Hansard: Reply by President to Debate on State of the nation address

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 20 Feb 2013

Summary

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Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 21 February 2013 Take: 35

THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2013

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

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The House met at 14:06.

The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

FIRST ORDER – REPLY BY THE PRESIDENT

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 21 February 2013 Take: 35

START OF DAY

REPLY BY PRESIDENT TO DEBATE ON STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy Speaker, hon Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members of the House, special guests, next year, South Africa will mark 20 years of freedom and democracy. In celebrating this milestone, we will recommit ourselves to achieving a truly united, nonracial, nonsexist, democratic and prosperous society.

We have come a long way since 1994, and South Africa is definitely a much better country today than it was then. [Applause.] We have a Constitution that extends equal rights to all, born out of the experience of the domination of one group by another, and an oppressive state. From the ashes of apartheid colonialism, hatred and divisions, we committed ourselves to build a new society, a South Africa that is a home for all, especially the black majority that had been excluded for centuries.

It has not been an easy road, as President Mandela told us in 1994. It is a long road to the type of society we want to achieve, but we are getting there steadily.

isiZulu:

Yinde le ndlela esiyihambayo.

English:

Madiba warned us too, at the birth of democracy, that none of us, acting alone, can achieve success. Informed by that message from President Mandela, in 2009, the Fourth Administration came into being, with the core message, Working together, we can do more.

The state of the nation address 2013, outlined the progress made in bringing about a better life, based on the 2009 electoral mandate. We had announced five priorities then – education, health, rural development and land reform, the fight against crime, and creating decent work. We gave an account of what government has done in implementing its 2009-14 programme of action. As outlined in the state of the nation address, the economy is our biggest focal point, especially during this time of global economic recession and slow economic growth.

As we strive to boost the competitiveness of our economy in a gloomy global climate, we are encouraged by some reports that have come out recently. Last week, the global business and audit advisory firm, Grant Thornton, stated that South Africa has maintained its position as the leading emerging economy on the African continent, in terms of potential investment destinations. [Applause.] The report, entitled Emerging Markets Opportunity Index: High Growth Economies, ranked the 27 largest emerging economies in terms of their potential for business investment. It reported that South Africa had climbed one place, to 14th position. [Applause.]

Ernst & Young, in its report, also said local economic fundamentals were sound and that a steady acceleration of growth over the medium term was expected. However, they also pointed out that the country's short-term economic challenges, such as the current account deficit and debt levels, needed to be addressed in the upcoming 2013 Budget. The Minister of Finance will deliver the Budget Speech next Wednesday.

According to an average weighting by the World Bank, Transparency International and the World Economic Forum, among others, South Africa is among the highest-ranked emerging markets. [Applause.] More importantly, investors also realise these advantages and are continuing to invest in South Africa. Our tax relief incentives announced in 2011 have resulted in an increase in foreign direct investment.

We can count the recent investment of R800 million in Boksburg by Unilever, which is one of their largest investments, globally. The Swiss multinational, Nestlé, has opened two new factories in the town of Babelegi, north of Pretoria. [Applause.] This is part of a R500 million investment in its South African operations, and creates over 130 permanent jobs in the process. The Department of Trade and Industry has also approved applications from our local manufacturers, such as Tiger Brands, Aspen and Nampak. Building on these successes, we continue to deal with the factors that constrain growth and keep jobs away.

A key intervention in this regard is our rolling infrastructure programme. The Ministers of Economic Development and Public Enterprises provided detailed reports on the infrastructure projects and the progress we are making. This, surely, assisted those hon members who claimed not to know what the infrastructure programme has achieved to date. [Applause.]

In line with the National Development Plan, NDP, we are also building partnerships to promote investments, support small, medium and micro enterprises, SMMEs, or to improve the energy supply, as part of a further unlocking of growth. We are improving skills development, hence the expansion of the training of artisans and people in other scarce skills, as outlined by the Minister of Higher Education and Training. We are also building and strengthening trade links with the fastest growing parts of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa.

Also important is the need to restore stability on the mines. The Minister of Mineral Resources is currently meeting with the affected parties to address the challenges in that sector. I urge all stakeholders to commit themselves to this process.

