” Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mufamadi announced a national indaba of ministers, mayors and council managers to deal with the ”staggering” municipal debt — estimated at between R12-billion and R22-billion. The meeting is set for later this year after a study on municipal debt is presented to the Cabinet.
” The deadline for applications for the 51% share of the second national telephone operator has been postponed to October 31 because of ”an unprecedented downturn” in the global telecoms market. Recent scams have added to dampening investor interest, said Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri.
” Minister of Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said a six-month moratorium on hiring civil servants was in force to pave the way for the restructuring of the public sector. This follows agreement with trade unions in June on the contested restructuring.
” The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has earmarked scholarships worth R22-million for undergraduate students enrolled in ”scarce skills” degree courses, said Minister of Education Kader Asmal. He also announced that plans for an advanced information, communication and technology institute, a cooperative venture between the government, tertiary education institutions and business, are well under way and would be made public after the next Cabinet lekgotla. A rethink on funding for poor schools, especially in rural areas, as part of the government’s overall poverty alleviation drive, is also on the cards.
” Minister of Housing Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele has defended the controversial Community Reinvestment Bill, insisting it will not go against good banking practices. Instead banks will have to provide equitable access to housing loans through creative packages to the lower end of the market. The banking sector maintains bonds were feasible only for those who earned at least R4 000 a month, or a quarter of the population.
” South Africa has beaten the post-September 11 air travel lull to become the best performing international tourist destination, says Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Valli Moosa.
” Frequent overseas travels of President Thabo Mbeki and his Cabinet ministers were necessary because of South Africa’s leading role in the African Union and ”the broader international scene”, said Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad.