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At its meeting today, Cabinet received and welcomed the new initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and SATOUR to market South Africa abroad, as part of a comprehensive strategy to develop tourism - jointly with business, trade unions and communities - into a rapidly-growing industry that creates more jobs.

The meeting approved Presidential nominees to the Judicial Service Commission, which have been finalised after consultation with parties in the National Assembly. These are:

* George Bizos
* Kgomotso Moroka
* Johnny Erentzen
* Judith Scheepers

Cabinet approved appointees to the Board of the National Development Agency, the main focus of whose activities in the coming months will be to develop a set of criteria for the funding of organisations and projects.

Cabinet also approved the following appointments of Deputy Directors-General in the Office of the Presidency:

* Ms Ann Letsebe - Cabinet Office
* Ms Lucille Meyer - Private Office
* Ms Dolana Msimang - Deputy President's Office

The following Bills have been approved for submission to Parliament:

* Higher Education Amendment Bill which will bring into force changes on such matters as the status of foreign students who are not permanent residents, appointment of financial managers and role of Principals and the Registrar in relation to the Senate and Council;

* National Student Financial Aid Scheme Bill which establishes the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and matters pertaining to the granting and administration of loans and bursaries;

* Pharmacy Amendment Bill which provides for the performance of community service by pharmacists;

* Gambling Matters Second Amendment Bill which ensures that the Northwest Development Corporation retains control in the share-holding of Sun International South Africa (SISA), and that there is no serious prejudice to government's investment in SISA;

* Tourism Amendment Bill which introduces a new tourist guiding system, including training, registration and code of conduct for tourist guides.

The meeting confirmed the appointment of Tito Mboweni as Governor of the SARB and as South Africa's Governor on the International Monetary Fund's Board of Governors. It also appointed Deputy Minister MB Mpahlwa as South Africa's Alternative Governor on the Board of Governors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

Cabinet agreed to recommend to parties in parliament that the annual increase in the salaries of public office-bearers, where applicable, should be at the level of 4%, which is not only inflation-minus one as earlier agreed, but which also takes into account increases proposed for public service managers.

For further information contact Joel Netshitenzhe

Issued by: GCIS, 18 August 1999

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