by meeting with business during the Japan-South Africa CEO Business Roundtable to further advance the country as an investment destination.

1.4 World leaders at the summit affirmed their commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

2. Working visit to Lesotho

2.1. President Ramaphosa’s recent working visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho continues to build on the strong and cordial relations between our two nations. He was also there as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) facilitator to Lesotho.

2.2. During this visit, the President received an update on the progress of the reform process in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The update will inform his report to the SADC Heads of State and Government taking place in the United Republic of Tanzania in August 2019.

2.3. Cabinet welcomes the signing of an agreement by political parties in Lesotho to establish a statutory National Legislative Reform Authority. The agreement stipulates that a reform authority will be constituted in terms of an Act of Parliament and that the authority will guide the country in effecting constitutional, governance, security and media reforms.

2.4. Cabinet appeals to all the parties to support the resumption of the Parliament that will ensure the adoption of the agreement.

3. Destruction of public property

3.1. Cabinet condemns the recent burning of a primary school in Katlehong, Gauteng by protesters. No measure of grievance justifies the destruction of a public property such as a school, which serves as a critical stepping stone towards building the future of our children.

3.2. Over the past 25 years, government has invested billions of rands in the construction of new schools and upgrading of existing school infrastructure. This year, government has allocated around R30 billion to build new schools and maintain existing infrastructure.

3.3. Cabinet urges communities to take care of their infrastructure, which benefits them. It also calls on community members to work with police to ensure that people who destroy public property are arrested.

4. Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) Report

4.1. Cabinet is concerned about the audit outcomes of municipalities released by the AGSA recently. The unacceptably high levels of poor governance, particularly the management of public funds in a number of municipalities, suggest ineffective and poor execution of service-delivery programmes.

4.2. The Public Audit Amendment Act, 2018 (Act 5 of 2018), gives the AGSA the authority to hold those found responsible for poor financial management accountable and to curb the abuse of state resources, especially in municipalities which have consistently shown no improvement in their respective outcomes.

4.3. Additionally, working through the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and National Treasury, Cabinet endorses the Back to Basics implementation plan which drives capacity-building in municipalities. The plan, amongst others, seeks to build the competency of personnel through training and skills transfer, and the enforcement of minimum compliance standards for municipal managers and senior officials.

4.4. Working with the provincial leadership, Minister Dlamini Zuma will continue to provide the necessary support to municipalities.

5. Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

5.1. Cabinet is pleased that South Africa has successfully hosted its first Digital Economy Summit, held in Johannesburg on 5 July 2019, as a critical milestone in shaping a coherent 4IR plan for the country. President Ramaphosa, future forecaster George Friedman, labour, academia and civil society attended the summit, which stimulated dialogue, understanding and action plans that will position South Africa as a competitive global player.

5.2. Cabinet also welcomes the plans by Google to build a new undersea cable from Portugal to South Africa that will deliver 20 times more network capacity, ensuring faster Internet service. The cable is expected to be completed in 2021. Such interventions will contribute towards making South Africa conducive to potential domestic and international investors.

6. Energy

6.1. Cabinet welcomes Eskom’s announcement that Unit 3 of the Medupi Power Station near Lephalale in Limpopo has reached commercial operation and has been synchronised into the national grid.

6.2. This will provide an additional capacity of 796 megawatts. The World Bank has also expressed confidence in government’s efforts to support Eskom.

6.3. While we continue to support Eskom, Cabinet calls on South Africans to continue to use electricity efficiently, particularly between 17:00 and 21:00, when energy demand from households is at its highest in the country.

7. Crime

7.1. Cabinet expressed shock and dismay following the murder of at least  13 people in Phillippi, in Cape Town, at the weekend. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the victims, who included six women between the ages of 18 and 26.

7.2. Cabinet has been made aware of action being taken to strengthen safety and security in that area, and strongly appeals to members of the public with information that could lead to the arrest of these perpetrators, to contact their nearest police station.

8. Outbreak of African swine fever

8.1. Cabinet applauds the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development for responding swiftly to the outbreak of swine fever reported in North West, Gauteng, Free State and Mpumalanga. This has helped to contain the spread of the disease. Whilst the African swine fever does not affect humans, any meat and products from affected pigs can be a source of infection to other pigs. 

8.2. Cabinet urges all farmers in the affected areas to remain vigilant and report any symptoms of the disease amongst their animals.

9. Safety in healthcare institutions

9.1. Cabinet has expressed the importance of the safety of healthcare workers and patients. This follows the recent reported incidences of attacks of medical emergency service workers when they responded to an emergency call. From January 2019, a total of 10 incidences of such attacks have been reported, the most recent being from Cosmo City Extension 2 in Johannesburg. Cabinet calls on law-enforcement agencies working with the public health institutions to strengthen safety and security at these facilities and also in the transportation of patients. 

9.2. Cabinet also urges all healthcare workers to always uphold their professional standards towards patients in their care.

10. Gauteng freeway electronic tolling (e-tolling)

10.1. President Ramaphosa has mandated Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and Gauteng Premier David Makhura to find a solution to the e-tolling on Gauteng freeways.

10.2. The consultations within government over the coming weeks are expected to produce workable outcomes, which will be submitted to Cabinet by the end of August 2019.

10.3. A united response across government is required on issues such as e-tolling to ensure South Africans have confidence in the work of government.

11. Budget votes

11.1. During July 2019, departments are tabling their budget votes, which provide concrete financial plans on the commitments highlighted by President Ramaphosa in his first State of the Nation Address of the sixth democratic administration.

11.2. The budget votes provide a detailed account of departments’ respective plans for the year, which give effect to the 2019-2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework.

11.3. Cabinet encourages citizens to engage with the budget votes and hold departments to account. Budget votes ensure that public funds are spent according to government’s priorities and in ways that will most benefit South Africans.

B. Cabinet decisions

1.1. Cabinet approved the submission of the country’s Voluntary National Review Report to the United Nations (UN). South Africa is amongst the hundred and ninety-three  (193) UN member states that officially adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2017, South Africa became one of the 51 countries that volunteered to submit their progress report to the UN.

1.2. South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), AU’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s SDGs all mutually reinforce the developmental agenda of South Africa and the African continent.

1.3. The progress report was compiled in consultation with a number of stakeholders, including civil-society organisations, private sector and the academia. The report further highlights areas that remain a challenge. Once it has been submitted, it will be accessible through the UN website (https://www.un.org/en/).

C. Bills

1.1. Cabinet approved the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill of 2018 for tabling in Parliament. In 2018, Cabinet approved that the Bill be released for public consultation over a three-month period, from June to September 2018. The inputs received from this process have been incorporated into this latest version, which will be subjected to another rigorous parliamentary process.