Youth unemployment has been raised sharply in the debate. The hon Manamela and the hon Makhubela-Mashele outlined the necessary mechanisms that can assist us in dealing with youth unemployment. [Applause.] We come from a culture of engagement and seeking consensus on issues. It is for this reason that youth unemployment has been tabled at NEDLAC for discussion by social partners. They have discussed a broader range of youth employment incentive schemes.

These incentives will complement the current short-term employment initiatives, such as the Expanded Public Works Programme, the National Rural Youth Service Corps, the Community Work programme, programmes within the SA National Defence Force, and many others. It is sad that the hon Adams has such a gloomy view of the country and youth development initiatives. Hopefully, she will soon join in and be part of finding solutions.

Let me emphasise that we are, indeed, very happy with the progress made in other priorities, as well, for example, in the health sector. The past trend of a decline in life expectancy has been reversed, and life expectancy is now firmly on an upward trend. [Applause.] I suggest that hon members in the opposition may have missed information on this important national achievement, which has excited even the United Nations and research institutions. At the same time, the battle against the pandemic still continues and we dare not become complacent.

Hon Bhoola, you are correct. [Laughter.] [Applause.] [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Order! Order!

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Hon Speaker, my apology for my flu still stands, so if I keep on attending to it ...

isiZulu:

... akusho ukuzithanda nje, ukuthi ngiyaziqhenya cha ...

English:

I am dealing with a problem.

When we reaffirm the Constitution, let us also reaffirm the fundamental right to life. The right to life and the right to the safety and security of women and children are paramount.

While welcoming the significant decrease in overall serious crime, we, once again, strongly condemn the shocking, barbaric and inhuman cases of rape that have taken place in our motherland. They need to be condemned fully by all of us. [Applause.] Some of these have gone beyond women and girls, as there have been reports of boys being molested, as well. We have directed the police to show no mercy to perpetrators of these crimes. As outlined by Minister Radebe in this debate, we will re-establish the Sexual Offences Courts to complement the work of the Sexual Offences Units in the SA Police Service. [Applause.]

However, there are aspects of this crime that go beyond the criminal justice system. The hon Mphahlele stated correctly that legislation alone would not be sufficient to liberate women from the yoke of male domination, and that we have to work on our attitudes in public and in private. The hon Motshekga, the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, reminded us that, as much as we develop interventions, programmes and campaigns to stem this tide, we can all agree that the roots of this violence and the notion that life is cheap can be traced back to our dark and unjust past. Therefore, we must look at what it is that we should be doing to prevent such horrendous crimes. How do we build stronger and more cohesive communities?

We also need to look at how we can promote values that define human beings, such as respect for human life, respect for the next person and their property, basic ubuntu and other values that cement the social fabric of our society. I met with religious leaders last year, who raised the need for a national discussion, as they also felt something has seriously gone wrong in our society.

As we head towards the 20th anniversary of our freedom, we need to look into this matter seriously, as leaders. We must build on the work of the Social Cohesion Summit that took place in Kliptown last year, and begin the work of healing the nation, as various sectors of society. We need stable communities to participate actively in the transformation of society. The Department of Basic Education is already looking at inculcating values of nationhood at a very early age, promoting rights and responsibilities amongst children.

We acknowledge and applaud the good work of many civil society organisations that are raising awareness about violence against women and children, and the many other issues affecting society. In addition, we are happy that the National Assembly will host a debate on gender-based violence next week. As Madiba taught us, none of us, working alone, can achieve success; working together, we will do so much more.

The hon Kilian reminded us to look more broadly into other aspects that affect the status of women. She raised concerns about the Traditional Courts Bill. Indeed, since its introduction, the Bill has been criticised for being flawed for a number of reasons. Among these are the following: that it is unconstitutional, in that it prohibits legal representation in traditional courts; that it does not contain provisions to ensure that women form part of the courts, nor does it go far enough to ensure that women can participate actively in the deliberations of the courts; that it entrenches the Balkanisation of traditional communities in accordance with the boundaries of the old tribal authorities of the defunct Bantustans; that it restricts access to justice by denying the right of persons to opt out of the traditional justice system and pursue redress of their matters in courts of law.

All of these concerns, and more, should be addressed during the parliamentary processes, as the Bill is currently before Parliament. In other words, we have an opportunity to look at this Bill again from Parliament, and therefore deal with those matters that we believe need to be rectified in it. So, we are going to have an opportunity to do so. [Applause.] As government, we have heard the concerns loudly and clearly, and that is why we believe the opportunity should not be missed once it comes back to Parliament.

