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Statement on Cabinet Meeting of 18 April 2007 Cabinet
held its sixth meeting of the year yesterday morning, 18 April 2007, in Pretoria.
Cabinet approved the establishment of the Broadband Infrastructure Company
(INFRACO) as a state-owned enterprise that will provide electronic communications
network services. The non-core Fixed Services Network (FSN) assets of Eskom Ltd
and Transnet Ltd will be transferred to INFRACO. The Broadband Infrastructure
Company Bill will be tabled in Parliament during the 2007 session. The Minister
of Public Enterprises will be the shareholder Representative. The meeting
approved the transfer of South African Express Airways (Pty) Ltd (SAX) from Transnet
to the state, with the Minister of Public Enterprises as the shareholder representative.
This decision effectively completes Transnet's turnaround strategy of exiting
the aviation sector in order to focus on its freight operations. The Transfer
of South African Express Airways and the South African Express Bill will be tabled
in Parliament during the 2007 session. Cabinet noted that preparations
for the celebration of Freedom Day on 27 April were on track. The President will
participate in the national event which will be held in Bisho on that day. This
thirteenth anniversary of the achievement of our freedom is an occasion for all
South Africans to reflect on the progress they have achieved since 1994 in creating
a better life for all, and overcoming the divisions of the past. It is a time
to recognise how much still needs to be done; and to renew our pledge to work
together in a national partnership to achieve our shared goal of a just, prosperous
and united society. During this period, the President will be honouring
the men and women who have contributed to the national effort to build a better
life for all, for current and future generations, and who inspire young people.
The National Orders ceremony will be held shortly before Freedom Day, on 24 April,
at which the President will bestow National Orders on these stalwarts in recognition
of their contribution to our democracy. The meeting received a preliminary
report on the National Imbizo Week which took place from 10 to 17 April. The widespread
interaction between the public and members of the executive in all three spheres
of government included over 300 events across the country, involving the President,
Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers and MECs, Mayors and
councillors. The issues canvassed covered a whole range of issues related to the
Programme of Action and service delivery challenges. The interaction confirmed
both appreciation of progress and the need to intensify implementation of government
programmes to improve the lives of our people. We take this opportunity to thank
all South Africans for their participation and invaluable feedback. Cabinet
noted that our preparations for the 15th Session of the United Nations (UN) Commission
on Sustainable Development (CSD), which will be meeting in New York from 30 April
to 11 May, were on track. The CSD's mandate is to follow-up, monitor and report
on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation that was adopted at the 2002 Johannesburg
World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Cabinet noted the need for African
countries to develop and adopt a common position on environmental matters, and
to highlight the linkages between poverty eradication, sustainable development
and maintaining the integrity of the of the natural resource base in the long
term. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will spearhead a process
of developing South Africa's position which will incorporate issues covered in
the Kyoto Protocol and the targets set at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on
Sustainable Development. The meeting approved the proposal for South Africa
to sign the Framework Agreement for International Collaboration on Research and
Development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems. This agreement will be submitted
to Parliament for final approval. The Department of Minerals and Energy Affairs
will be the implementing agent. Cabinet welcomed the agreement by the Government
of Sudan to implement the second phase of the agreement on UN support to the African
Union's (AU) Africa Mission in that country. Cabinet would like to recognise the
contribution made by our President who has worked tirelessly to ensure that peace
returns to the Sudan. The latest positive developments are a critical step for
further progress towards creating conditions for a resolution of the political,
military and humanitarian situation in Darfur, and towards implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan. South Africa has made and will continue
to make, through our President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, a meaningful contribution
towards promoting peace and stability in that region. We call upon all Sudanese
stakeholders and the International community to encourage the rebel groups to
join the national dialogue as a matter of urgency. The meeting welcomed
the decision of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads
of State and Government which gave President Mbeki the mandate to facilitate dialogue
between the Zimbabwean government and the leaders of the opposition. The government,
opposition and the people of Zimbabwe must take advantage of the goodwill shown
by the SADC Heads of State and move speedily towards finding a lasting political
solution. The critical and urgent challenge facing all Zimbabweans is to take
the necessary steps to create an environment that would be conducive for free
and fair elections in 2008. Zimbabwe and the whole SADC region need a stable socio-economic
and political climate that would enable the region to attend to the urgent challenges
of economic growth and development of our peoples. Cabinet was encouraged by the
confidence publicly expressed by, amongst others, the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) leadership, in President Mbeki's appointment as a facilitator. Cabinet
wishes to congratulate the national cricket team on their superb performance in
the Cricket World Cup on Tuesday when they defeated the English cricket team and
qualified for the semi-finals. We are confident that our boys will display the
same excellence and courage in the next stage of the tournament. We call upon
all South Africans to continue to give the Proteas enthusiastic support as they
face the next hurdle on their way to winning the Cricket World Cup. We, on behalf
of all South Africans, would like to wish the Proteas the best of luck in their
next match against Australia. The following appointments were approved:
- One Deputy Director-General (DDG) in the Department of Housing (Mr
JM Leshabane)
- Two DDGs in the Department of Labour (Ms SP Zondeki and
Mr S Morotoba)
- Mr TB Seruwe as Commissioner: Unemployment Insurance Fund
(UIF), Department of Labour
- The following were appointed to the Board
of Directors of the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) for a period of three
years: Dr F Sonn (Chairperson); Ms S Zilwa (Deputy Chairperson); Ms N Hlahla (CEO);
Mr B Mparutsa (Chief Financial Officer); Ms A Ngwezi; Mr W van der Vent; Ms N
Galeni; Ms T Siwendu; Mr R Persad; and Mr M Ramagaga.
- The following were
appointed as new members of the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) for a three
year period: Mr S Faku; Ms MM Mogodi-Dikgetsi; Ms W Machanik; Mr H Jawitz; Ms
T Mmaseepi Dube; Ms SE Moolman; Ms L Noval; Mr N Mafongosi; Adv M Mdlundlu; Adv
A Mayet; Mr N Gopal; Mr D Hlathwayo; Mr RN Theunissen; Mr K Naidoo and Mr FK Sibanda.
- The
following were appointed as non-Executive Directors of the Board of Electronic
Communications Security (Pty) Ltd (COMSEC): Mr M E Manzini; Mr J Kotane; Mr M
Jhatham; Ms R Sekese and Mr FS Nomvalo.
Enquiries:
Themba
Maseko
Cell: 083 645 0810 Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
19
April 2007 | 