1.2. The Bill will give effect to the NDP that seeks to provide for universal quality healthcare services to all South Africans, irrespective of their socio-economic background. It will be based on values of justice, fairness and social solidarity. It will address the current health system that serves only 16% of South Africans whilst excluding the overwhelming majority.

1.3. The NHI Bill provides for the establishment of the NHI Fund as a public entity reporting to the Minister of Health. It will be established as an autonomous schedule 3A under the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999).

1.4. Once the Bill has been passed, the existing draft implementation plan will be amended accordingly to give effect to the transitional arrangement of rolling out the NHI in phases. The transition period will also allow for the repeal of certain pieces of legislation to enable alignment and coherence.

1.5. The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, will hold a separate media briefing to unpack the Bill.

D. Upcoming events

1.1. President Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 23 July 2019 lead the government delegation to the two-day “25 Years of Democracy – The Next 25 Years” Conference at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The President will deliver an opening address to the conference, which is a partnership between the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, the UJ and The Presidency.

1.2. This conference will reflect on 25 Years of Democracy and offer perspectives on the next 25 years in South Africa’s development trajectory. It will be attended by leading academics, government leaders and representatives of social partners – business, labour, community and youth, including the student community.

E. Messages

1. Condolences

Cabinet expressed condolences to the family and friends of:

1.1. Multi-award winning veteran artist, Mr David Koloane. The widely acclaimed painter was a founding member of the Bag Factory (previously the Fordsburg Artists’ Studios), which made it possible for black and white artists to work together on a professional level, despite the apartheid legislation.

1.2. Mama Vivian Magdalene Sarah Daniels. She was a great stalwart and role model who served the nation in the fight against apartheid. Her selfless activism saw her legacy live on in the communities she contributed to around Cape Town.

1.3. Former ambassador, Dr Khorshed Ginwala, who was one of democratic South Africa’s first women ambassadors and a pioneer in the fight for freedom.

1.4. Mr Mandla Maseko, who was set to be the first black African in space. In 2014, Mr Maseko beat one million competitors to become one of the 23 people to get a seat on a sponsored Axe Apollo Space Academy.

1.5. Veteran actress Mama Nomhle Nkonyeni, who passed on at the age of 77. President Ramaphosa recently awarded her the National Order of Ikhamanga in recognition of her work as an artist. Aggrey Road in New Brighton in the Eastern Cape, where she grew up, was renamed in her honour. She acted in shows such as Mzansi, Tsha Tsha, Igazi and the 2007 mini-series, Society.

1.6. Mama Susan Manana Matona – the mother of the Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Mr Tseliso Matona – who passed away at age 90.

1.7. Former Springbok wing James Small, who died at the age of 50. He was also part of the Springbok team that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

1.8. Mama Betty Philile Khumalo-Zulu, who is the mother-in-law to the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.

1.9. The victims of the heavy monsoon rains in India, including the Indian Government. Cabinet also wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

2. Congratulations

Cabinet joined the rest of South Africa in congratulating:

2.1. Our indomitable athlete Caster Semenya for her victory in the 800m at the Prefontaine Classic, in California, USA. Semenya, who is the two-time Olympic champion, remains unbeaten in the 800m since September 2015.

2.2. Bafana Bafana for advancing to the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations in Egypt and wished them luck against Nigeria.

2.3. Amy Claire King, who was crowned the World Masters Singles champion at the prestigious World 8 Ball Pool Championships in Blackpool in the United Kingdom.

2.4. Tennis star Kgothatso Montjane, the first black South African woman debutante at Wimbledon. She defeated Katharina Kruger of Germany in the quarterfinals of the ladies wheelchair singles. Montjane is ranked No 8 in the world.

2.5. Kevin Anderson for reaching the men’s singles third round and Raven Klaasen for reaching the men’s doubles semi-finals.

2.6. The group of 20 South African teenagers who made aviation history by building their own four-seater aircraft. The team built the aircraft in two weeks under the guidance of The Airplane Factory, U-Dream mentors and five team leaders from Denel Aviation. The four-seater Sling 4 plane landed in Namibia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Tanzania and Uganda during the 12 000km trip to Egypt, after it jetted off from Cape Town last month.

 3. Appointments

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and the relevant clearance.

3.1. Interim Board of Directors at the Public Investment Corporation with effect from 12 July 2019 to 31 July 2020. The names were released yesterday by National Treasury.

Enquiries:
Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Cabinet Spokesperson
Cell: 083 501 0139

Cabinet met on Wednesday, 24 July 2019 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

A. Issues in the environment  

1. Economic transformation and job creation

Cabinet welcomes the increased interest by prospective and current investors to consider South Africa as their preferred investment destination. Recent actual and possible transactions illustrate this well, and include transactions in the auto sector (Ford), chemical value chain (BFG Rail) and electrical industrial components (Aberdare) as well as potential investments such as in agro-processing (PepsiCo) this latter one subject to shareholder and regulatory processes.

1.2. PepsiCo’s R25 billion offer to acquire Pioneer Foods has been hailed as a clear vote of confidence in the South African economy. 

1.3. The automaker, Ford announced that its expansion plans will create 1200 jobs, based on implementing a R3 billion investment commitment. The company’s Silverton plant has installed capacity to produce up to 168 000 Rangers and Everests annually – an increase of 44 000 vehicles prior to the expansion

1.4.  Furthermore, the R50 million investment by manufacturing company BFG Rail into an advanced manufacturing facility in Gauteng will result in a state of the art composite manufacturing facility which boasts improved engineering processes using advanced technologies

1.5.  In Nelson Mandela Bay, Abedare Cables announced an expansion of its capacity through opening a High-Voltage Power Cable Plant, with an investment of R135 million and create 58 jobs in addition to the 429 jobs at the company’s current operations in the area.

1.6.  Investments in new plant, equipment and in expanded production creates new jobs and grow the GDP. The sectors where new production will take place are all within the sectors identified by President Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address. South Africa offers a unique combination of highly developed economic infrastructure, a vibrant emerging market economy and access to the fast growing African continent market. South Africa is also a frontier for new sectors of investments such as the green economy, oil and gas shipbuilding and the oceans economy.  

2. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) Global Report

2.1. Cabinet is encouraged by the latest UNAIDS Global Report, which was recently launched in South Africa. According to the report, South Africa has successfully reduced new HIV infections by more than 40% and AIDS-related deaths by around 40% since 2010. The report confirms our HIV and AIDS interventions strategies reducing new infections and managing patients already living with the disease are yielding positive results

2.2. Cabinet encourages all South Africans to live a healthy lifestyle to reduce new  infections.

3. Fighting crime 

3.1. Cabinet reaffirms its conviction and commitment to create a safer and secure environment within our communities. With government and communities working together, we can eradicate the scourge of crime, and create a safe and peaceful environment within our communities that is conducive for investments.

3.2. Various operations undertaken recently by law-enforcement agencies across the country resulted in the arrest of a number of suspects and the recovery of illicit drugs. South African National Defence Force soldiers have also been deployed in some crime hotspots to support members of the South African Police Service in their concerted effort to bring gang violence and drug trafficking under control.   

3.3. Cabinet urges members of the community to remain vigilant and report all acts of crime to the police, irrespective of who is involved.

B. Cabinet decisions   

1. Policy and Policy Direction for the Licensing of the High Demand Spectrum

1.1. Cabinet approved the Policy and Policy Direction for the Licensing of the High Demand Spectrum after extensive consultations with the sector and the public.  The Policy and Policy Direction sets a framework for the transformation of the sector by enabling entrance of new players in this important market while at the same time encouraging investments and innovation. The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, will in the next few days issue the Cabinet approved final policy and brief the media.

2. Presidential Expert Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture Report

2.1. Cabinet received the final report from the Presidential Expert Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture. President Ramaphosa appointed the panel in September 2018 to provide a unified policy perspective on land reforms. The report makes findings on the current status quo and makes recommendations that will assist in accelerating the work of government in redressing the historical land distribution imbalances.

2.2. Cabinet directed that all Ministers, through their respective departments, must study the report and its proposed recommendations and revert to Cabinet within two months. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform chaired by Deputy President David Mabuza will oversee this process.

2.3. Cabinet extends its gratitude for the work done by the panel chaired by Dr Vuyokazi Mahlati and approved that the report be made accessible to the public. 

2.4. The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza, together with the panel, will hold a separate media briefing to unpack the contents of the report. The media briefing will take place on Sunday 28th July 2019 at 10am at GCIS Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre in Hatfield with video link to Cape Town GCIS Imbizo Centre 

C. Bills

1. Recognition of Customary Marriages Amendment Bill of 2019

1.1. Cabinet approved the submission of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Amendment Bill of 2019 to Parliament. 

1.2. The Bill brings Section 7(1) and (2) of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act (RCMA), 1998 (Act 120 of 1998) in line with the judgements of the Constitutional Court, which declared the sections constitutionally invalid. The sections discriminated unfairly against women in customary marriages. 

1.3. The Bill provides for the equal treatment of women in pre-Act monogamous and polygamous customary marriages. The amendments eliminate the gender-based discrimination in polygamous marriages entered into before the commencement of the RCMA of 1998. Spouses will now have joint and equal proprietary rights over marital property.

D. Upcoming events  

1. Presidential Health Compact

1.1. President Ramaphosa will officiate at the signing ceremony of the Presidential Health Compact at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, City of Tshwane, on Thursday, 25 July 2019. The Health Compact is an outcome of the Presidential Health Summit that was held in October 2018. The ceremony marks a milestone in the collective approach to achieve a sustainable quality health system.  

2. First High-Level Annual Policy Dialogue Forum on Secondary Education in Africa

2.1. The Department of Basic Education will co-host the First High-Level Annual Policy Dialogue Forum on Secondary Education in Africa: Preparing Youth for the Future of Work, with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa.  

2.2. It will be held from 29 to 30 July 2019 at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. The forum will bring together Ministers responsible for education, youth and labour from across the African continent, academics; policy-makers; high-level representatives from development cooperation partners; the private sector; civil society; teachers and parents associations; youth organisations and the media. 

2.3. Deliberations will focus on the design and implementation of innovative models required in secondary education in Africa to better equip teachers and prepare students for the future of work. Cabinet continues to appreciate our participation in such enriching dialogues.

3. Women’s Month 

3.1. The upcoming National Women’s Day celebration in Vryburg, Ruth Mompati District in North West on Friday, 9 August 2019, will be commemorated under the theme: “25 Years of Democracy: Growing South Africa Together for Women’s Emancipation”.

3.2. The celebration pays tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to  the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956  in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. This protest became a turning point in our struggle for freedom and a democratic society. 

3.3. Despite our remarkable achievement in advancing the emancipation of women in our society, the scourge of violence and abuse of women in our nation persists. The hefty sentences handed down in Gauteng sexual violence cases show that perpetrators of sexual crimes and other related offences will not escape the course of justice.

3.4. Cabinet calls on all sectors of society to oppose any violence, and make a collective effort to reduce the number of sexual offences and attacks on women and children towards the total eradication of these vices.

E. Messages 

1. Condolences

1.1. Cabinet mourns the loss of veteran freedom fighter Ntate Isaac Lesibe ‘Bra Ike’ Maphoto, who passed on at the age of 88. President Ramaphosa declared a Special Official Funeral for Bra Ike, who left South Africa in 1961 and underwent military and political training in Beirut and the former Soviet Union between 1961 and 1963 before joining the senior Luthuli Detachment of Umkhonto we Sizwe. In 2006, then President Thabo Mbeki conferred the National Order of Luthuli in Silver on Bra Ike, for his contribution to the struggle for freedom and democracy. 

1.2. Cabinet shares the national outpouring of grief with the family, friends and fans of award-winning singer and songwriter Jonathan ‘Johnny’ Clegg, who used his music to promote a non-racial society. He will be remembered for his commitment to nation-building, social cohesion and non-racialism. He was a recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, for his excellent contribution in the field of music and bridging African traditional music with other forms of music.

2. Congratulations

Cabinet congratulates:

2.1.  The Proteas national netball team, for their outstanding performance and flying the South African Flag high by reaching the semifinals of the World Cup in Liverpool. Their improvement from position five to four in world rankings is highly commended. Also, congratulate Ms Karla Pretorius for being selected and named as the World Cup 2019 Player of the tournament.

2.2. South African athletes for shining at the International Association of Athletics Federations Diamond League in London. National record holder Akani Simbine was in superb form in the men's 100m event, when he won the final in a season's best of 9.93m. In the men's long jump, Luvo Manyonga won the men's long jump with a season's best of 8.37m, with compatriot Ruswahl Samaai holding on for third position with a leap of 8.11m.

2.3. Ndlovu Youth Choir, whose high-energy star-studded performance has seen them progress to the next round of the America's Got Talent live shows.

2.4. Our national rugby team, the Springboks, who won 35-17 over Australia during the 2019 Rugby Championship. The tournament is an important sporting event that involves countries like New Zealand, Australia and Argentina. We wish them well as they continue in the tournament.

2.5. TeamSA, who helped to rewrite African history at the 30th edition of the International University Sports Federation in Napoli, Italy. Africa won a total of 26 medals collectively. Of South Africa’s 18 medals, six of them were gold, eight silver and four bronze.