Hon members spoke at length about education, which indicates that we are agreed on this being the apex priority in our country. We are happy with the huge increase in the number of children attending Grade R, from around 300 000 in 2009 to close to 800 000. [Applause.] This demonstrates our determination to fix education from the foundations upwards, and we will certainly succeed in doing so, because we have examined what the pitfalls and problems in education are, and we are now applying remedies.

The hon Shenge takes issue with the Annual National Assessment, Ana, tests which measure literacy and numeracy levels. The first Ana results in 2011 supported our diagnosis that things needed to change in the basic education sector in order to produce better results. The Basic Education Delivery Agreement identified a number of required changes, including the introduction of workbooks and the training of teachers. These are being implemented. The 2012 Ana results indicate that these changes are starting to bear fruit in the lower grades.

In fact, on this matter, I think we can say we are now rising from centuries of problems in education. We are solving the problems. However, of course, in the process of raising these issues, uMntwana kaShenge felt it was necessary to raise the issue of the letter that he wrote to me after joining the opposition in the call for a no-confidence debate.

I certainly have no difficulty with the opposition joining hands. It defines a particular political landscape, in one sense, if you all understand what democracy is. People are free to choose partners, to choose those they can work with. [Laughter.] However, it does also define the fact that some people, as parties, find it difficult to have their own, distinct views on issues. [Applause.] They must hang onto others, and feel very proud. "We are together, we are together," they say. [Laughter.] Fine - that is democracy! [Applause.] [Interjections.]

The reality, however, is that it is always good in a democracy when there is a view you can identify – this is party X; this is party Y. Once it is blurred, you do not know which is which; it is a problem! [Laughter.] However, the critical point ... perhaps before I come to my critical point, I should explain something to you. You must differentiate between an alliance, which is not a party in Parliament, and parties, which are in Parliament individually, brought here by those who voted for their programmes. They come here and push other people's programmes. [Applause.]

The alliance is an alliance of organisations that was forged in the struggle. Those other parties are not here as individual parties. They are an alliance in a different way, so you cannot compare it. [Interjections.] Parties contest elections, and they are voted for ...

The SPEAKER: Order, hon members, order!

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: ... by voters on the basis of their programmes and what they will come to Parliament and fight for. While they are in Parliament, they abandon that; they campaign for other positions, advanced by other parties. [Interjections.] [Applause.]

Leaving that aside, we are politicians. It paints a particular picture of the political landscape in the Parliament of South Africa. [Interjections.] The identities of some parties are beginning to disappear. [Interjections.]

The point I was raising is that, in the debate, uMntwana wakaPhindangeneraises an issue. I have a problem conflating these issues, because he is here in Parliament, and joins the people that he feels he thinks together with, to support a particular motion. Thereafter, uMntwana writes a letter to me, having acted with other parties, to explain to me why he did so. He then expects a response from me! [Interjections.]

Now, I have a problem, because uMntwana wakaPhindangene and I have had a lot of confidential discussions, and I have always respected that confidentiality. In fact,uMntwanawill remember I am not in the habit of writing letters. If I want to talk to him, he knows I will ask for a meeting and discuss whatever the issue is. The issues may be highly confidential or party related. Therefore, I do not want to respond to that matter. I just think it is a little uncomfortable, because each time there is a debate here, I have got to be reminded about the letters. I then have to raise a whole range of other issues which I have raised in confidence, and I do not think it is correct.

It looks like whatever goes wrong, whether it is in the IFP, or wherever, I must be the one to blame. [Interjections.] I could even raise some very humble advice I have given in the past. It is confidential. I cannot talk about it here. I do not think it is right.

Part of the reason I have this problem is that we went to a prayer meeting requested by His Majesty the King. We were given a chance to speak there, and I was given the blame for things that are happening in this country. I do not think this is right, and I would really request that we should not ask to continue with that, otherwise I am going to raise issues, and I could even say what the issues were that we raised and discussed. Let us not score points in the wrong way. [Applause.] [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: What point are you rising on, Sir?

Prince M G BUTHELEZI: Mr Speaker, if His Excellency allows me, I just have two small questions to ask. [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: I would rather we did not open a discussion.

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Let him ask. Ask the two questions.

Prince M G BUTHELEZI: Pardon?

The SPEAKER: I would not want to open a discussion. We want the President to continue ...

Prince M G BUTHELEZI: But the President has nodded that he gives me permission ... [Interjections.] ... the President turned to you and nodded to you. In other words, he has no objection to it.

The SPEAKER: Mr President, are you prepared to take a question?

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Yes, I am.

The SPEAKER: Proceed, Sir.

Prince M G BUTHELEZI: Speaker, I would merely like to ask his Excellency the President: Is it not true that there were other letters I wrote to you, in fact, congratulating the ANC on their 90th anniversary? [Interjections.] – I am speaking to the President, not to you – and I received no ... [Inaudible.]

In any case, I would be very grateful if His Excellency expanded and told me about the advice that he gave me. Yesterday, some of your Ministers referred to the fact that – repeating almost what your Excellency said to me – you think I should retire, because there are people who are saying some things about me ... [Laughter.] ... you think I should retire. Your Excellency, before Mangaung, worse things were said to you ... [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Hon members, please! Order!

Prince M G BUTHELEZI: Worse than what was said to me was said to Your Excellency, and actually, I do not even understand why it should not be the same, when the SA Communist Party and Cosatu have a partnership with the ruling party.

The SPEAKER: Hon member, this is not a question, this is more of a statement. [Interjections.] [Laughter.] Proceed, hon President.

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Thank you, hon Speaker. Certainly, as you correctly say, I thought there would be very serious questions, but it was just a comment on what has happened. [Laughter.] Fine.

I have said I do not want to discuss things which are discussed in confidence. I am not going to deviate, but I thought it was important to make the point that I do not really appreciate the scoring of points the way it has been done. It has been continuing and I am saying it here in Parliament because it is often done here. It must not continue, because it is not right that we discuss other things elsewhere and you raise them in Parliament when they are not relevant to the discussion. Well, that is going to force me to answer, but I am saying I am not going to answer, partly because I respect uMntwana,and he knows it very well. When I have an issue with him, I ask for a meeting. We discuss it. I have done it many times. That is the point I am making, and I am just saying let us disabuse ourselves of that kind of situation. [Interjections.]

Prince M G BUTHELEZI: Sir, what many times is many times, Sir? [Interjections.]

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: It is many times. What is many times? Many times is many times. [Laughter.]

The SPEAKER: Hon President, please proceed! [Applause.]

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: We urge hon members to work closely with schools in their constituencies and to support them to ensure an improvement each year. Members of Parliament cannot be spectators; education is a societal issue.

Allow me to correct the hon James, who said I failed to establish the link between improved remuneration for teachers and performance. Let me remind him of what I said:

The Remuneration Commission will also assess the return on investment. In elevating education to its rightful place, we want to see an improvement in the quality of learning and teaching and the management of schools. We want to see an improvement in attitudes, posture and outcomes.

Had he listened, he would have heard these words – that there was a link that was made.

The hon Godi spoke strongly about the need to enhance the capacity of the state to deliver on government programmes. We agree that a lot must be done in this regard. We have already put in place a number of initiatives since 2009 to improve the functioning of the state. The monitoring of management practices by the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in my Office is already starting to bear fruit in a number of areas. For example, the average time taken to fill a funded vacancy in national and provincial departments has improved from nine months in 2010 to four months in 2012. [Applause.] The responsiveness of departments to cases referred to them by Chapter 9 institutions and from the national Anti-Corruption Hotline has improved.

The average time taken to issue an ID book has been reduced from about 150 days to about 30 days. [Applause.] The bar-coded green ID book will be replaced by a new ID smart card in the 2013-14 financial year. [Applause.] The smart card is intended to prevent fraud. Furthermore, the average time taken to process an application for a social grant has decreased from 30 days in 2010 to 21 days in 2012. [Applause.]

As the hon Ministers Sisulu and Manuel pointed out, the training of public servants, including managers, will be prioritised to further improve the capacity of the state. This should also bring in much-needed skills and reduce the money we pay to consultants, which the Auditor-General and many hon members here have raised the alarm about. It is also an undertaking made in the National Development Plan, that the culture and orientation of the Public Service will change for the better. It is for this reason we say that if we are to pay public servants better, we want a return on our investment.

