C. BILLS
1. Cabinet approved the submission of the Customary
Initiation Bill of 2018 to Parliament. The Bill seeks to protect, promote
and regulate the governance aspect of the practice of customary initiation.
It provides national norms and standards aimed at the
protection of life and the prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse
experienced by initiates.
2. Cabinet approved for the submission of the National
Qualifications Framework Amendment Bill of 2016 to Parliament. The Bill,
which amends the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act 67 of 2008),
strengthens the Act by improving measures to deal with issues of
misrepresentation, imposes consequences on persons who misrepresent their
qualifications or organisations that issue invalid qualifications.
It also proposes regulations to ensure that fraudulent
qualifications are referred to the relevant professional bodies (database of
individuals who misrepresented their qualifications). It also addresses the
accreditation of foreign qualifications.
3. Cabinet approved the Railway Safety Bill of 2017 to
be published for public comments. The Bill seeks to improve railway safety and
create a governance structure to oversee the work of the Rail Safety Regulator
of South Africa. It is also aligned to the National Rail Policy regarding the
strengthening of safety monitoring, and the promotion and enforcement of safety
in our railways.
4. Cabinet approved for the Draft Economic Regulation of
Transport Bill of 2017 to be published for public comments and
consultation. The Bill addresses the regulatory and capacity gaps in respect of
provision of a cost-effective and efficient transport system.
D. UPCOMING EVENTS
1. South Africa will be hosting the Southern African
Development Community Ministers of Labour, Employment and Social Security, as
Chair, from 1 to 2 March 2018 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The theme of the conference is: “Horizon decent work: Advancing connectivity,
coherence and inclusivity”. Participants will include social partners –
organised business, labour and community.
2. President Ramaphosa in his capacity as the Chair of SADC
will undertake consultative visits to Angola, Botswana and Namibia from 2 to 3
March 2018. He will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations
and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Nosiviwe Maphisa Nqakula.
3. South Africa will co-host the 17th World Conference on
Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) from 7 to 9 March 2018 in Cape Town under the
theme: “Uniting the World for a Tobacco-free Generation”. This is the first
hosting in Africa.
The WTCOH calls for committed action and provides a platform
for governments, civil-society organisations, United Nations agencies,
international organisations, health workers and other stakeholders to discuss
shared knowledge and experiences, particularly regarding to youth and women who
are exposed to tobacco use.
Hosting the conference contributes towards addressing the
National Development Plan’s goals by creating awareness and education on the
harmful effects of tobacco use, and the need to intensify tobacco control
measures.
4. On the 10 and 11 March the IEC will open the Voting
Registration Centres for people to come and register and check their
registration details.
Cabinet urges all eligible voters to visit their
voting stations to update the voters’ roll in preparation for the 2019 general
elections. Cabinet particularly calls on first-time voters to ensure they
participate in their constitutional democratic right to vote by going to
register to vote.
This registration weekend is a milestone towards the
culmination of a two-year project to obtain the residential addresses of all
registered voters.
The voting stations will be open between 08:00 and 17:00 to
assist new voters to register to vote, and allow registered voters who have
relocated to reregister in their correct voting district and update their
address details on the voters’ roll.
E. MESSAGES
1. Cabinet commends all teachers who were honoured at the 18th
National Teaching Awards which took place in Johannesburg on Saturday, 17
February 2018. The awards recognised outstanding teaching and leadership in
several categories, including the Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award and
Professor Kader Asmal Award.
2. Cabinet conveys its condolences to Deputy Minister Obed
Bapela on the loss of his wife Constance Bapela, who served the country
as a councillor at the time of her passing.
3. Cabinet joins President Ramaphosa in conveying
condolences to the family, friends and associates of the political economist
and author, Prof Johannes “Sampie” Terreblanche, who passed on at the
age of 84.
4. Cabinet congratulates Minister Naledi Pandor on
her recognition by Leiden University in the Netherlands as an Oort Honorary
Visiting Professor of Astronomy and Development. This is in recognition of the
Minister’s
extraordinary accomplishment in harnessing science,
particularly astronomy, as a tool for global development and societal benefit.
F. APPOINTMENTS
All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications
and the relevant clearance.
1. Ms Lerato Mataboge as Deputy Director-General (DDG):
Trade and Investment South Africa, Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).
2. Ms Shandokane Evelyn Masotja as DDG: Consumer and
Corporate Regulation, the dti.
3. Ms Vuyelwa Vumendlini as DDG: International and
Regional Economic Policy, National Treasury.
4. Mr Joseph Tebogo Leshope as Chief Operations Officer
of SENTECH.
5. Ms Vuyo Zitumane as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Amatola Water.
6. Adv Seeng Catherine Ntsaba-Letele as Chief Ombud of
the Community Schemes Ombud Service.
7. Mr Edward Mamadise as CEO of the National Regulator
for Compulsory Specifications.
8. Dr Sagren Moodley as the representative from the DST
on the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.
9. Reappointments to the Patent Examination Board:
a. Ms Shanaaz Tiry Mahomed;
b. Ms Sandra Cleiland;
c. Prof Christiena Maria van der Bank; and
d. Adv Nhlanhla Paul Sibisi.
Enquiries: Ms Phumla Williams – Acting Cabinet
Spokesperson
Cell: 083 501 0139
Date: Thursday, 1 March 2018
Issued by: Government Communication and Information
System (GCIS)
www.gcis.gov.za | www.gov.za