F. Appointments   

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and the relevant clearance.

1.    Interim directors to the Small Enterprise Finance Agency Board (SEFA):

(a) Ms Mphokolo Makara,
(b) Adv Nomathemba Mlonzi,
(c) Ms Delicate Mabuza,
(d) Mr Martin Mahosi,
(e) Mr Justice Kganyago;,
(f) Mr Maurice Radebe, and
(g) Ms Nonkululeko Dlamini – (reappointment). 

Enquiries: Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Cabinet Spokesperson 
Mobile: 083 501 0139

Cabinet met on Wednesday, 7 August 2019 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria 

A. National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC)  commitments

1.1. Cabinet remains concerned about the high levels of unemployment and the low economic growth figures in our country. The results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2019 released by Statistics South Africa, indicate that the official unemployment rate increased by 1,4 percentage points to 29,0% compared to the first quarter of 2019.

1.2. Cabinet remains committed to addressing structural challenges that continue to affect the performance of our economy and its ability to respond to developmental challenges.

1.3. The rapid response agreement signed by all the parties in NEDLAC commits to meet the stakeholders on a monthly basis to track the seventy-seven (77) Job Summit commitments. Monthly meetings will be chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa with effect from September 2019.

1.4. The commitments by all stakeholders – which include government, labour, business, civil-society organisations – target programmes to create jobs, mechanisms to unblock barriers to effect implementation, as well as agreements on job retention and ways to prevent job losses. Also included in the commitments are specific sector targeting initiatives to grow the economy.

2. South Africa-Japan Collaboration

2.1. Cabinet welcomes the collaboration initiative between South Africa and Japan to combat plastic pollution by supporting the transitioning of the local plastic industry from conventional plastics to more environmentally sustainable alternatives.

3.  18th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum

3.1. South Africa recently participated in the 18th AGOA Forum held in Côte d'Ivoire under the theme: “AGOA and the Future: Developing a New Trade Paradigm to Guide United States (US)-Africa Trade and Investment”.

3.2. AGOA is a unilateral US trade preference programme that provides duty-free quota-free treatment for over 6 400 tariff lines from 40 AGOA-eligible sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa, into the US market.

3.3. South Africa’s constructive and positive discussions with the US Trade Representative provides potential access to the US market and American investment in our economy, which are important ways of addressing job creation and the elimination of poverty. 

4. Attacks on South African Police Service (SAPS) members 

4.1. The recent attacks on members of the SAPS in the line of duty in the City of Johannesburg should not be tolerated. Cabinet condemns the attacks in the strongest possible terms and have instructed our police and other law-enforcement agencies to pursue the suspects without any fear or favour.

4.2. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 directs that the law-enforcement agencies, inclusive of our police service, must prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure its inhabitants and their respective properties and uphold and enforce the law.

4.3. Any attack on our law-enforcement officers is an attack on our state and its sovereignty, such attacks should not go unpunished. We call on all communities to support our government agencies, particularly those enforcing our laws and also unite against this banditry actions that seek to attack police officers.

4.4. Cabinet calls on the law-enforcement agencies to continue to enforce the law and act decisively to those who violate the laws of our country. Municipal by-laws must at all times be adhered to and we call on all our municipalities to enforce our municipal by-laws. We remain a law-abiding country that will continue to ensure peace, stability and prosperity for its citizens.

4.5. Cabinet expects all who live or work in South Africa to collaborate with our law-enforcement agencies to combat criminal and illegal activities.

4.6. Cabinet reassures the nation that the country’s law-enforcement agencies will act decisively and arrest people who perpetrate lawlessness and violence.   

5. Destruction of public property

5.1. Cabinet welcomes the end of the recent strike in the City of Tshwane. However, it is highly regrettable that bus drivers blocked major routes into the city with municipal buses, and some of the strikers vandalised infrastructure and reportedly intimidated members of the public.

5.2. Cabinet is concerned about the growing incidents of destruction of public property that accompany protest and strike action in the country. The right to protest is protected and enshrined in the Constitution, and there are many peaceful ways to address public grievances without destroying public services and property. Restoring damaged infrastructure has huge financial and social implications, which negatively impact on citizens who use such amenities daily.

6. Silicosis settlement

6.1. Cabinet noted the R5-billion historic settlement approved by the Gauteng High Court, which sends a strong message to mining companies to prioritise the safety of workers to prevent diseases that could potentially occur long after their retirement.

6.2. The High Court judgement will result in thousands of former mineworkers being compensated for the pain and suffering they endured after contracting diseases linked to prolonged periods working in the gold mines.

6.3. Cabinet also commended the legal teams, including the legal aid, which represented various parties in the lengthy case that settled on compensating the former mineworkers or their eligible heirs, on the part of mine workers who have departed, after they suffered from silicosis or certain types of tuberculosis contracted at certain gold mines after 12 March 1965.

6.4. Six gold mining companies – African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Harmony and Sibanye-Stillwaters – along with the claimants’ attorneys, will set up the Tshiamiso Trust, which will ensure qualifying miners or their eligible heirs receive the compensation.

7. Mozambique Accord

7.1. Cabinet welcomes the signing of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Mozambique on Tuesday, 6 August 2019, as a sign of solidarity with the people of Mozambique, and in support of peace and stability in the country.

7.2. The agreement follows the successful political dialogue between the Government of Mozambique and the Mozambican National Resistance Movement, which culminated in the signing of an agreement on definitive cessation of military hostilities on 1 August 2019.

7.3.  South Africa and Mozambique share cordial and fraternal bilateral, political, economic and social relations underpinned by strong historical ties dating back from the years of the liberation struggle. President Ramaphosa and many other Heads of State from SADC attended the signing ceremony.

8. Caster Semenya

8.1. Cabinet is disappointed that our star athlete, Caster Semenya, will not be allowed to defend her world 800m title at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar. This follows a ruling by a Swiss court that supported the International Association of Athletics Federation rule that would require her to take testosterone-reducing medication.

8.2. Cabinet fully supports Ms Semenya as she appeals and fights for her fundamental human rights. Like all other athletes, she is entitled to compete without being obliged to alter her body by any medical means.

9. National Orders

9.1. Cabinet calls on South Africans to nominate persons they deem deserving of being bestowed with the country’s highest honours, the National Orders.

9.2. These awards honour South Africans and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed to the achievement of a free, united, non-racial, non-sexist, prosperous and democratic South Africa in various ways.

9.3. The 2020 National Orders nominations will close on 31 August 2019 and the awards ceremony will take place in April 2020. Nominations forms are available on The Presidency website: www.thepresidency.gov.za. Members of the public are urged to attach a motivation on the nominated person. 

