Hansard: State Of The Nation Address by the President, Jacob Zuma

House: Joint (NA + NCOP)

Date of Meeting: 08 Feb 2012

Summary

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Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

JOINT SITTING

09 FEBRUARY 2012

PAGE: 1

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,13 Feb 2012,"Take 2 [National Assembly Chamber Main].doc"

THURSDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2012

PROCEEDINGS AT JOINT SITTING

___________________________

Members of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces assembled in the Chamber of the National Assembly at 19:00.

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

CALLING OF JOINT SITTING

The SPEAKER: Hon members, the President has called this Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in terms of section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read with Joint Rule 7(1)(a), to enable him to deliver his state of the nation address to Parliament. I now invite the honourable the President to address the Joint Sitting. [Applause.]

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Hon Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces; Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP; Deputy President of the Republic, the Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe; Former Deputy President FW De Klerk; Former Deputy President Baleka Mbete;

Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic, and all esteemed members of the Judiciary; Honourable Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum and Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Mr Lovemore Moyo;
hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers; Honourable Minister of International Relations of the Republic of Angola, Mr Rebelo Chikoti; Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Julio Baloi; Distinguished Premiers and Speakers of our provinces; Chairperson of Salga, and all local government leadership; Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders; Heads of Chapter 9 Institutions; the Governor of the Reserve Bank; Leaders of all sectors from business, sport, traditional and religious leaders; members of the diplomatic corps; special and distinguished guests; fellow South Africans, dumelang, good evening, goeienaand, molweni, thobela, abuxeni! Hon Speaker, Hon Chairperson of the NCOP, I would like to extend warm greetings to all on this important day.

It is an honour to speak to South Africans in this House and in their homes and viewing centres around the country. I also extend a warm welcome to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners, representing 146 countries, with which South Africa has diplomatic relations. We value your presence in our country.

Compatriots and friends, this state of the nation address takes place during a significant year in the history of our country, the centenary of the ruling party, the African National Congress. [Applause.] In marking this occasion we are recognising the work of all South Africans in bringing about a truly free, nonracial, nonsexist, democratic and prosperous country.

We wish to single out the former presidents of the ANC who led our struggle for liberation and of creating a better life across generations. We salute John Langalibalele Dube, Sefako Makgatho, Zac Mahabane, Josiah Gumede, Pixley ka Isaka Seme, A B Xuma, J S Moroka, Chief Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. [Applause.]

We welcome the families of the former ANC presidents who are our special guests this evening. [Applause.] We also recognise other components of the liberation movement, the Black Consciousness Movement, which was led by Mr Steve Biko, whose son Samora Biko is also our special guest tonight ... [Applause.] ... and the Pan-Africanist Congress, which was led by Mr Robert Sobukwe.

We acknowledge, too, the contribution of the late former MP Ms Helen Suzman, who was a lone voice in this very House, speaking out against oppressive laws. [Applause.]

Hon members, compatriots and friends, the year 2012 is also special because it marks the 16th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic, which gives full expression to our democratic ideals. The Constitution is South Africa's fundamental vision statement, which guides our policies and actions. We reaffirm our commitment to advancing the ideals of our country's Constitution at all times.

Compatriots and friends, at the January Cabinet lekgotla we decided to undertake a mid-term review, looking at progress from 2009 until now instead of the usual annual review. The mid-term review indicated steady progress in various areas such as health, education, the fight against crime, human settlements, energy, water provision, rural development and others. However, the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality persists, despite the progress made. Africans, women and the youth continue to suffer most as a result of this challenge.

IsiZulu:

Somlomo nosihlalo abahloniphekileyo, njengekhabhinethi kazwelonke sithathe isinqumo sokuthi kufanele senze ngokwedlulele, ukukhulisa umnotho wezwe, ukuze siqede lezizinkinga zokwesweleka kwemisebenzi, ubumpofu kanye nokungalingani ezweni.

Ilezo zinto ezintathu esizobhekana nazo ngqo, kulonyaka naseminyakeni ezayo. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follow.)

