Priorities of the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

DATE: 24 August 2005

QUESTION NUMBER: 15

Ms M P Rwexana (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:

What priorities will she be pursuing during her term of office?

N1662E

REPLY:

Honourable member, the Deputy President is part of the Cabinet team, led by the President to implement the programmes of government.

However in that context I would like to mention the areas of specific responsibility assigned to me. These are:

* the South African National AIDS Council;

* the 2nd Economy;

* achieving an economic growth rate of over 6%;

* linguistic and traditional matters

* the Moral Regeneration Movement and

* the Leader of Government Business

* International matters including several Bi-national Commissions.

My priorities in light of the above will be to:

1. Harness the goodwill of organised formations and individuals to support actually and practically government's agenda to grow the economy such that we create jobs in the second economy and
reduce poverty. Honourable members, many of the "haves" in our country, particularly those in business have a desire to help those historically less fortunate. What we need is a strategy to use this goodwill for the maximum benefit of our country. Support for SMMEs, including cooperatives, forms a major part of government's economic strategy. However, business and labour have a crucial role to play in this regard as well.

2. Ensure that government and all our social partners respond systematically to the issues raised by the Beijing plus 10 Platform on the challenges facing women and children.

3. In line with Government's programme of action and areas of work delegated to the Presidency, ensure that we build the capacity of government to deliver services especially at a municipal
level.

4. Pay attention to issues of development, social cohesion and nation building through the Moral Regeneration Movement as well as traditional and cultural programmes.