B.   Key Decisions

1.1 Ebola virus disease outbreak

1.1. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor and the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, briefed Cabinet on the outbreak, as well as the death caused by Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the high risks posed to the nearby countries.

1.2. The disease is transmitted from person to person through direct contact with blood and body fluids of persons with the disease. According to the World Health Organisation, South Africa is classified as one of the low-risk countries in Africa.

1.3. Cabinet was also briefed on the state of readiness to deal with cases of Ebola that may arise in our country. Three separate risk assessments undertaken have confirmed the low risk Ebola profile status of South Africa. Critical health contingency measures have been implemented in our country including the designation of identified hospitals in all our provinces in the eventuality of us having to deal with Ebola. Apart from hospitals identified, the contingency measures include screening facilities in the ports of entry, communication and coordination as well as designated laboratories.

1.4. Cabinet endorsed the contingency measures that have been put in place to ensure the country respond in the event the disease is picked up. We nonetheless want to assure the country that South Africa remains a low Ebola risk country. 

C. Upcoming Events

1. National Women’s Day

1.1. On Friday, 9 August, the country will commemorate National Women’s Day, which symbolises the struggle for a gender-based violence free, non-racial and non-sexist country, under the theme: “25 Years of Democracy: Growing South Africa for Women’s Emancipation”.

1.2. President Ramaphosa is scheduled to give a keynote address at the Vryburg Showgrounds, in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, North West.

1.3. Women’s Month has already seen the build-up of activations which target the empowerment and protection of women, including President Ramaphosa's appointment of members to the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE). The CGE is a statutory body established to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality.

1.4. Women have an important role to play in building the country’s economy, creating jobs and uplifting families out of poverty. Women empowerment is key to breaking the cycle of abuse that is tormenting our South African society.  Cabinet calls on all stakeholders to prioritise the upliftment of women and join in the activities celebrating national Women’s day tomorrow.

2. Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit

2.1.  President Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s delegation to participate in the 39th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the SADC to be held in Tanzania on 17 and 18 August 2019.

2.2. During the summit, Tanzanian President John Magufuli will take over the chairpersonship of SADC from his Namibian counterpart, President Hage Geingob.

2.3. The SADC Summit is also expected to deliberate on wide-ranging issues, including implementation of the region's operational plans and priority programmes such as industrialisation, trade, infrastructure development, establishment of a regional parliament, and consolidation of peace and security in the region.

D. Messages

1. Condolences

Cabinet sent condolences to the:

1.1. people of the Republic of Tunisia following the passing of President Beji Caid Essebsi.

1.2. family and friends of Toni Morrison, author and Nobel Prize laureate, who passed on at the age of 88. The acclaimed author chronicled the African-American experience in fictions over five decades, in novels including Beloved and The Bluest Eye.

1.3. people of India following the death of veteran Indian politician Sushma Swaraj, 67, in New Delhi. Swaraj was the country's Foreign Minister from 2014 to 2019.  She was the second woman to hold the office in India's history.

2. Congratulations and Well Wishes

Cabinet:

2.1. commends the group of 45 Working on Fire crew and their senior managers, who spent almost 30 days fighting fires at the Province of Alberta in Western Canada. The team had been deployed to assist in combating the huge Chuckegg Creek wildfire that burnt over 350 000 hectares since May 2019, following a request by the Canadian Inter-Agency Forest Fire Centre.

2.2. congratulates our swimmers who have done the nation proud at the FINA World Championships 2019 in South Korea. Zane Waddell claimed gold in the 50m backstroke, Chad le Clos claimed two bronzes in the 100m and 200m butterfly, and Tatjana Schoenmaker claimed silver in the 200m breaststroke.

2.3. wishes the South African Under-18 baseball team well when they fly our flag high at the World Cup tournament in South Korea from 30 August to 8 September 2019.

2.4. congratulates Khanyisile Mthetwa, the talented flautist, who is the first African to be selected as the recipient of the (2019) Myrna Brown International Scholarship, which is awarded by the National Flute Association of America.

Enquiries: 
Ms Phumla Williams 
Acting Cabinet Spokesperson 
Cell: 083 501 0139

Cabinet met on Wednesday, 21 August 2019 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town

Issues in the environment

1. National Health Insurance (NHI)

1.1 Cabinet calls on members of the public to engage with the NHI Bill, which is now before Parliament. The parliamentary process will afford the public another opportunity to engage with this Bill.

1.2 Once it is passed into law, the Bill will give effect to universal access to healthcare to all citizens in our country, irrespective of their socio-economic background. This right is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996.

1.3 Cabinet remains confident that the NHI will be implemented in a phased and responsible manner. An implementation plan will be developed and published once the Bill is passed into law. 

2. State Visit to Tanzania and SADC Summit

2.1 Cabinet has received a report on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to the United Republic of Tanzania, which also included a business delegation to advance intra Africa trade and investment. As part of the outreach programme, the President also visited Morogoro, which hosted South African freedom fighters. He laid a wreath at Mazimbu Tower in honour and memory of all South Africans who died in exile.

2.2 President Ramaphosa also led the South African delegation to the 39th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ordinary Summit of Heads of State, where his Tanzanian counterpart, President John Pombe Magufuli, assumed the Chairpersonship of the SADC.

2.3 In his capacity as the SADC Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, President Ramaphosa presented a report on developments in the facilitation process during the SADC Troika Summit of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation held on Friday, 16 August 2019.

3. 28th BASIC Meeting

3.1 Cabinet has acknowledged the 28th Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) Climate Change meeting that took place in Brazil from 14 to 16 August 2019.

3.2 Cabinet also welcomed the ambitious climate change action undertaken by BASIC countries in support of international agreements in the pre- and post-2020 period, notwithstanding the multiple socio-economic challenges these countries are faced with. 

3.3 Cabinet supported the call by the BASIC countries for developed countries to provide adequate finance, technology transfer and capacity-building to facilitate the effective implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement in a manner that does not increase the indebtedness of developing countries.

B. Cabinet decisions

1. District Based Service Delivery Model

1.1 Cabinet approved the new District Based Service Delivery Model, as an important innovation in the implementation of service-delivery programmes. The model, which currently focuses on forty-four (44) districts and eight metros, will ensure coherence and integration in planning, budgeting and implementation of service delivery projects in all districts by all three spheres of government – national, provincial and local.

1.2 The model is anchored on the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 (Act 13 of 2005), which provides for a framework for a coordinated and integrated alignment of developmental priorities, and objectives between the three spheres of government. It is also meant to enhance other alignment initiatives like integrated development plans with a clear focus of implementing one plan in each district across all spheres of government.

1.3 President Ramaphosa will be the champion of the model, supported by Deputy President David Mabuza and the entire executive. Provincial Premiers and their Executive and local and district Mayors, together with their EXCO, will be part of the implementation of this district-based service delivery model. 

2. President’s Coordinating Council (PCC)

2.1 President Ramaphosa convened the PCC, which was the first in this Sixth Administration, on Tuesday, 20 August. The District Based Service Delivery Model was presented to the PCC and accepted by all Provincial Premiers.  

2.2 The meeting also agreed on the district prototyped projects to be visited by the President, which will include OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape; Waterberg District in Limpopo and Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

2.3 The three prototyped projects to be visited include a rural district, a mining district and an urban metro. Whilst these will be the starting blocks on the district-based delivery model, the remaining 42 districts and seven metros will also be visited by President Ramaphosa and his government together with the provincial government leadership in the course of this sixth Administration.

2.4 The meeting also received presentation and discussed alignment of the nine Provincial Growth Development strategies to government’s Medium Term Strategic Framework 2019 – 2024.

3. India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Fund Agreement

3.1 Cabinet approved for the submission of the IBSA Fund for the Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger (IBSA Fund Agreement) to Parliament for ratification. The agreement is between the Government of the Republic of India, the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Government of the Republic of South Africa. 

3.2 The IBSA Fund was created in 2004 to pioneer impact-driven and people-centred efforts for the promotion of South-South Cooperation.

3.3 The fund has enabled South Africa to contribute meaningfully and substantively towards international efforts to alleviate extreme poverty and hunger in developing countries. It has also contributed successfully in promoting all the 17 SDGs in approximately twenty-one (21) partner countries.

4. 4th Ministerial Meeting of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC)

41. Cabinet approved the hosting of the preparatory meeting of experts for the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the ACIRC Volunteer Nations from 30 August to 3 September 2019.

4.2 This supports and contributes to government’s priorities in promoting continental and regional peace and stability, and ensuring that African Union (AU) decisions related to harmonisation of the ACIRC Force and African Standby Force (ASF) activities are achieved. This will further ensure that the African Peace and Security Architecture is harmonised and operationalised.

4.3 South Africa and 12 other Volunteer Nations are part of ACIRC that was established in 2013 as an interim arrangement until the operationalisation of the ASF.

C. Bills

1. Housing Consumer Protection Bill of 2019

1.1 Cabinet approved for the publication of the Housing Consumer Protection Bill of 2019, in the Government Gazette for public comments.

1.2 The Bill repeals the current Housing Consumer Protection Measures Act, 1998 (Act 95 of 1998). This new legal framework will regulate homebuilders and developers; expand the protection to housing consumers; introduces effective enforcement tools and prescribes appropriate penalties/sanctions to deter non-compliance by homebuilders.

1.3 The Bill also creates an enabling environment for new entrants into the homebuilding industry by introducing contractual provisions that ensure their sustainability in the market.

1.4 Subsidy and social housing projects now fall within the ambit of the Bill, to ensure the protection of consumers in that segment of the housing market.

D. Upcoming events

1. TICAD VII Summit

1.1 President Ramaphosa will attend the 7th Summit of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VII) in Japan on 29 and 30 August 2019. The theme of the summit, “Advancing Africa’s Development through Technology, Innovation and People”, is aligned with the AU Agenda 2063 and continental priorities for integration.

1.2 This year’s TICAD VII Summit will discuss, amongst others, three overarching priorities: (i) accelerating economic transformation and improving business environment through innovation and private sector engagement; (ii) deepening sustainable and resilient society; and (iii) strengthening peace and stability.

1.3 Japan’s cooperation on regional and international issues is important to advancing the African Agenda and realising the principles of South-South Cooperation.

2. Group of Seven (G7) Summit

2.1 President Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the G7 Summit in France from 24 to 26 August 2019, following South Africa’s invitation to attend as a key partner.

2.2 The G7 is a forum of the seven countries with the world's most industrialized and developed economies – France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada – whose government leaders meet annually to discuss important global economic, political, social and security issues. The upcoming G7 Summit will focus on fighting inequality, promoting gender equality, access to education and high-quality health services.

2.3 South Africa’s participation in the 2019 G7 Summit is guided by four strategic foreign policy pillars, (i) advancing national interest to attain domestic objectives; (ii) enhancing the African Agenda and promoting Africa’s sustainable development support; (iii) influencing a reformed global multilateral architecture; and (iv) advancing the agenda of the South by strengthening South-South Cooperation and North-South Dialogue.

3. World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa

3.1 The 28th World Economic Forum on Africa will take place in Cape Town from 4  to 6 September 2019 under the theme: “Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Futures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. The forum aims to shape regional and industry agendas for the year ahead.

3.2 The programme will focus on how to scale up the transformation of regional architecture related to smart institutions, investment, integration, industry and innovation to advance the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

3.3 The presence of World Economic Leaders and Heads of State in our country presents a rare opportunity for South Africa to promote itself and advance our key priority of growing our economy.

4. 42nd General Assembly of the ISO

4.1 The South African Bureau of Standards in Cape Town will host the 42nd General Assembly of the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) from 16 to 20 September 2019.

4.2 The ISO brings together experts to share their knowledge and develop voluntary consensus-based and market-relevant international standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.

The 2019 ISO programme will establish strategies to deal with the challenges of climate change, the digital economy, economic growth and multilateral trade.

5. Integrated Government Public Service Month (PSM) in September

5.1 The upcoming programme for the PSM in September is a service delivery improvement programme which forms part of the Batho Pele (People First) Revitalisation Programme that promotes a professional public service culture of continued and incremental improvement in all areas of public service delivery.

5.2 The 2019 PSM Programme will be held under the theme: “Khawuleza”: Taking Services to the People: Batho Pele “We Belong, We Care, We Serve”. This gives momentum to President Ramaphosa’s call made in his 2019 State of the Nation Address for public servants to live up to the Batho Pele values and principles by putting people first.

5.3 The suite for the 2019 PSM Programme includes:

• Tourism Month – under the theme: “Tourism and Jobs – a better future for all”. Tourism is one of the sectors that has been creating jobs. Cabinet encourages South Africans to take a Sho’t Left and promote tourism in our nation, by taking advantage of the annual South African National Parks (SANParks) Week from 8 to 15 September 2019, where our national parks will be open to the public for free. South Africa is a home to 10 World Heritage Sites and an area of global niche tourism.
• Heritage Month – Heritage opens further opportunities for jobs and skills, providing platforms for performers, crafters and subsidiary industries. There is also a need to continue in our efforts to preserve, revitalise and promote indigenous languages, as part of protecting our heritage.
• Police Safety Month – initiated by the National Commemoration Day on 1 September, in remembrance of our heroes and heroines who died in the line of duty.

