Statement on Cabinet Meeting of 4 March 2009

Cabinet held its ordinary meeting in Pretoria this morning, 4th March 2009.

Cabinet condemns the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan. No objective, political or otherwise, could ever justify the barbaric attack on innocent sportspeople who were in Pakistan to represent their country and its people. This government rejects, in no uncertain terms, the targeting of sports teams as they serve the important role of being ambassadors for all sports loving citizens of the world.

The meeting received a report on the aid that was provided to Zimbabwe in terms of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Zimbabwean Humanitarian Development Assistance Framework. This framework was put in place following the visit to Zimbabwe by an interdepartmental task team that was led by Reverend Chikane. This framework provided for the establishment of multi-stakeholder structures to ensure that the aid was provided in a non-partisan way. The stakeholders represented in the structures included United Nations (UN) agencies, government representatives, religious community, farmers unions and SADC. These structures were monitored by and reported to the SADC ambassadors.

Cabinet was pleased to note that all reports indicated that the aid was distributed in full compliance of the SADC framework. An interdepartmental task team that visited Zimbabwe over the past two weeks has also found that there was compliance with the SADC framework. We are therefore satisfied that the South African aid was received by the targeted ordinary Zimbabweans. The meeting noted that some media reports appeared to be confusing the SADC aid and the aid that was provided to farmers by the Zimbabwean government.

The meeting welcomed the positive news that the sale of tickets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was proceeding well. However, Cabinet shares the concern that South Africans were not purchasing the tickets. Extra measures will have to be put in place jointly with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to ensure that the Confederations Cup and the World Cup finals are marketed to South Africans.

The report on the establishment of the Education Evaluation and Development Unit in the Department of Education was received and noted. The report will be published for public comment before the matter is finalised.
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The Inter-governmental protocol for the provision of support to the Eastern Cape Department of Education was approved. This protocol will provide the legal basis for the National Department of Education to provide technical and administrative support to the provincial department of education, including clarification of roles and responsibilities between the two departments.

The meeting noted that the 13th Awards ceremony for the National Orders will take place on 27th March 2009 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The following appointments were approved:

• Mr D van Schalkwyk was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer in the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
• The employment contract of DR RM Adam, the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, was extended for a period of three years
• The employment contract of Mr A Zaloumis, the Chief Executive Officer of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, was extended for a three year period
• The following were appointed to the South African Tourism Board for a period of three years; Mr J Mabuza (Chairperson); Mr F Kilbourn (Deputy Chairperson); Ms T Makgabo; Dr I Abedian; Mr B Dungan; Mr Z Mntambo; Ms S Mzimela; Ms A Malan; Ms Y Johnson; Mr M Lutzeyer; Mr M Mosola; Chairperson of the Tourism Grading Council (ex officio); and the Chairperson of Tourism Empowerment Council of South Africa (ex officio)
• The following were appointed as members of the Board of South African National Parks (SANPARKS): Mr K Dlamini (Chairperson); Dr G Dry; Mr M Diemont; Ms B Kunene; Prof G Kerley; Mr T Mabilane; Dr D Mabunda; Mr F Mketeni; Ms S Rensburg; Prof G Swan; Mr J Vilakazi and Prof W Van Riet.

Enquiries:

Themba Maseko (Government Spokesperson)
Cell: 083 645 0810  

Issued by Government Communications (GCIS)
4 March 2009