1. THE NATIONAL CONSUMER COMMISSION NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE 1

2. NCC MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY DR ROB DAVIES; DEPUTY MINISTER Me THABETHE DIRECTOR GENERAL DTI NTATE OCTOBER DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL Me NTULI ALL CEO’s, CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY DIGNITARIES AND ALL PRESENT AND ALL PROTOCOL OBSERVED DUMELANG BAGAYESO 2

3. NCC Today is A PROUD DAY FOR US as the National Consumer Commission for WE ARE AT THE DOOR STEP OF A MAJOR CONSUMER REVOLUTION 3

4. NCC This REVOLUTION is being ushered in by the promulgation and coming into operation of the Consumer Protection Act on the 01 APRIL 2011; This is an Act that for the first time protects CONSUMER RIGHTS IN AN UNCOMPROMISING MANNER IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN LANDSCAPE. 4

5. NCC The CPA also creates : Establishes the NATIONAL CONSUMER COMMISSION to ensure enforcement and protections of rights espoused therein; The much needed balance in the MARKET PLACE BY BALANCING BARGAINING POWER BETWEEN CONSUMERS AND BUSINESS; Provides a MECHANISM FOR REDRESS FOR CONSUMERS. 5

6. OUTLINE During my speech today i will deal with two basic issues: Systems put in place in anticipation of the launch; Key initiative to be undertaken by the commission going forward especially in the next financial year. 6

7. ACTIVITIES TO DATE 1PROVINCIAL VISITS Worked tirelessly Provincial visits Visited all nine provinces Some of the provinces we had the pleasure of meeting members of their consumer tribunals or Courts We explored resource availability specifically Rank of official heading the office Systems and turn around times with respect to dispute resolution IT systems Areas of co – operation Recommendation to the Minster to be discussed with his the MEC’s of the different provinces Synchronising the systems so that same quality of service irrespective of complain is lodged 7

8. ACTIVITIES TO DATE 2MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – MOU’s Visited strategic alliance partners to formulate strategies on how to work together and thus better discharge our mandate SABS; NCRS; ICASA etc To date have concluded MOU WITH THE SABS Very important; We will be using them through their labs to test products; This allows us to commence with the work at hand from day one; Thank SABS CEO and team for making this happen 8

9. ACTIVITIES TO DATE 3PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS 3.1 Imbizos Imbizos for five of the nine provinces Three pre 01 April and balance post 01 April Target traditional leaders and rural communities Large amount of abuse in rural communities Identified as one of the class of vulnerable consumers in terms of the CPA NGO groups in the province also targeted Prominent and important role in Consumer Protection arena Report on status of NGO’s CONFIGURATIONS OF NGO’s Accreditation of NGO’S as Consumer Protection Groups 9

10. ACTIVITIES TO DATE PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS-II 3.3 Workshops Industry Professional associations Chambers of commerce MEDIA NGO’S 10

11. ACTIVTIES TO DATE PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS-III 3.3MUNICIPALITIES Major Municipalities; Speak about compliance; Ensure properly educated and prepared; Government must lead by example. 11

12. PUBLICATION OF KEY DOCUMENTS Guidelines on complaints handling and investigation; Guidelines on Accreditation of ombud schemes; Guidelines on Accreditation of ADR agents; Terms of reference with respect to establishment of the OPT – OUT Register. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2011- 2014 12

13. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4NCC APPOACH 4.1PROACTIVE 4.2REACTIVE 13

14. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 THEME FOR THE NCC THEME TO GUIDE ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY PUBLIC AWARENESS THEME FOR 2011- 2012 NCC AND UPLIFTMENT OF THE RURAL CONSUMER 14

15. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4.1PROACTIVE 4.1.1Identify three sectors Mandate for NCC in terms of the CPA is broad Need to address on bit at a time 4.1.2Felt that need to annually identify three sectors to investigate Assess compliance with the CPA Assess practises in the industry in question Publish report on identified transgressions Invite consumers who have been victims of the said practises to lodge complaints with the NCC Ensure corrective measures to prevent future transgressions – finalise compliance orders or consent orders 15

16. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4.1.3The three industries identified for investigation by the NCC for the 2011/12 financial year are : ICT SECTOR; MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL SECTOR; MOTOR SECTOR; MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICALS SECTOR. 16

17. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4.1.2Standing committees 4.1.2.1Purpose Continuous feed into the work of the NCC Keep abreast with the needs of consumers and challenges of industry 4.1.2.2Composition Consumer groups/NGO NCC Industry Regulators where interested 4.1.2.3 Initial standing committees Vulnerable consumers Industry Provincial consumer protection authorities 17

18. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4.1.3Imbizo’s QWAQWA IMBIZO is the first of many to be held in the different provinces; Target traditional leaders; Their rural communities; And Local Government Councillors. SPEAK TO RURAL COMMUNTIES BOUT The CPA; General transgressions; Sale of expired goods; Over priced goods; Unscrupulous trader; Bad quality service etc 18

19. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4.2 REACTIVE 4.2.1PUBLISHED GUDELINES ON COMPLAINTS HANDLING AND INVESTIGATIONS; 4.2.2COMMIT TO TURN AROUND TIMES ADR – SIX WEEKS INVESTIGATIONS – SIX MONTHS 19

20. NCC PAMBILI NAMA CONSUMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! PILI LE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT!!!!!!!! 20

21. NCC THANK YOU KE YA LEBOHA NGI YA BONGA 21