Compatriots, when freedom was attained in 1994, South Africa inherited a problem of structural unemployment which went back to the 1970s. Employment continued to decline in the 1990s and the early 2000s due to slow growth and declining employment in gold mining and agriculture. While jobs grew rapidly during the boom of 2003 to 2008, unemployment did not fall below 20%.

Employment received another setback in the recession of 2008. Fortunately, government entered the 2008-09 recession with healthy public finances, and a comparatively low level of debt. This allowed for a flexible response to deteriorating economic conditions. For example, we increased spending on social security and on infrastructure development to stimulate the economy, mainly through the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup build programme.

Informed by some of these difficulties and the need to move away from piecemeal planning, we took a decision in 2009 to establish the National Planning Commission and asked them to produce a national development plan for the country, informed by the Constitution of the Republic.

The Commission released the first draft of the National Development Plan, which looks at where we want to be in 20 years' time for consideration. The Plan also directly addresses the elimination of poverty and inequality as critical points that must be attended to.

The solution for the country, therefore, is higher growth and job creation to reduce and ultimately eradicate poverty and inequality.

As a developmental state that is located at the centre of a mixed economy, we see our role as being one of leading and guiding the economy and intervening in the interests of the poor, given the history of our country.

Informed by this responsibility, in 2010 we launched the New Growth Path framework and identified our job drivers as infrastructure development, tourism, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and the green economy.

We declared 2011 the year of job creation, and mobilised our social partners, namely business, labour and the community sector, to work with us in implementing the New Growth Path. The results are encouraging, although we are not out of the woods yet, given the global economic situation.

The fourth quarter's figures, released on Tuesday, indicate that the rate of unemployment has come down from 25% to 23,9% owing to new jobs being created. [Applause.]

During 2011, a total of 365 000 people were employed. This is the country's best performance since the recession of 2008. What is also important is that all the new jobs are in the formal sector of the economy, in sectors such as mining, transport, community services and trade, to name a few.

There are two main things that we did right in 2011 which are contributing to this joint success. Firstly, we mainstreamed job creation in every government entity, including state-owned enterprises. Secondly, we strengthened social dialogue and co-operation between government, business and the community sector.

The Accords, signed by government, business and labour, on procurement, skills development, basic education, and the green economy, confirm our common purpose and determination to build this country. Government alone cannot solve the challenges faced by the country, but working together, solutions are always possible.

Compatriots, let me take this opportunity to report back on the undertakings made in the State of the Nation Address last year.

The Jobs Fund, which we announced last year, began operating in June. Over 2 500 applications were received in the first round. Project allocations of over R1 billion have been committed.

We had also announced R20 billion worth of incentives under section 12(i) of the Income Tax Act, designed to support new industrial projects and manufacturing, and seven projects with an investment value of R8,4 billion were approved.

The procurement regulations empowering the Department of Trade and Industry to designate specific industries where local content is prescribed came into effect in December.

The sectors include clothing, textiles, canned vegetables, leather and footwear. Progress has also been made in amalgamating small business institutions, and a new entity will be launched this year.

We had announced R10 billion to be set aside by the IDC for job creation. To date, about R1,5 billion has been approved for 60 companies to promote job creation.

Compatriots and friends, the mining industry, one of the job drivers in the New Growth Path, plays a critical role in the socioeconomic development of the country.

As part of addressing the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment, government has developed a beneficiation strategy which seeks to provide opportunities in the downstream part of the minerals sector.

We remain committed to the creation of a favourable and globally competitive mining sector, and to promoting the industry to attract investment and achieve both industrial growth and much-needed transformation.

Hon Speaker, hon Chairperson of the NCOP, hon members, the work done last year indicates that if we continue to grow reasonably well, we will begin to write a new story about South Africa - the story of how, working together, we drove back unemployment and reduced economic inequality and poverty.

It is beginning to look possible. [Applause.] We must not lose this momentum.

For the year 2012 and beyond, we invite the nation to join government in a massive infrastructure development drive.

