NATIONAL ASSEMBLY : 24th June 2008

 

Madame Speaker, 

The principal act of 1996 made provision for pensions to be paid to persons who had made sacrifices to establish democracy in South Africa and as a result were not in a position to provide for a pension, and for the payment of lump sums to eligible dependents in the case of deceased persons. 

The principles underlying the original Act were sound and the IFP therefore supported it.

However, in the intervening years a large number of so-called implementation difficulties or challenges arose that led to an inequitable situation as far as the treatment of pensioners and survivors are concerned.

The bill before the House today aims to address these difficulties and the inequities that arose.

The IFP supports the overriding objective of the bill which is to extend pensions and benefits to a wider group of qualifying persons.

In particular, we support the extension of the right to a special pension to persons who were 30 but not yet 35 on 1 December 1996; extension of the right to a spouse's or orphan's pension; and extension of the rights to funeral benefits.

However, the IFP will be remiss in its duty if we did not point out that the same problems that occurred in 1996 could again occur if the new provisions are not properly communicated to the public. Then, almost 6000 late applications were received - a situation that could be ascribed to lack of information and knowledge. 

We therefore call on the Minister and National Treasury to ensure that those who qualify for the extended benefits are made aware of this fact and the procedures for applying. Civil society and political parties and organisations should also play a role in this awareness campaign and by assisting potential beneficiaries.  

In conclusion, the IFP supports the bill, but we want to emphasise that the new group of beneficiaries need more than hand-outs in the form of special pensions. Rather, they need skills training and development programmes that will enhance their suitability for the job market.   

In this regard, all government departments, but particularly Labour and the Youth Commission, should take the lead and provide the necessary assistance to this group of persons.

Thank you