Monday, 13 February 2012 www.thenewage.co.za
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STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS President Jacob Zuma Zuma’s speech lifts morale of investors and the people
Warren Mabona transport and mining. The presi- ises made by President Zuma. k_`jÔ\c[#ÉjX`[(/$p\Xi$fc[=Xe`\ in a shack since she came to Die- from the electricity utility, Eskom. prices by 35% last year. The Presi- dent said Transnet had set aside Most gave his speech a thumbs- Morolong. psloot from the North West 10 This leads to sporadic power dent said he had asked Eskom PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma’s plans R300bn in capital expenditure up, describing it as a remedy to Another resident, Peter years ago. outages that plunge many homes to seek options on how the price to create more jobs and roll out projects in the next seven years. their unemployment and other Mashego, said President Zuma I am happy and hope the gov- into darkness, especially in the increase requirement might be infrastructural development pro- In addition, President Zuma problems. They also said it would had left him with many hopes of ernment will keep its promises evenings. Many residents are then i\[lZ\[]fik_\e\okÔm\p\Xij#`e grammes were hailed by many addressed the needs of those who root out challenges they faced getting a job and a proper roof of building us RDP houses and left with no other alternative but to support of economic growth and people as a beginning of a journey did not qualify for RDP houses or when accessing several basic over his head. Mashego, 42, a Zi\Xk\dfi\afYj#Éj_\jX`[% spend more money on illuminating job creation. towards a good life. bank loans. He said the govern- services such as healthcare, edu- ]Xk_\i f] Ôm\#_Xj Y\\e le\d$ Diepsloot has more than 150 000 gXiXøe]fik_\`ie\\[j% He said the government needed In his fourth state of the nation ment had allocated R1bn funding cation, safety and security. ployed for three years. inhabitants, most of whom live in Needless to say, the blackouts an electricity price path which address President Zuma said the for this category, and the fund Not only did President Zuma’s He said he would go back to shacks, RDP houses and low-cost and high expenditure leave a bit- would ensure that Eskom and government had invested billions would start operating in April. speech make the residents hope- his home province of Limpopo to houses. A big number of Diepsloot ter taste in the mouths of the resi- k_\`e[ljkipi\dX`e\[ÔeXeZ`Xccp of rands in infrastructure develop- The scheme would enable peo- ful about service delivery, it also work on one of the upcoming rail residents are unemployed and dents as they struggle to cook and viable and sustainable, but which ment. This would see large-scale ple who earned between R3 000 injected them with a political projects. they can hardly keep up with the keep themselves warm. nflc[i\dX`eXùfi[XYc\% projects being undertaken by and R15 000 monthly to obtain interest. “I hope I will get a job in one spiralling costs of food and other But President Zuma’s speech Vegetable hawker and mother parastatals such as Transnet. subsidies of up to R83 000 from “I used to pay little attention to of those projects and support my basic services such as electricity. brought new hope when he said of three Lebohang Mapheto said: “ Future projects were planned banks. The New Age spoke to sev- politics, but now I will take heed ]Xd`cp#ÉDXj_\^fjX`[%?`jnfi[j Because the area is densely pop- he was in discussion with Eskom I hope Zuma makes the reduction for Limpopo, Mpumalanga and eral residents of Diepsloot, north of it because President Zuma were echoed by Mavis Mashinini, ulated, electricity usage is often about the steep electricity prices. i\XcY\]fi\n`ek\i%É Efik_N\jk`ek_\Ô\c[f]iX`c# of Johannesburg, about the prom- made me see the importance of 54, who said she had been living higher and it exceeds the supply The power utility increased its [email protected]
Working together we can do more! PAGE 2 Monday, 13 February 2012 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS President Jacob Zuma
ECONOMIC SECTORS AND EMPLOYMENT SONA 2012: Fast facts for SA
Economic sectors Human development Sports and recreation Government and employment Basic education spending job creation » K_\eXk`feXcnfd\eËjjfZ$ » The matric percentage pass cer team Banyana Banyana »K_\Dlck`$8^\eZpNfib$ K_\DXib\k;\dXe[JkiXk\^p is on an upward trend and has qualified for the London `e^>iflgfeGifZli\d\ek# of Transnet will: dfi\\ùfikjn`ccY\dX[\`e Olympics for the first time. c\[Ypk_\EXk`feXcKi\Xj$ » result in the creation of Zfek`el`e^kf`em\jk`egif[lZ$ » South Africa has been ury, South African Revenue more jobs in the South African ing more teachers who can given the honour to host the Service and the Financial economy, as well as increased teach mathematics, science Africa Cup of Nations next Intelligence Centre, has cfZXc`jXk`feXe[9cXZb » The President announced an two main areas in Limpopo: the same time, connect these [\m\cfgd\ekf]Xe\n(-$Dkg\i Xe[BnXQlcl$EXkXc% the transport side will increase tiative. infrastructure plan which will be the Waterberg in the western centres with improved export XeelddXe^Xe\j\\ogfikZ_Xe$ The State is committed to ZXgXZ`kpkf(''Dkg\ip\XiXe[ The massive investment in [i`m\eXe[fm\ij\\eYpk_\Gi\j`$ gXikf]k_\gifm`eZ\Xe[Jk\\c$ ZXgXZ`kpk_ifl^_k_\Zfle$ nel through the Port of Ngqura Yl`c[`e^X[Xdlj`e^k_\Ldq`d$ this will allow for the expansion infrastructure will industrialise [\ek`Xc@e]iXjkilZkli\:ffi[`eXk$ poort in the eastern part. These kipËjj\X$gfikj%K_\Gi\j`[\ek `eE\cjfeDXe[\cX9Xp% mlYlI`m\iXjk_\jfliZ\`e SERVICES Gigaba assures the nation on power Eskom urged to come up with measures to curb electricity price increases Andrew Molefe WHILE electricity usage remains extremely tight, South Africans can sleep easy in the knowledge that no immediate major power outages are envisaged in the near future. This assurance was given by Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba in an interview with The New Age. But he warned that demand exceeded supply and if South Africans continued to use electricity excessively, then out- ages were inevitable. Eskom had agreements in place to purchase additional power from independent power produc- ers and had a buy-back strategy under which it bought back excess electricity from big business and municipalities. “Sometimes companies and municipalities purchase excessive power in case of shortfalls and then Ôe[flkk_Xkk_\pZXeefklj\Xcc that power,” said Gigaba. “That’s when we get in and buy back that power. Remember, you ZXeËkjkfi\gfn\i`e[\Ôe`k\cpXe[ hence they are more than willing to sell it back.” Asked if Eskom paid more for buy-backs than what they sold it ]fi`ek_\ÔijkgcXZ\#k_\D`e`jk\i said Eskom did sometimes pay more for repurchasing because COST: Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba reiterated President Zuma’s commitment to moderate the price of electricity. Pictures: SHAWN RAYMOND UYS the rules of supply and demand applied here. “But that has been budgeted for.” to Mzolis in the same township a short deadline to come with ways creation,” Zuma said. “We need Gigaba pleaded with the nation where he addressed the commu- to moderate electricity price rises. an electricity price path that will to not only conserve electricity, but nity at length in Xhosa about sav- “I have asked Eskom to seek ensure Eskom and the industry to use it in a sustainable manner ing “umbalo”. options on how the price increase i\dX`eÔeXeZ`Xccpm`XYc\Xe[jlj$ that would guarantee that it would He again reiterated what Zuma requirement may be reduced kX`eXYc\#Ylkn_`Z_i\dX`ejXùfi[$ be there for future use. had said the previous night. over the next few years, in sup- able, especially to the poor.” He said two major factors con- The president has given Eskom port of economic growth and job [email protected] ki`Ylk\[ kf k_\ jkXk\ f] XùX`ij where there was always threats of blackouts. One of these was the under- investment in electricity infra- structure . To correct this, Eskom is in the throes of massive capital expenditure that has seen prices skyrocket to fund the programme. CXjkp\XiXcfe\# DIPLOMATIC CORPS DINNER Honouring African liberation Remarks by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane “WELCOME to the Depart- Action unveiled by our president the end of the year. We believe ment of International Relations in his state of the nation address. that current global events have and Cooperation’s Annual Dinner Excellencies, ladies and gentle- efkfecpk\jk\[k_\\ù\Zk`m\e\jj