This integrated programme gives effect to the National Development Plan which highlights the need for well-run and effectively coordinated state institutions with skilled public servants who are committed to the public good and capable of delivering consistently high-quality services, while prioritising the nation’s developmental objectives

E. Messages

1. Condolences

Cabinet sent condolences to the:

• government and people of Tanzania after a fuel tanker explosion tragically killed more than 90 people and also wished those injured a speedy recovery.
• family and friends of South African artist, designer and businesswoman, Ms Carrol Boyes (65), who passed on Wednesday, 14 August 2019.

2. Congratulations and well wishes

Cabinet:

• wishes Justice Edwin Cameron well following his retirement after 25 years as a judge. Judge Cameron, who was appointed to the Constitutional Court in 2008, worked as a human rights lawyer during apartheid, defended those who fought against apartheid and fought for gay and lesbian equality. Cabinet commends his lifelong advocacy for human rights, as well as his fight for universal access to antiretrovirals.
  • wishes iconic musician, Mr Caiphus Semenya, a blessed 80th birthday. Mr Semenya has contributed to the South African national songbook with classics such as Matswale, Angelina, Ziphi’nkomo, as well as the powerful collaborations like Ndiphendule with his wife, Mama Letta Mbulu. He has worked with international music producers, and received 37 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won nine. He also received an Emmy Award for his role in creating the Roots soundtrack. He also contributed to the score to Disney’s The Lion King.
  • wishes the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Silas Ramaite (SC) well, following approval by President Ramaphosa for him to take early retirement and vacate office in terms of Section 12 (8)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act, 1998 (Act 32 of 1998). Cabinet extends its appreciation for the contribution Advocate Ramaite made in the NPA and to the administration of justice broadly over the many years of his employment in the justice sector.
  • congratulates Ms Sasha Maria Schwendenwein of investigative journalism television series, Carte Blanche, for her SADC Media Awards entry, which won second prize in the TV category. The story that won, “Follow the Guns”, was a co-production that looked at the scourge of rhino poaching.
  • congratulates the Springboks and Banyana Banyana for flying the South African flag high and emerging victorious at the Rugby Championship and the COSAFA Women’s Championship, respectively. They are the pride of the nation and their achievements are an inspiration to young and promising athletes across the country.  
  • congratulates Ms Zozibini Tunzi, who was crowned Miss South Africa 2019 and wishes her well during her reign. She will represent the country at the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants.

F. Appointments

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and the relevant clearance.

1. Reappointment of Mr Fundisile Goodman Mketeni as the Chief Executive   
        Officer of SANParks.

Enquiries:
Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Cabinet Spokesperson
Cell: 083 501 0139

Cabinet met on Wednesday, 4 September 2019 at Tuynhuys in Cape Town

A. Current affairs

Based on an analysis of the current affairs environment, the following was agreed by Cabinet: 

1. Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

1.1. Cabinet joins the nation in mourning the killings, rape and abuse of women by men that continue to take place in our country. These horrific attacks on women reflects our collective failure to respond to the cries of the most vulnerable in our midst. 

1.2. At its core is the manifestation of a profound lack of adequate response to the continued daily violation of babies, children, the elderly, women living with disabilities, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, intersex and queer/questioning community and migrant women. 

1.3. Cabinet has called for the imposition of the maximum sentence to the perpetrators. Notwithstanding the fact that there is a high conviction rate (74%) of GBV and over 4 000 perpetrators who have received life sentences, more still needs to be done. One women killed, raped and abused is one too many. 

1.4. The national Register of Sexual Offences will be placed before Parliament for consideration for amendment to the Sexual Offences Act. These amendments will ensure that the register is extended to cover offenders who have committed any sexual offence, as it stands currently the register is limited to only individuals who are convicted and sentenced for violating a minor or an individual who is mentally disabled.

1.5. Cabinet expresses its deepest condolences to the families and friends of Uyinene Mrwetyana, Leighandre Jegels, Nolunde Vumsindo, Meghan Cremer, Jess Hess, Ayakha Jiyane and her three siblings and all women and children who were brutally murdered by men. 

1.6. Cabinet temporarily adjourned and released a delegation of Ministers from an ordinary sitting of Cabinet to meet with hundreds of protestors who had gathered at Parliament to protest against GBV.  

1.7. Cabinet has also established an inter-ministerial committee that will work together with civil society to bring an end to GBV. This committee consists of Minister in The Presidency, Mr Jackson Mthembu; Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele; Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola; Minister of State Security, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu and Minister of in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. 

This Committee will mobilize society as a whole against the phenomenon of GBV, and regularly update Cabinet and the public on its efforts to curb GBV.  The Committee will ensure that families and victims of GBV are supported. 

1.8. Cabinet reflected on the progress made on the implementation of the Declaration of the Presidential Summit Against GBV and Femicide held in Centurion on 1 and 2 November 2018 to develop a national plan of action against GBV. An Interim Structure was established in January 2019 comprising of representatives of civil-society networks and government departments. A draft National Strategic Plan has been developed, which is based on consultative meetings, which build on the adopted Declaration. Consultations are underway across the country and will result in the envisaged National GBV and Femicide Council, which will be provided with the necessary resources to drive the anti GBV programme. 

1.9. Notwithstanding that we have enacted many laws to deal with incidences of violence against women and children, and whilst we appreciate the efforts that police and other law-enforcement agencies – including our prosecutors, magistrates and judges – have made to arrest and sentence those responsible for these heinous crimes, Cabinet calls on all sectors of society, particularly men, to stand up against those who continue rape, abuse and kill women in our society. 

1.10. Churches and religious leaders should take a firm stand and use their leadership and influence in communities to build positive social cohesion against GBV. The media should actively contribute towards addressing harmful social norms and beliefs that drive GBV while business leaders should address all forms of violence in the workplace and support our national efforts to eradicate GBV. Cabinet believes that it is only when society as a whole works together that we can end GBV and the killing of women.

1.11. Cabinet has made a call to the South African society to ensure that the boy child is raised in a manner that respects the rights of all people, especially women in society. The boy child must be raised to know that women are their equals and not subordinates to be subjected to all sorts of abuse that end up in them being killed. 

2. Public violence and unrest 

2.1. Cabinet strongly condemns the recent sporadic violence that erupted in some parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is governed by laws and therefore, all peace-loving people should condemn such unlawful and unruly behaviour in the strongest possible terms. South Africa welcomes everyone who enters legally and abides by its laws. No grievance can justify violent attacks on other people, looting of shops, destruction of property and blocking of roads, which are all illegal and criminal offences punishable by law.

