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Statement on Cabinet Meeting, 20 September 2006 Cabinet
received reports from Cabinet Committees on implementation of the Programme of
Action, and noted the progress made over the past two months. Ministers will brief
the media on implementation from 26 - 28 September and the government website
will be updated accordingly. The cluster briefings will be followed by a briefing
on HIV and AIDS by the Minister of Health at a date to be announced. The
meeting noted preparations for the eighth investiture of National Orders on Wednesday,
27 September at the Union Buildings. Through the National Orders we convey our
aspirations for a society in which the divisions of the past are healed and which
is based on democratic values, social justice and human rights. On this day, the
President of the Republic recognises the role of men and women who have contributed
to making a better life for current and future generations. Cabinet was
briefed on preparations for the commemoration on 1 - 2 October of the centenary
of the launch of Satyagraha, led by Mahatma Gandhi. The various anniversaries
being marked during this year celebrate the part played by many sectors of our
society in the achievement of freedom and by various forms of struggle, including
non-violent or passive resistance as exemplified by Satyagraha. The participation
of the Indian Prime Minister in the celebrations reflects the bonds between our
two peoples and countries which were forged in struggle and which are now being
further strengthened in co-operation for development and peace. This follows a
visit by our Deputy President to Gandhi's grave during her recent visit to India.
The Deputy President briefed Cabinet on progress the Inter-Ministerial
Committee (IMC) was making in resuscitating the South African National AIDS Council
(SANAC) and managing government interaction with the various stakeholders as part
of strengthening the partnership against HIV/AIDS. The need to raise the level
of participants in SANAC to include decision makers was endorsed. Government will
ensure that it is represented by Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Directors-General.
An appeal will be made to all stakeholders to ensure that they nominate decision-makers
to participate in SANAC meetings. This will ensure that all stakeholders become
actively involved in the fight against the pandemic. Cabinet endorsed interaction
with stakeholders such as the National Association of People Living with Aids
(NAPWA) and the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). The meeting welcomed the
decision by NAPWA to call off their hunger strike. This will further create an
environment that is conducive to constructive engagement in the fight against
the pandemic. Cabinet confirmed that the Ministry of Health, led by Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang, will continue to lead implementation of the government's comprehensive
plan on HIV and AIDS. The IMC will co-ordinate government action to ensure, among
other things, better inter-departmental interaction and timeous attention to obstacles
and challenges. Any perception that the IMC will take over implementation of the
programme would be misleading as the IMC is not a department and it will not take
over the implementing function from the Department and the Minister of Health.
Cabinet noted the public discourse on the Civil Unions bill. Whilst every
individual or group has the right to express their views openly on the matter
of same-sex marriages, Cabinet emphasised the need for everyone to be reminded
that there is a Constitutional Court ruling that the current definition of marriage
in the Marriage Act was unconstitutional. Participants in the debate should not
conduct themselves in a manner that suggests that they want to defy the decision
of the Constitutional Court on this or any other matter. Cabinet approved
the following appointments: - New members of the Boards of the South
African Forestry Company (SAFCOL) and Denel - the Minister of Public Enterprises
will announce details at a later stage
- Directors to the Boards of Railway
Safety Regulator (RSR), SA Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) and the Cross-Border
Road Transport Agency (CBRTA), and the CEO of the Railway Safety Regulator - the
Minister of Transport will announce the relevant details in due course
- Members
of the Board of the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and the members of the National
Consumer Tribunal (NCT) - the Minister of Trade and Industry will announce the
relevant details at a later stage
- Deputy Director-General in the Department
of Communication and one in the Public Service Commission.
Enquiries:
Themba Maseko
Cell: 083 645 0810 Issued by: Government Communications
(GCIS)
20 September 2006
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