for 2012. men, we may be less than two and credibility of the UN Security I thank all of you for your pres- months into 2012, but this year Council in its role of maintenance ence here tonight: Our Dean is has already been an eventful one. of international peace and secu- here with the entire contingent It began with the ANC’s cente- rity, they have also highlighted of the diplomatic corps. We thank nary celebrations in Mangaung the urgent need for the reform all of you, excellencies, for your – an event that most of you graced of this organ and the entire UN friendship and good relations with your attendance. President in accordance with the current with our country. Jacob Zuma has already thanked geo-political realities. We also have many other dis- all our friends from all over the Excellencies, ladies and gen- tinguished personalities in our world who were in Mangaung to tlemen, friends, today, it is 22 midst tonight. We value your cut the birthday cake with us. years since the father of our presence, we value your friend- Another highlight for us was nation, Nelson Mandela, walked ship. South Africa’s Presidency of the out of prison in his long walk to This year, we dedicate the Security Council of the United freedom. It would therefore be dinner to the legacy of libera- Nations. A few days ago we appropriate to recall his famous tion movements in Africa, and reported to our portfolio commit- poetic statement on the birth of the contribution of diplomacy to tee in Parliament on this aspect of our democracy, when he said: I the attainment of our freedom flinfib%JløZ\kfjXp]fiefn# dream of realisation of the unity as African people. We chose we focused our Presidency on the of Africa, whereby its leaders this theme, on the one hand, to strengthening of the relationship ZfdY`e\\ùfikjkfjfcm\k_\gifY$ recognise the centenary of the between the UN Security Coun- lems of this continent. I dream of African National Congress and, cil and the African Union in the our vast deserts, of our forests, of on the other, to join many coun- maintenance of international all our great wilderness. I dream tries on our continent who have peace and security. We were of Africa which is in peace with been celebrating 50 years of their informed in this respect by the itself.” independence from colonial rule. fact that around 60% of the issues This dream remains our inspi- Today, we pay tribute to the on the agenda of the UN Security ration in our long walk to free- sons and daughters of this great Council concern our continent. dom. continent who, when faced with The outcome of the focus of I am therefore looking forward knfZ_f`Z\jÆjlYd`kfiÔ^_kÆ our presidency was UN Security to this year, which will be as hec- Z_fj\kfÔ^_k]fik_\]i\\[fd# Council Resolution 2033, which tic as the previous ones. Our plate democracy and development we reiterated the importance of is already full with, among others, now enjoy. \jkXYc`j_`e^Xdfi\\ù\Zk`m\i\cX$ the African Diaspora Summit Today, we rededicate ourselves tionship between the UN Secu- that we will be hosting in May CORDIAL GREETINGS: Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng to the ideals of justice and a bet- rity Council and the AU Peace with the endorsement of the ter life for all, in a better South and Security Council, particu- AU, and the outcomes of COP17/ Africa, Africa and the world. cXicp`ek_\Xi\Xf]ZfeÕ`Zkgi\m\e$ CMP7 whose implementation will Every year we meet after the tion, resolution and management, be another key focus for this year. State of the Nation address to electoral assistance and regional South Africa will always count digest the message from our ZfeÕ`Zkgi\m\ek`feføZ\j%K_\ on her friends. This year will not President, and sharpen our resolution also encourages the be an exception. Madiba’s journey resolve, individually and collec- improvement of regular interac- in his long walk to freedom is far tively, to make the best out of the tion, consultation and coordina- from over. This is a journey that year ahead of us in our respective tion between the two bodies on we have all walked together in the areas of work. matters of mutual interest. past, and we will continue doing We will be guided in what we We will continue to serve on so this year. do this year by the Programme of the UN Security Council until I thank you!” LUMINARY: Dr G Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, SADC Council Chairperson and Foreign Minister of Angola. REPRESENTING SA: Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane with Miss South Africa Melinda Bam. Picture: JACOLINE SCHOONEES DEEP DISCUSSION: MP Fatima Hajaig and Palestinian AFRICAN AGENDA: Namibian Foreign Minister Utoni Nujoma with Ministers Naledi Pandor and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Ambassador Ali Halimeh. Pictures: JACOLINE SCHOONEES Monday, 13 February 2012 PAGE 5 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS President Jacob Zuma TNA BUSINESS BRIEFING New law to stop BEE fronting ‘Details on size of penalties are still to be worked out’ Siyabonga Mkhwanazi PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has issued a stern warning to com- panies who are fronting as black economic empowerment busi- nesses that the law will deal with them. Zuma said it was a matter of time before the legislation on fronting was promulgated and that decisive action would be taken against people involved in this business practice. Speaking at the The New Age 9lj`e\jj9i\Xb]Xjk9i`\Ôe^`e Cape Town on Friday, the Presi- dent said that, having realised that there was much fronting in various sectors of the economy, they had decided to introduce a law to address the problem. “Since it is now a fact (that there is fronting) we need to stop it,” Zuma told guests, adding that government would work out what punishment would be meted out to businesses involved in fronting. “The details will come out once the law is there. We have taken a decision that fronting is wrong. It gives a false impression,” said Zuma. Job creation As he pointed out in his state of the nation address on Thursday, Zuma said South Africa had per- formed well in the creation of jobs. FG ATTENDED: Marius Fransman Deputy Minister of International Relations and SERVING: Public Services Minister Roy WOMEN IN BUSINESS: Settie Mankapan, Lulama Mokhobo, Group CEO :f$fg\iXk`feXe[C`e[`n\J`jlcl#k_\D`e`jk\if];\]\eZ\Xe[D`c`kXipM\k\iXej% GX[XpXZ_`\Xe[JXccpDl[Xcp$GX[XpXZ_`\% f]k_\J89:Xe[:fie\c`XCXlYjZ_\i%Pictures: RUSANA PHILANDER PAGE 6 Monday, 13 February 2012 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS President Jacob Zuma HONOUR NOTEWORTHY: From left, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus and President Jacob Zuma at the launch of the new bank notes. Picture: AFP Banknote tribute to Mandela One of the world’s greatest leaders will grace our currency Tlalane Tshetlo K_\lg^iX[`e^Xcjf\ekX`cjj`^e`ÔZXek of the changes. kiX`e`e^f]k_\efk\ZfdgXepjkXù% After the introduction of the new IN THE week that President Jacob K_\`Zfe`Z`dX^\k_Xkn`ccY\ZXi$ notes, the current bank notes will still Zuma held the nation’s attention, he ried on the rand, the South African be deemed legal tender until they are also helped remind us of how far we had Zlii\eZpk_Xk`jn`[\cplj\[`ejlY$ phased out. Zfd\Yp_fefli`e^fliÔijk[\dfZiXk`$ Saharan regions and traded globally, is Marcus said the decision to change cally elected president, Nelson Mandela. a tribute to one of Africa and the world’s the country’s bank note series was taken To mark the 22nd anniversary of greatest leaders . following consultation with various Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, “We need to stress that the current stakeholders, including the President the Reserve Bank has announced that notes remain legal tender and there will and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. new banknotes will bear the statesman’s be a programme of replacement with The former President was consulted image. the new notes over time. It’s expected in person and he “was delighted” about President Jacob Zuma said he was the notes will be introduced towards the the news, said Marcus. happy that the announcement was made end of 2012,” said Mathebula. Winnie Mandela, Graca Machel as on such an historic day. Gi\j`[\ekQldXjX`[`knXjXÔkk`e^ well as the rest of the Mandela family “The day marked the beginning of a tribute to a man who became a symbol were also consulted. Other stakeholders new area of hope for our country and the of the country’s struggle for freedom, included the Department of Arts and world,” said President Zuma. human rights and