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Statement on Cabinet Meeting, 14 June 2006 Cabinet was
today briefed on new scientific information and the economics of climate change.
In the main, the new data point to a potential for more adverse effects of climate
change in terms of biodiversity, sea-levels for coastal cities, economic potential
of various regions and so on. Cabinet reaffirmed decisions that had earlier been
taken to mitigate this process, and agreed that these programmes, including the
introduction of renewable energy sources, should be scaled up. It was also agreed
that the SA Earth Observation System (SAEOS) Strategy should be implemented taking
this new information into account. The following appointments were approved
or confirmed: - Mr Themba James Maseko as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
of Government Communications (GCIS) for a period of three years;
- Mr Sithembele
Mase as CEO of the SA Micro Finance Apex Fund (SAMAF) in the Department of Trade
and Industry for a period of three years;
- Two Deputy Directors-General
(DDGs) in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry;
- Members of the
SA Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, chaired by
Mr Abdul S Minty;
- Members of two distributing agencies of the National
Lotteries Board: Charities Distribution Agency (chaired by Dr Teboho Maitse) and
Arts, Culture and National Heritage Distribution Agency (chaired by Dr Nathan
Bagarette); and
- Professor M Mangaliso as President of the National Research
Foundation (NRF).
The meeting approved the submission to parliament,
for ratification, of the Instrument of Amendment of the Constitution of the International
Labour Organisation (ILO). Cabinet noted plans for the release of the Macrosocial
Report, "A nation in the making", which is meant to take place in a
week's time. Government calls on all South Africans to engage the issues identified
in the report, the better to improve national partnership in building a caring
society. The meeting noted the continuing campaign by Mr Zahir Omar, the
legal representative of Pakistani national, Mr Khalid Rashid, to besmirch the
name of our government and our country regarding Rashid's deportation from our
country. Government wishes to reiterate that it has exercised its constitutional
and legal responsibility to deport an illegal foreigner from our country, in accordance
with prescribed procedures. Because of allegations regarding Mr Rashid's links
with international terrorist organisations, the deportation was conducted in co-operation
with Pakistani authorities; and these authorities have confirmed in writing that
Mr Rashid was received in that country in good health. As such, if indeed Mr Omar
is genuinely interested in assisting Mr Rashid's family to establish his whereabouts,
he should take this matter up in Pakistan. Government is in no doubt that
the overwhelming majority of South Africans, including the Muslim community, are
committed to work together in pursuit of our common security as a nation, and
to work with the international community in promoting peace and stability throughout
the world. Government wishes to congratulate all South African youth on
the occasion of June 16, the 30th anniversary of the youth uprising against the
system of apartheid. This occasion affords us an opportunity not only to honour
the heroes of our struggle; but also to work together to expand, and take advantage
of, opportunities provided by democracy. Government will continue with its efforts
to deepen youth participation in development; and it will do so taking into account
proposals emerging from the recently-held National Youth Convention. Biography
of Themba James Maseko Themba James Maseko was born on 27 January 1964.
He attended Immaculata High School in Diepkloof, Soweto, matriculating in 1982.
He obtained a BA in Sociology and Law at the University of the Witwatersrand
in 1987 and an LLB at the same institution in 1992. He was awarded an MBA by Demontfort
University (UK) in 2002. During the 1980s and early 1990s he played a leading
role in the education sector of the mass democratic movement. This included the
South African National Students Congress (SANSCO); Azanian Students Organisation;
and from 1990 the National Education Co-ordinating Committee whose General Secretary
he was from 1991 to1993. He also served on the Gauteng Regional Executive Committee
of the South African Communist Party. He was elected an ANC Member of Parliament
in 1994; and in 1995 he took up the position of Superintendent-General of the
Gauteng Department of Education, where he served until 2000. During 2001
and 2002 he worked in the private sector as Managing Director of the Damelin Education
Group and CEO of Sifikile Investments. He served for three years as Director-General
of the Department of Public Works, from February 2003 to February 2006. In
the period before his appointment as CEO of GCIS he has been active in the private
sector, positions he will relinquish on assuming duty as CEO of GCIS. Mr
Maseko is a member of the boards of Adopt a School Foundation and the Centre for
Public Service Innovation, and of Vista University Council. For further
information contact: Joel Netshitenzhe
Cell: 082 900 0083 Issued
by: Government Communication (GCIS)
14 June 2006
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