We have also put in place mechanisms to improve citizen care and make the Public Service friendlier and more responsive. We still have a long way to go, but we have made a start. Important amongst these is the Frontline Service Delivery Monitoring programme. Over 300 unannounced visits were undertaken during the past year by officials from the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation and Offices of the Premiers. Repeat visits to sites indicate that, in many cases, the monitoring has resulted in some improvements.

In this regard, Minister Sisulu is correct in her assertion that some of our public servants work diligently, putting in many hours a day to improve services to our people. A model example is that of Ms Pearl Bhengu, Mr Mondli Mazibuko and the staff at the SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, office in Umzimkhulu. After an unannounced visit, they acted on the findings and improved queue management, provided chairs and a shelter for the waiting area, and ensured that toilet facilities were working. [Applause.]

I personally undertook visits to many areas under the Siyahlola Presidential Monitoring programme. For example, in Umzimkhulu, we assessed the poor state of municipal services; in Ngobi village, Hammanskraal, we went to check on the water delivery situation; in Gauteng, it was a review of public transport; and in the Eastern Cape, the visit concerned the delivery of school infrastructure. Ministers will be undertaking many similar visits this year, as well, so that communities can raise concerns and suggestions directly with them.

We also continue to interact with the public through the Presidential Hotline. By 31 January 2013, citizens had logged more than 154 549 cases with the Presidential Hotline, of which 89% have been resolved. [Applause.] Mr Sitilibana Mkoka from Centani Village, Butterworth, in the Eastern Cape, was able to obtain a wheelchair after calling the hotline on 31 January 2013. [Applause.] Mr Herbert Memela from Gauteng was paid by the Department of Energy for services rendered after the intervention of the hotline. There are many more examples of citizens who have been assisted.

The culture of putting people first is being inculcated gradually. A better and more caring Public Service is possible, as illustrated by these cases. It should also be an inclusive Public Service, with more women in senior positions, and also one which strives to achieve the 2% employment ratio for people with disabilities. [Applause.]

Land is a topical issue, given the centenary of the 1913 Land Act this year. The hon Dikobo correctly pointed out the need to disabuse ourselves of the notion that the ownership of land and farms by Africans represents a threat to food security. Indeed, we agree that with more post-settlement support, all newly-owned farms will continue to be productive. In fact, we have had a lot of discussions in government, given the experience since we began the process of restitution. The hon Minister Nkwinti explained the four pillars of land reform and our intention to rebuild the class of black farmers and improve food security.

The hon Dikobo also mentioned that he receives complaints that people are asked for membership cards when they try to access opportunities in the Expanded Public Works Programme or the Community Work programme. This is totally unacceptable. I have asked Minister Chabane to look into this matter, and I am sure the hon member will assist so that we can get to the bottom of this. No person must get services because he carries one particular card and not another. It is not acceptable. We cannot accept it. [Applause.]

Hon Mfundisi, we have noted your request for the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission, PICC, to look into the Koster-Lichtenburg Road in North West. Similarly, the hon Holomisa has suggested that the PICC should to look into building a railway line between Mthatha, Kokstad, Queenstown and East London. We noted that.

I must also say, though, as a person who has also been listening to that debate in Parliament, he seems to be a Member of Parliament that works for his constituency. Generally, hon member, you raise matters about your constituency, while other members talk about anything under the sun. You really look after your constituency. I have to appreciate that. [Applause.] As a result, I do not know what constituencies other members have, and whether they have them at all. However, thank you very much for being consistent for the sake of the people who sent you here. [Applause.] I have asked the Chairperson of the PICC Management Committee, Minister Nkwinti, to look into both requests.

Hon Holomisa, I have also directed the Department of Basic Education to immediately look into the case of the Tshadama Secondary School in Vhembe district, Limpopo, whose principal wrote to you, citing overcrowding and other difficulties. In addition, I have been assured by the Department of Transport that the problems relating to the terminal building at Mthatha airport are being attended to, with a view to completing the building by April this year, as scheduled. [Applause.]