democracy. Culture and the National Council for In a statement, the Reserve Bank “With this humble gesture, we are the blind, among others. said it was international best practice expressing our deep gratitude as the _\i\[\j`^ef]k_\efk\j`jXZZfdgX$ that the security features of banknotes South African people to a life spent in nied by the recapitalisation of the South were upgraded every seven to 10 years, service of the people of this country and African Note Company (SABN) which is gXik`ZlcXicp^`m\ek_\ZfejkXek`dgifm\$ in the cause of humanity worldwide. Y\`e^df[\ie`j\[n`k_jkXk\$f]$k_\$Xik ment in technology. ÈK_\YXebefk\jn`ccdXb\lji\d\d$ gi`ek`e^\hl`gd\ekXe[k_\lg$jb`cc`e^ The present note series was upgraded ber and appreciate our achievements in f]jkXù% in 2005 and while the security features order to continue the journey towards ÈN\_Xm\ZfeÔ[\eZ\`ek_\ZXgXZ$ i\dX`e\[\ù\Zk`m\#`knXj[\Z`[\[kf Xdfi\gifjg\ifljjfZ`\kp#ÉjX`[Gi\j`$ ity [of the SABN] although there were produce a new note series. dent Zuma. Zuma further described challenges,” said the Governor, adding In consultation with the President and Mandela as an “outstanding leader and that the cost of the design has been Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan it patriot” that represented a group of incorporated into the upgrade of the was agreed a new note series would be \oZ\gk`feXcd\eXe[nfd\en_f[\d$ efk\ZfdgXepn_`Z_`jXn_fccp$fne\[ designed. onstrated their love for South Africa in subsidiary of the Reserve Bank and is “The currency will have the same a time of repression. responsible for printing the currency of denominations, sizes and colours but the While the change will not extend to the country. front of all notes will carry a specially the country’s coin series, it will involve The cost of designing the bank notes designed engraving of former president countries on the continent that use is R2.5 million. Nelson Mandela,” said Reserve Bank South African currency. The bank has Gordhan said the introduction of spokesperson Hlengani Mathebula. no plans of producing a R500 note. the note, which the Bank is now in the The reverse side of each denomination Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus gifZ\jjf]gif[lZ`e^$`jk_\Y\^`ee`e^ will have an image of one of the Big Five. _fg\jkf_Xm\k_\e\nZlii\eZp`eZ`i$ f]X^\e\iXk`fe$n`[\i\d\dYiXeZ\f] The redesign will be accompanied culation before the end of the year. Mandela. YpXj`^e`ÔZXeki\ZXg`kXc`jXk`fef]k_\ “We will advise South Africans of K_\Ôijke\nI,'efk\nXj_Xe[\[ South African Note Company, which is the changes when the notes come into over to the President. Y\`e^df[\ie`j\[n`k_jkXk\$f]$k_\$Xik circulation,” she said. A public outreach [email protected] ICON: An image of Nelson Mandela will grace the country’s new banknotes, a tribute to the great printing equipment. programme will be held to inform people Additional reporting by BuaNews leader who devoted most of his life to the struggle for freedom, democracy and human rights. Monday, 13 February 2012 PAGE 7 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS President Jacob Zuma PHOTO GALLERY =8D@C@ INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE: President Zuma’s entourage leads the way to parliament for the State of the Nation address last week. DANCING DA DIVA: DA leader Hellen Zille couldn’t resist Freshly Ground’s catchy dlj`ZXe[kffbkfk_\[XeZ\ÕffiXkk_\^XcX[`ee\i_\c[le[\iXdXihl\\e\Xi Parliament. WE GOT RYTHM: ANC chief whip Mathole Motshekga and Minister Angie Motshekga exchanged their ALL HAIL THE CHIEF: A packed parliament listens intently as the President responsibilities for dancing shoes. delivers his State of the Nation address. PAGE 8 Monday, 13 February 2012 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS President Jacob Zuma PHOTO GALLERY 9@>9L:BJ1Gi\j`[\ekAXZfYQldXi\Z\`m\jXZ_\hl\]ifdD\kifgfc`kXe: :FE>I8KJ1 =ifdc\]k E[`c\bXDXe[\cXn`k_ÔijkcX[`\j9fe^`QldX#K_fY\bXQldXXe[Efdgld\c\cf An event to QldXXggcXl[X]k\iGi\j`[\ekAXZfYQldX[\c`m\i\[_`j)'()JkXk\f]k_\EXk`feX[[i\jj% remember This year’s SONA was stately and colourful in keeping with tradition MF@:<F=8E8E> JL9C@D<1@e[`Xe [XeZ\ij\ek\ikX`e Zifn[j[li`e^ k_\jkXk\f]k_\ eXk`feX[[i\jj ]\jk`m`k`\j% >IFFMP1:Xg\kiX[`k`feXc[XeZ\ijgifm`[\XYi`^_k[Xj_f]ZfcfliXe[dfm\d\ek G8KI@FK@:1K_\Ale`fi>lXi[f]_feflinXm\k_\ÕX^ 8E;K?