IsiZulu:

Baba Somlomo noSihlalo we-NCOP, sizoqala umkhankaso omkhulu wokwakha izingqalazizinda ezweni lonke. Lokhu kuzophakamisa izinga lomnotho, futhi kuveze amathuba emisebenzi. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)

Compatriots, we will use the project management expertise gained during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup to make this project a success.

The infrastructure plan will be driven and overseen by the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission, the PICC, which was established in September, bringing together Ministers, Premiers and Metro Mayors under the leadership of the President and the Deputy President.

The PICC has identified and developed projects and infrastructure initiatives from state-owned enterprises as well as national, provincial and local government departments. These have been clustered, sequenced and prioritised into a pipeline of strategic integrated projects.

We have chosen five major geographically focused programmes, as well as projects focusing on health and basic education infrastructure, information and communication technologies and regional integration.

These projects are as follows: Firstly, we plan to develop and integrate rail, road and water infrastructure centred around two main areas in Limpopo, the Waterberg in the western part of the province and Steelpoort in the eastern part. [Applause.]

These efforts are intended to unlock the enormous mineral belt of coal, platinum, palladium, chrome and other minerals in order to facilitate increased mining as well as stepped-up beneficiation of minerals. [Applause.] Using the developments in Limpopo as a base, we will expand rail transport in Mpumalanga, connecting coalfields to power stations. [Applause.] This will enable us to decisively shift from road to rail in the transportation of coal, which has caused a deterioration of the roads in Mpumalanga. [Applause.]

The eastern parts of the North West province will also benefit from the greater focus on infrastructure connected to mining and mineral beneficiation.

Secondly, we will improve the movement of goods and economic integration through a Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor. [Applause.] This project is intended to connect the major economic centres of Gauteng and Durban as well as Pinetown and, at the same time, connect these centres with improved export capacity through our seaports.

In this regard, I am pleased to announce the Market Demand Strategy of Transnet, which entails an investment, over the next seven years, of R300 billion in capital projects. [Applause.]

Of this amount, R200 billion is allocated to rail projects and the majority of the balance to projects in the ports.

Amongst the list of planned projects is the expansion of the Iron Ore Export channel from 60 million tons per annum to 82 million tons per annum. [Applause.]

It also includes various improvements to the Durban-Gauteng Rail Corridor and the phased development of a new 16 million tons per annum manganese export channel through the Port of Ngqura in Nelson Mandela Bay. [Applause.]

The Market Demand Strategy will result in the creation of more jobs in the South African economy, as well as increased localisation and black economic empowerment. It will also position South Africa as a regional trans-shipment hub for sub-Saharan Africa and deliver on Nepad's regional integration agenda. [Applause.]

We have also been looking at the necessity of reducing port charges as part of reducing the cost of doing business. The issue of high port charges was one of those raised sharply by the automotive sector in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage during my performance monitoring visit to the sector last year.

In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the Port Regulator and Transnet have agreed to an arrangement which will result in exporters of manufactured goods receiving a significant decrease in port charges during the coming year of equal to about R1 billion in total. [Applause.]

Thirdly, we will develop a major new South Eastern node that will improve the industrial and agricultural development and export capacity of the Eastern Cape region, and expand the province's economic and logistics linkages with the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. [Applause.]

In the former Transkei part of the Eastern Cape, we are committed to building a dam using the Umzimvubu River as the source in order to expand agricultural production. [Applause.]

In addition, the implementation of the Mthatha revitalisation project, which is a Presidential Special Project, is proceeding very well. [Applause.] Work is at an advanced stage to improve water, sanitation, electricity, roads, human settlements, airport development and institutional and governance issues.

Fourthly, in the North West, we will expand the roll-out of water, roads, rail and electricity infrastructure. Ten priority roads will be upgraded. [Applause.]

Fifthly, we see enormous potential along the West Coast of the country and need to improve infrastructure to unlock this potential.

Sesotho:

[To be inserted with applause and laughter - and translated.]

Our plans include the expansion of the iron ore rail line between Sishen in the Northern Cape and Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape ... [Applause.] ... which will create large numbers of jobs in both provinces. Kwakho Ntombazana. [It is your province, Miss.] [Laughter.]

The iron ore capacity on the transport side will increase capacity to 100 million tons per annum.

This will allow for the expansion of iron ore mining over the next decade to feed the developing world's growing investment in infrastructure and industrial activities.

Compatriots, we have also identified critical social infrastructure projects. These include projects aimed at laying the basis for the National Health Insurance system such as the refurbishment of hospitals and nurses' homes.

A total of R300 million has been allocated for the preparatory work towards building new universities in Mpumalanga and the North West. [Applause.]

Siswati:

Wena wekunene. [You, the honourable one.]

Another infrastructure project with great potential is South Africa's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope in partnership with eight other African countries. The winning bid will be announced next month. We urge you to support the country's bid. [Applause.]

Lastly, our infrastructure work extends beyond our borders. South Africa champions the North-South Road and Rail Corridor, which is part of the African Union's Nepad Presidential Infrastructure Championing initiative.

Work in this regard comprises various interrelated projects that cover roads and railways, border crossings, energy and information and communication technologies.

Compatriots, the massive investment in infrastructure must leave more than just power stations, railway lines, dams and roads. It must industrialise the country, generate skills and boost much-needed job creation.

I will convene a Presidential infrastructure summit to discuss the implementation of the plan with potential investors and social partners. [Applause.]

Hon Speaker, hon Chairperson of the NCOP, I would now like to discuss matters relating to the extension of basic services, addressing inequalities, peace and security and social cohesion.

I received a lot of valuable correspondence in the run-up to the State of the Nation Address. Such interaction enables us to keep in touch with our people and their needs.

I received an e-mail relating to a housing problem from Mzukisi Mali, a public servant from the Fingo area in Grahamstown. He wrote:

In 1994 my income was too high to get an RDP [house] and too low to get a bond. This continued until to date. I have three children and my wife is not working.

When I apply for an RDP (house) I am told that I do not qualify and cannot get a bond because I am risky to the banks.

That is a problem that faces people in a certain category in this country. It is a reality. [Applause.]

Fortunately, we have gone some way to address the problem facing Mr Mali and many others.

In 2010 we announced a R1 billion guarantee fund to promote access to loans. We are pleased to report that this fund will start operating in April ... [Applause.] ... managed by the National Housing Finance Corporation. The scheme will enable the banks to lend to people who are in a similar situation to that of Mr Mali.

In addition, from April, people earning between R3 500 and R15 000 will be able to obtain a subsidy of up to R83 000 from provinces, to enable them to obtain housing finance from an accredited bank.

Nesingakafiki kuye siyeza. [We are still coming to those whom we have not yet reached.]

IsiZulu:

Ungalilahli ithemba Mr Mali nabaningi abanye, kuzolunga ngenxa yalomxhaso ozotholakala kohulumeni bezifundazwe, kanye nalomshwalense omusha ozokwenza kubelula kumabhange ukuthi aniboleke imali. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)

Compatriots, there is an ongoing concern from business and communities about the high cost of electricity. I have asked Eskom to seek options on how the price increase requirement may be reduced over the next few years in support of economic growth and job creation, and to give me proposals for consideration.

We need an electricity price path, which will ensure that Eskom and the industry remain financially viable and sustainable, but which remains affordable especially to the poor. [Applause.]

However, to achieve sustainability a pact will be required with all South Africans, including business, labour, municipalities, communities and all customers and suppliers.

We must save electricity. [Applause.] For the next two years, until the Medupi and Kusile Power Stations come into operation, the electricity system will be very strained. We should all play our part in order to avoid load shedding.

To increase energy capacity, we will continue searching for renewable energy sources, especially solar electricity and biofuels as we implement the Green Economy Accord with economic stakeholders.

To date, we have installed more than 220 000 solar geysers nationwide. [Applause.] The government's target is one million solar geysers by 2014 to 2015.

Hon members, compatriots, government continues to extend access to basic water supply. However, clearly, water access is still a challenge in some areas. An e-mail from Mmatsheko Pine from Hammanskraal is a case in point.

The writer says, and I quote:

There is the area called Ngobi near Hammanskraal, under Moretele Local Municipality; the people residing in the area are now old, aged and mostly sick.

The area has been without water for the past two years. People rely on rain to harvest water.

There are water pipes and machines installed but the problem is said to be [the] pressure to pump water. Could your office kindly assist with the powers that be?

I have asked the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs to investigate this matter with a view to finding an urgent solution.

Water expansion has been delayed in some parts of the country due to a lack of infrastructure. This is being attended to. For example, five new water augmentation schemes are on schedule.

These are the Olifants River Water Resource in Steelpoort in Limpopo, the Vaal River Eastern Sub-System in Secunda in Mpumalanga, the Komati Water Augmentation Scheme in Nkangala in Mpumalanga, the raising of Hazelmere Dam in KwaZulu-Natal and the Clanwilliam Dam in Clanwilliam in the Western Cape. In addition, 9 out of 25 dams have been rehabilitated.

In relation to the announcements we made during the United Nations' Cop 17 Climate Change Conference, an amount of R248 million is to be invested over next two years to deal with the issue of acid-mine water drainage in the Witwatersrand.

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the interministerial committee on Cop 17 for making the conference a huge success. [Applause.]

The final outcome of Cop 17 was historic and precedent-setting, ranking with the 1997 conference where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted.

Building on the success of Cop 17, South Africa will participate in the Rio Plus 20 Summit in Brazil, which marks the 10th anniversary of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Hon Speaker and hon Chairperson of the NCOP, our intensive focus on education is paying off. We are pleased that the matric percentage pass rate is on an upward trend. [Applause.] We congratulate the teachers, learners, parents and the communities on their efforts.

We will continue to invest in producing more teachers who can teach mathematics, science and African languages.

Compatriots, our call to teachers to be in school, in class, on time, teaching for at least seven hours a day remains pivotal to success. [Applause.] We thank the teacher unions for supporting this campaign. [Interjections.] [Applause.]

A major achievement is the doubling of Grade R enrolment, from 300 000 in 2003 to 705 000 in 2011. [Applause.] We appear poised to meet our target of 100% coverage for Grade R by 2014.

To fight poverty and inequality and to keep learners in school, over 8 million learners attend no-fee schools while over 8 million benefit from government's school feeding scheme. [Applause.]

Last year national government instituted a section 100(1)(b) intervention in the Eastern Cape to assist the department of education to improve the delivery of education.

Problems included nondelivery of textbooks, nonpayment of scholar transport, excess teachers and, generally, a poor culture of learning and teaching.

The implementation of the intervention will continue and we are working well with the province in this regard. Sizimisele ukwenza immeko yemfundo ibengcono eMpuma Koloni. [We are committed to improving the situation within the department of education in the Eastern Cape.] We call on all stakeholders to work with us to make this turnaround a success. And I must indicate we have, in fact, reached very positive agreements on this between national government and the province, and there are no longer any hitches. [Applause.]

Compatriots, during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, we resolved that the South African legacy would be to promote universal access to education.

School attendance in the country is now close to 100% for the compulsory band of seven to 15 years of age. But we remain concerned by the report of the General Household Survey in 2010 that just over 120 000 children in that band are not in school.

Grade 10 dropouts appear to be a problem, particularly in the rural and farming areas of the Western Cape. The national government will work closely with the Western Cape government to trace these learners and provide support so that they do not lose their future. [Applause.]

With regards to higher education, we are exceeding targets. Close to 14 000 learners were placed in workplace learning opportunities over the past year, and over 11 000 artisans have completed their trade tests.

IsiZulu:

Siyajabula ukubona ukuthi liyanda inani lentsha efunda amakhono kulamakolishi abizwa phecelezi ngama-Further Education and Training Colleges.

Siyaninxusa bazali ukuthi nigqugquzele izingane zifunde kulamakolishi. Akufanele zicabange ukuthi imisebenzi ifundelwa emanyuvesi kuphela.

Siyawadinga amakhono atholakala kulamakolishi. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)

To expand access to the tertiary education that we announced last year, R200 million was utilised to assist 25 000 students to pay off their debts to institutions of higher learning.

Compatriots and friends, we congratulate the health sector as well as the SA National Aids Council, led by the Deputy President of the Republic, on the success of the HIV and Aids programme.

While we are doing well with regard to treatment and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, general prevention efforts must also be accelerated.

We also wish to encourage South Africans to live healthier lives. Mokgomana o kae, Ntate Nkabinde? [Where is Mokgomana, Mr Nkabinde?] He must talk to them some more. He is very passionate about the citizens of this country living healthier lives to reduce the impact of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. [Applause.]

The Minister emphasises that people should exercise as it is one of the four key elements that keeps one healthy. Ungaziyeki-nje ulokhu wanda, wanda. [You should not allow yourself to become overweight.] [Laughter.]

Compatriots and friends, the year 2013 will mark the centenary of the Natives Land Act of 1913, which took away 87% of the land from the African people. The Constitution requires that the state must realise the restitution of land rights for those who were dispossessed by the 1913 law. [Applause.]

We have only distributed 8% of the 30% target of land redistribution for 2014 that we set ourselves. The process is slow and tedious and there is general agreement that the willing-buyer, willing-seller option has not been the best way to address this question. [Applause.]

That is why have introduced a new policy framework, the Green Paper on Land Reform. We urge the public to participate in the process of improving land redistribution and reform to reverse the impact of the 1913 Act.

Hon Speaker and hon Chairperson, compatriots, on economic transformation, we are amending the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act. The amendments, amongst other things, establish a statutory commission that would deal with noncompliance and circumvention.

The proposed law will also criminalise fronting ... [Applause.] ... and other forms of empowerment misrepresentation.

With regard to issues of disability, we have directed all government departments to ensure that we meet the target we set several years ago of 2% disabled persons in the Public Service. [Applause.]

We are also working towards a Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill to promote compliance in both government and the private sector and to provide for sanctions in the case of noncompliance. [Applause.]

Meanwhile, the Nedlac Process on the Atypical Forms of Employment and Labour Broking has now been completed. Government seeks to eliminate all forms of abusive practices inherent in labour broking in order to strengthen the protection of vulnerable workers. [Applause.] We trust that common ground will be found on this matter this year.

Compatriots, in 2009 we made a commitment to accelerate the fight against crime and corruption. The crime statistics for the period 2010-11 indicate that our country witnessed a decline of 5% in the number of reported serious crimes compared to the previous year.

We will, however, not become complacent. We are continuing to implement our programmes to make South Africans feel free and safe. We also continue to improve the performance of the state in various ways, including the fight against corruption.

The Multi-Agency Working Group on Procurement led by the National Treasury, Sars and the Financial Intelligence Centre is reviewing the entire state procurement system to ensure better value for money from state spending. [Applause.]

Initiatives include the vetting of supply-chain personnel in government departments. [Applause.]

To further improve security, the Department of Home Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the banking industry to roll out the online fingerprint verification system in all participating banks to assist in fraud prevention and detection. [Applause.]

Compatriots and friends, we are working with various provinces to improve governance, systems and administration. These include Gauteng, to improve health service delivery, the Free State, to improve transport and roads, and Limpopo, to improve governance and financial administration in five departments, including the provincial treasury. [Applause.]

We welcome the launch of Corruption Watch by Cosatu, as well as the recent agreement between government and business to implement anticorruption programmes. [Applause.] These interventions will complement the work of government in combating corruption.

Compatriots and friends, as part of promoting social cohesion, this year we will undertake and continue many heritage projects. Museums and centres to be unveiled will include the 1980 Matola Raid Museum in Maputo ... [Applause.] ... the Ncome Museum in KwaZulu-Natal, phase 2 of the Freedom Park Museum and the Steve Biko Heritage Centre in Ginsberg in King William's Town. [Applause.]