2.2. Cabinet is encouraged by the speed with which the South African Police Service (SAPS) have acted in arresting 483 persons linked to looting, public violence and destruction of property in Gauteng and the 21 arrested in relation to the burning of trucks in KwaZulu-Natal. The loss of 10 lives, eight of whom are South Africans and two foreign nationals as a result of the unrest in Gauteng sadden cabinet. Cabinet expressed its deepest condolences to their families. 

2.3. Cabinet also expressed its concern regarding the burning of trucks in KwaZulu-Natal arising from allegations that foreign nationals get preference for work as truck drivers as opposed to South Africans in the freight and logistics industry. Government is currently conducting road blocks with a particular focus on trucks, and if drivers are found to be undocumented foreign nationals, they are immediately sent back to their country of origin. 

2. World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa

2.1. South Africa is hosting a number of state leaders as well as over a thousand regional and global leaders from politics, business, civil society and academia at the 28th WEF on Africa, in Cape Town from 4 to 6 September 2019.

2.2. The theme of the summit, in which a number of stakeholders in the South African society and economy are also participating, is: “Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Futures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. 

2.3. The WEF on Africa is tackling the issues faced by the continent by focusing on how to scale up the transformation of regional architecture related to smart institutions, investment, integration, industry and innovation. The meeting is also addressing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.

2.4. South Africa’s participation in the WEF on Africa, which brings top leaders together to create the conditions for socio-economic investment, will further enrich our programmes and interventions towards addressing our triple challenge of unemployment, inequality and poverty. This will take us closer to the realisation of Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan, our blueprint to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. 

2.5. Cabinet wishes all participants constructive and fruitful deliberations as they experience the warm Ubuntu hospitality of our country. 

3. Employment Equity Amendment Bill

3.1. Cabinet expressed concern at the slow pace of transformation in the workplace following the release of the 19th Commission for Employment Equity report. The report shows disappointingly low compliance levels with the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act 55 of 1998) which is aimed at addressing the apartheid legacy of imbalances and inequalities in our labour market. 

3.2. In an effort to strengthen the Employment Equity Act of 1998, government will be tabling the Employment Equity Amendment Bill in Parliament. 

3.3. The Bill increases fines for contravening the Act and makes it compulsory that employers who want to do business with the government provide an employment equity compliance certificate. 

4. Nation-building

4.1. Cabinet joins South Africans in welcoming the Equality Court’s ruling on the restriction of the display of the pre-1994 apartheid era flag, which represents our divisive past. Cabinet supports the ruling that the old flag “impairs the dignity of black people and that those who display the apartheid flag consciously choose oppression over liberation”.

4.2. Symbols that represent the dark days of South Africa, especially the old flag, do not contribute towards building the united, non-racial and non-sexist society as envisioned in the progressive Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. Cabinet calls on all South Africans to promote and strive for a common national identity as enshrined in our Constitution. 

4.3. The display of the old apartheid flag should be restricted to genuine artistic, academic or journalistic expression that are in the public interest.

B. Cabinet decisions

1.  National Crime Statistics Report for 2018/19

1.1. Cabinet approved the release the National Crime Statistics Report for 2018/19.

1.2. The annual crime statistics enable government to monitor key targets, in particular the reduction of reported serious crimes, as set out in the Medium Term Strategic Framework. They could also serve to strengthen the crime-prevention operations and guide the strategies of various government departments. 

1.3. Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele will schedule a media briefing to release the findings of the crime statistics.

2. Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP) 2020 

2.1. Cabinet gave permission for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) to revise time frames relating to the allocation process for licenses in 12 fisheries. Accordingly, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy will shortly gazette the new time frames for the Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP) 2020 process. 

2.2. Cabinet believes that it is essential the process is credible, transparent, and furthers transformation of the industry as a whole. New time frames will allow the DEFF to fulfil all regulatory requirements of the FRAP process, including appointing advisory and scientific bodies, undertaking research on fish stocks and implementing socio-economic studies on each fishery. 

C. Bills

1. Judicial Matters Amendment Bill of 2019

1.1. Cabinet approved for the submission of the Bill to Parliament.

1.2. The Bill seeks to amend two Acts in order to address gaps identified by the Constitutional Court: 

•    The Divorce Act, 1979 (Act 70 of 1979) – the amendment by the Bill further regulates the division of assets and maintenance of parties in divorce proceedings in accordance with a judgment of the Constitutional Court; and
•    The National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act 32 of 1998) – the amendment by the Bill deals with aspects pertaining to the term of office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions and the Deputy National Directors of Public Prosecutions in accordance with a judgement of the Constitutional Court. 

D. Messages

1. Condolences

Cabinet sent condolences to the:

1.1. family and friends of Umkhonto We Sizwe Veteran and African National Congress Women’s League member, pioneer businesswoman, Dr Thandi Cynthia Ndlovu, who passed away on 24 August 2019. The then Acting President David Mabuza declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2 for the late struggle stalwart and freedom fighter. Dr Ndlovu received various awards throughout a distinguished career, and she continued to be a leading example to others, both in academic pursuit and as a leading businesswoman. She led an impeccable life as a political activist and a champion for women empowerment. In February, she also witnessed the signing of the Competition Amendment Act, 2018 (Act 18 of 2018) into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

1.2. family and friends of veteran journalist, writer and researcher, Mr Harry Mashabela. In July 1976, he was arrested, together with many seasoned journalists in the country, under the infamous Terrorism Act. He worked for many publications, including the Rand Daily Mail, The Star, Drum and Financial Mail. He was also the author of a number of books including the Townships of the PWV, a People on the Boil (1988) and Mekhukhu: Urban African Cities of the Future (1990).

1.3. family and friends of journalist and eNCA Director of News, Mr Ben Said and SABC sports analyst and journalist, Mr David Kekana. The South African media industry has lost legends who used their journalism skills to inform the public and make South Africa a better place. 

1.4. Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and his entire family, following the death of his mother, Mama Sina Sekeku Motsoaledi.

2. Congratulations and well wishes

Cabinet congratulated the:

2.1. 31 players in the Springbok squad who are in Japan representing the country at the Rugby World Cup (RWC). We are confident that they will represent our nation with honour and pride, and wish them well in their quest to bring the RWC trophy home.

2.2. Ndlovu Youth Choir, whose performance touched hearts across the world and earned them a spot in the finals of the America's Got Talent competition.

E.  Appointments

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and the relevant clearance.

1. Ms Mapatane Elizabeth Kgomo as the Deputy Director-General: Infrastructure Delivery Management Support at the Department of Cooperative Governance. 

Enquiries: Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Cabinet Spokesperson 
Mobile: 083 501 0139