DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM GEOMATICS PROFESSION BILL 2013 A Briefing to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform of the Republic of South Africa Date: 12 March 2013, Cape Town A Briefing to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform of the Republic of South Africa Date: 12 March 2013, Cape Town

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM BACKGROUND  Need for New Act: provision of mechanisms to accelerate transformation of Geomatics Profession. Current Act (Professional and Technical Surveyors’ Act, 1984) needs modernisation & Constitutional alignment; also excludes other Geomatics categories, e.g. geospatial information sciences; Bill initially termed “Surveying Profession Bill” (SPB) to transform the Surveying Profession; BUT Following consultation with various stakeholders, change to “Geomatics Profession Bill” (GPB) was adopted to encompass all fields of Geomatics There is no work reservation in present Act. 2 2

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM INITIAL PROCESS (SPB)  Planning Profession Act of 2003 used as model for the Bill  Also considered other new legislation: Architects, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Valuers: All Acts passed in 2000  Initial Draft (SPB) approved by Deputy Minister and Minister(2005)  Published (SPB) for public comment (2005)  Workshops (SPB) to sense public comment, specifically from the Profession (2005/06) 3 3

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM INITIAL PROCESS (GPB)  GPB Process started in 2008  In 2009 was the Bill was part of the legislation programme.  Same year the priorities of the Department changed.  Focus was mainly on Rural Development change.  In June 2010 further consultation was conducted with all stake holders, private and public.  Comments were received and incorporated  Published (GPB) for public comment (2010)  Comments were sourced also from Department of Higher Education.  In 2011 the GPB was submitted to Cabinet Committee 4 4

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM PRINCIPLES OF THE GPB . Profession to be more inclusive of related fields e.g. land, mine and engineering surveying ; geospatial information sciences, etc.  Council members appointed by Minister. Nominations through transparent process. CURRENT ACT : only Institutes may nominate members. GPB : 4 members representing State (3 from DRDLR, one from DMR); 5 members not state employed; 1 member from the public; 1 member from Council of Higher Learning 5 5

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM PRINCIPLES OF GPB, cont’d  Four registration categories :  Candidate geomatics practitioner  Geomatics technician  Geomatics Technologist  Geomatics Professional  Each category has different branches, like Mine surveying, Engineering Surveying, etc  State will fund Council (currently Council is funded solely from fees paid by registered persons) 6 6

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM CHAPTER 1  Explains definitions in context of Bill  Sets out Geomatics Profession principles applicable to Council and its registered persons, which guide interpretation, administration and implementation  Highlights interests of the public  Obliges Council to achieve transformation and high standards of quality and integrity 7 7

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM CHAPTER 2  Provides for establishment of Council, its composition, committees, powers, duties, functions, meetings, administration and disqualification of its members  Regulates the decision process of Council  Provides for the Council’s funding; keeping and auditing of records 8 8

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM CHAPTER 3  Provides for registration of practitioners  Specifies the various categories and certification of registration  Outlines the identification of geomatics work and the reservation thereof  This will encourage eligible persons to register appropriately, thereby facilitating effective regulation of the Profession at large 9 9

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM CHAPTER 4  Provides for recognition of Voluntary Associations by the Council  Main object of Voluntary Associations would be the promotion and protection of the interests of the Geomatics Profession  Council will issue a Certificate of Recognition to voluntary associations, subject to compliance with rules set out in Section 30(2) 10

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM CHAPTER 5  Deals with professional conduct  Outlines a code of conduct and relevant requirements  Specifies process of dealing with improper conduct, rights, regulation of proceedings and sanctions 11

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM CHAPTER 6  Provides for establishment and functioning of Appeals Board  Specifies the composition of the board and the qualification of its members  Board members are appointed by Minister, who will enhance transformation process by ensuring transparency as well as gender, disability and other demographic representations 12

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM CHAPTER 7  Regulates general issues  Deals with professional fees, regulations and rules, administration procedures, delegation of powers, offences and penalties  Facilitates transitional provisions, repeal and amendment of relevant legislation 13

DEPARTMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT & LAND REFORM CONCLUSION  Approval of the Bill by Parliament will facilitate transformation, guarantee alignment with the Constitution and ensure inclusivity of all sectors of the Geomatics Profession  THANK YOU 14