We have also prioritised the homes and graves of former ANC Presidents and other national heroes, including Thomas Maphikela, Lilian Ngoyi, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Griffiths and Victoria Mxenge, Robert Sobukwe and others. [Applause.]

Memorial sites to be prioritised include that of the Pondo Revolt ... [Applause.] ... the sites of the Frontier Wars, the 1913 revolt by African women in the Free State ... [Applause.] ... the 1957 antipass revolt by women in Zeerust ... [Applause.] ... the Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchells Plain, where the United Democratic Front was formed ... [Applause.] ... and the Gugulethu Seven Monument in Cape Town. [Applause.]

We are also in the process of purchasing and rehabilitating the Winnie Mandela House in Brandfort ... [Applause.] ... the Dr Moroka House in Thaba Nchu and the Bram Fischer House in Westdene. [Applause.]

Additional projects include the launch of the Dube Tradeport and the unveiling of the statue of John Dube at King Shaka International Airport next month, and the renaming of the King's House Presidential Residence in Durban after Dr Dube. [Applause.]

The Presidential Guest House in Pretoria will be named after Mr Sefako Makgatho ... [Applause.] ... and the Diplomatic Guest House in Pretoria after the late prolific diplomat Mr Johnny Makatini. [Applause.]

Government will also table the National Traditional Affairs Bill, which makes provision for the recognition of the Khoisan communities ... [Applause.] ... their leadership and structures. It is important to remember that the Khoisan people were the most brutalised by colonialists who tried to make them extinct, and undermined their language and identity. As a free and democratic South Africa today, we cannot ignore correcting the past. [Applause.]

I discussed this matter extensively with the Khoisan community when I met with them in Cape Town last year and we agreed to work together to redress the injustices of the past.

Compatriots, next year, 2013, the seat of government, the majestic Union Buildings, will mark 100 years of existence, and planning will start this year to mark the centenary. [Applause.]

Fellow South Africans, we must perform better in sport this year! Our star performer, Oscar Pistorius, has set the standard for the year by winning the 2012 Laureus Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award. [Applause.] Congratulations on this achievement.

We also congratulate the national women's soccer team, Banyana Banyana ... [Applause.] ... for qualifying for the London Olympics for the first time. [Applause.] With our support, they will do well.

We have been given the honour to host the Africa Cup of Nations next year ... [Applause.] ... replacing Libya as they are unable to do so.

Certainly, as you know, Bafana Bafana ... [Interjections.] [Laughter.] ... have our gods on their side. They do not qualify, but they always play. [Laughter.] [Applause.] We certainly hope that this time round they will get to the final. [Laughter.] [Applause.] We must give them lots of support.

Compatriots, allow me to use this opportunity to extend the heartiest congratulations and good wishes to Mama Rebecca Kotane, wife of former ANC Treasurer General and Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Moses Kotane, who will turn 100 years old on Sunday, 12 February. [Applause.]

Another centenary is that of the Young Men's Guild of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Amadodana aseWesile ... [Applause.] ... which is also celebrating 100 years this year. [Applause.] Yet another centenary is that of Omama Besililo of the United Congregational Church of South Africa. [Applause.]

IsiZulu:

Isanto likaDube lelo, noPixley ka-Seme, noLuthuli noMahabane. Ukhona nomunye naye osonta khona. [Ihlombe.] [Uhleko.] [This is the church of Dube, Pixley ka Seme, Luthuli and Mahabane. I know someone who also attends that church. [Applause.] [Laughter.]] We wish them all success in their celebrations.

Compatriots, we have outlined a busy infrastructure implementation programme for now until 2014 and beyond.

I would like to appeal to all our people to join hands, as they always do, as we deal decisively with the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Nobody will do this for us; it is in our hands. And we are all equal to the task. [Applause.]

As we get back to work tomorrow, let us internalise the words of the ANC Women's League founding president, Charlotte Maxeke, who said in her Presidential address to the National Council of African Women:

This work is not for yourselves - kill that spirit of self, and do not live above your people, but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you.

I thank you. [Applause.]

The Joint Sitting rose at 20:19.

END OF TAKE

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