We received feedback from people who viewed the state of the nation address at 55 centres around the country, as arranged by the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS. The viewers were happy about the report-back on various issues, such as education, crime-fighting, rural development and health. They wanted more focus on youth unemployment, education, housing, basic services, rural development and sustainable jobs. Farm workers said they needed an assurance from the President that government has a plan to deal with the backlash from farmers following the increase in the national minimum wage of farm workers from R69 to R105 per day. In this regard, we will continue engagements with the farmers and farm workers. Many more issues were raised that will inform our communication programme with the public, going forward.

With regard to the way forward, Minister Manuel asked what binds us as a nation and as Members of Parliament. He reminded us that the Constitution binds us all. In addition, we have all adopted the National Development Plan, which outlines the type of society we want to build and gives effect to the Constitution. The plan, developed by the National Planning Commission, originates from a directive in the 2009 ANC election manifesto. We had said:

We will ensure a more effective government; improve the co-ordination and planning efforts of the developmental state by means of a planning entity to ensure faster change.

That planning entity was thus established in 2009 in the form of the National Planning Commission in the Presidency. From this year, every government department or entity will have to factor elements of the NDP into their plans.

More effectively and comprehensively, we have begun developing adraft medium-term strategic framework for 2014-19, as the first five-year building block of the National Development Plan. Our cross-cutting strategies, such as the New Growth Path, the Industrial Policy Action Plan, departmental strategic plans, Annual Performance Plans, Municipal Integrated Development Plans and every other government plan will fall under the umbrella of the National Development Plan. [Applause.]

The framework will be precise and clear in identifying indicators and targets to be achieved in the period from 2014 to 2019. The first draft of the 2014-19 NDP-aligned framework should be ready for a thorough discussion at the July Cabinet lekgotla. This can then be refined so that it can be submitted to Cabinet for approval as soon as possible after the 1914 elections. We look forward to a new way of doing things and a new culture, so that by 2030, we can say that we have arrived at the South Africa we all envisaged in 1994.

The hon Cronin stated that opposition parties had sidelined themselves from the broad consensus-building processes under way in the country to address our many challenges. He was sceptical about their ability to join the mainstream. Unlike the hon Cronin, I am optimistic. I believe they will join the mainstream. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

As we move towards the 20th anniversary of freedom, there should emerge a common thread of patriotism that binds us all. Even if we disagree on many things, and whether we are here as the ruling party or the opposition, it is important that, as parties, we identify common things that are nationally strategic, that we can all rally around. [Applause.] In that way, in many years to come, should anyone other than the ANC be in charge – in so many years from now that I cannot even count them! ... [Laughter.] ... – at least, South Africa will be a country for all of us. We will all benefit – not on the basis of what ideology or beliefs we have. That is what we need to be working towards achieving. [Applause.]

That is why, at times, I worry that the opposition politics may go beyond the level where one can say, "As much as this one is in opposition, he loves his country, or she loves her country". We must be constructive. We must help the country to move forward. Elections come and go, but we must build South Africa. [Applause.]

We should put South Africa first. We all have a patriotic duty and the responsibility to build and promote our country. [Interjections.] In other words, we should, at times, reduce the rhetoric and grandstanding. We can do that type of thing in our free time. However, if we deal with matters of the country, of the nation, we need to bring in that seriousness about where we are going.

The National Development Plan 2030 provides a perfect vehicle for united action precisely because it has the support of South Africans across the political and cultural spectrums. Leaders in every avenue should be ready to rise above sectoral interests, and with greater maturity, pull together to take this country forward. When we go abroad, we should read from the same script, saying that South Africa is always a good country, and indeed, a destination for investment; it is a country open to business, and South Africa is the best destination for any investor who is serious about returns on their investment. [Applause.] We believe it is possible to do so, if we decide to put the country first and act in the national interest. We can disagree on as many issues as we want to, but we have to find issues where we put South Africa and our people first.

As an aside, when I was talking about elections, I must have talked about 1914. It is 2014. I must correct that for the Hansard purposes, so that I do not declare different dates!

In closing, let us draw inspiration from the words of our icon, President Mandela, our first President of the democratic South Africa. At the birth of our democracy, he had this to say:

We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation-building, for the birth of a new world.

Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement!

God bless Africa!

[Applause.] I thank you. [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

The House adjourned at 15:15.

/Robyn - Eng/

/Malungi, Gugu, Lungile – isiZulu/

END OF TAKE

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