Hansard: NA: Reply by President to Debate on State of the Nation Address

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 20 Feb 2014

Summary

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Minutes

THURSDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2014

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

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The House met at 14:00.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – see col 000.

REPLY BY PRESIDENT TO DEBATE ON STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Hon Speaker; hon Deputy Speaker; hon Deputy President, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe; hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers; hon members of this House ...

... izivakashi zethu esinazo namhlanje kule Ndlu yeSishayamthetho ... [... our guests for today in the National Assembly ...]

... fellow South Africans, thank you for the opportunity to respond to the debate on the 2014 state of the nation address.

Allow me to extend a warm welcome to the Minister of Local Government of the Palestinian National Authority, Dr Al-Koni. [Applause.] He and his delegation are in the country for bilateral discussions with our Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Ministry. Their visit will further cement our relations with Palestine.

We also welcome students from the Glen Agricultural College in the Free State and the representatives from the Kalk Bay fishing community. [Applause.]

Samukela zonke ezinye izivakashi ezikhona namhlanje lapha ePhalamende. [We welcome all the other visitors present in Parliament today.]

Let me thank all hon members who participated in the debate. Our message has been loud and clear. Twenty years of freedom and democracy have changed the face of our country. The last five years have further advanced change and a better life for all, especially the poor and the working class. Our country is a much better place to live in now than it was before 1994. [Applause.]

The freedom-loving people of our country, led by the ANC, put an end to apartheid, established a thriving constitutional democracy and laid a firm foundation for progress towards inclusive growth and prosperity. Indeed, we have a good story to tell. [Applause.] The ANC government is the first to admit that more must still be done. Some communities are still waiting to experience the change that has swept across other areas.

We have made progress under difficult conditions, especially in the past five years. Our government came into office during a crippling recession. As a result of the economic crisis, government has accumulated more debt to support the economy, increase infrastructure investment and maintain social programmes. Hence, national government debt is expected to reach 45% of the gross domestic product, GDP, in 2015. This is still relatively low compared to some developed and other emerging-market countries.

The government's level of debt was 48% in 1994. This level was reduced to 46% in 1999, and reached the lowest level of 27% of GDP in 2008, before the impact of the global financial and economic crisis. The Minister of Finance will deal with such matters next week in the Budget.

The more we tell the good story of the success of our country, the more we realise how much more we still have to share with the country and the world. Let us take the dynamic growth in telecommunications as an example. The sector's revenue grew to R179 billion in 2011, having been worth R8,2 billion in 1993. There are 67 million registered sim cards, and by 2012, 14 million people used the Internet, with many doing so via cellular phones. By January 2013, there were more than 6 million registered Facebook users in South Africa, and over 5 million Twitter users, with over half tweeting from a mobile phone. That indicates a growing, modern economy.

The hon Nkwinti also reminded us of the good story of rural development. [Applause.]

Izindawo zasemakhaya ezazinganakiwe sezakhelwa imigwaqo. Abantu emakhaya sebekhanyisa ugesi. Sebethola namanzi ahlanzekile.

Izikole zikanokusho ziyakhiwa emakhaya kanye nemitholampilo imbala. Ezolimo nazo ziyakhula. Indlala siyayixosha impela. [Ihlombe.] Yingakho nje sithi leNingizimu Afrika esihlala kuyo namhlanje, ingcono kakhulu kunale esasiphila kuyona ngesikhathi sobandlululo.

Yebo, kusekhona okusadinga ukwenziwa. Zisekhona izindawo ezingakathuthuki. Basekhona nabantu abasalinde izidingo. Sithi kubo bonke abasalindile, ababekezele sizofika nakubona. [Ihlombe.] Lohulumeni awusoze uphumule ungakaqedi ukushintsha zonke izindawo ezihlala abantu, ikakhulukazi abampofu. [Ihlombe.] Ngisho kungasithatha iminyaka, siyogcina sifinyelele kuzo zonke izindawo ngoba kulapho esiphokophelele khona. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)

[Roads were built in rural areas which were previously neglected. Rural communities now enjoy the use of electricity. They also have access to clean water.

Good schools and clinics are being built in rural areas. There are also developments in agriculture. We are eradicating poverty in earnest. [Applause.] That is why we say the South Africa we live in today is much better than the one we lived in during apartheid.

I agree that we still have much work to do. Development in some areas is still lagging behind. Some communities are still awaiting service delivery. We wish to appeal to those who are still waiting to be patient with us, we will eventually reach them. [Applause.] This government will never rest until the lives of all people, especially those in poor communities, are changed. [Applause.] Even if it takes some years, we will eventually reach all areas because that is our target.]

The ANC government has learned from the experience of the past 20 years. We know what policies work and what does not work.

The hon Meshoe is curious about what we are going to be doing in the next five years. What a good prediction that we are going to be there all the time! [Applause.] All you asked is what we are going to do. The next five years will be about moving South Africa forward, building on the successes of the past 20 years and the past five years. We will focus, yet again, on the five priorities we identified in 2009. These are education, health, the fight against crime, rural development and land reform, as well as creating decent jobs. We will also continue to expand access to housing and basic services.

More importantly, after the elections, the country will enter a new radical phase in which we shall implement socioeconomic transformation policies and programmes that will meaningfully address poverty, unemployment and inequality. It is a phase of focusing on economic transformation, in particular.

We have achieved political freedom. Now, we must achieve economic freedom ... [Applause.] ... and ensure that the ownership, management and control of the economy is deracialised further. We will also ensure that we build an inclusive economy, the growth of which will result in more jobs for our people, building on the current successes in job creation.

We have put before the country the National Development Plan, NDP, which will be an integral part of the draft Medium-Term Strategic Framework that will be discussed by the first Cabinet lekgotla after the appointment of the new government. Within the vision of the National Development Plan, three critical policy instruments will continue to drive government's policy agenda. These include the New Growth Path, which promotes inclusive job-creating growth; the National Infrastructure Plan; and the Industrial Policy Action Plan.

Hon Bhoola, we are, indeed, working to promote an inclusive economy and one that is not run by the minority perpetually. Over R600 billion in black economic empowerment, BEE, transactions have been recorded since 1995. However, fronting has also escalated, thus distorting the picture of our transformation. The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Bill was signed into law on 27 January 2014. It seeks to prevent the distortions such as fronting, while also reorienting broad-based black economic empowerment, BBBEE, towards the productive sectors of the economy, such as industrialisation.

Work is also under way to establish the BBBEE Commission and to implement various aspects of the law to create meaningful opportunities for black people, women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The hon Mulder decried affirmative action, but in looking at statistics, it is clear that we need to do more. The number of black people and women in senior management has increased from less than 10% in the 1990s to over 40% today, which is a good achievement for the country. [Applause.] However, it is not enough. Each year, the Employment Equity Report releases statistics that indicate that the economy is still controlled by white South Africans in terms of senior and top management positions. We must therefore intensify the implementation of affirmative action policies in order to deepen reconciliation and social cohesion in our country.

I think it is important to look at the reality. This cry over affirmative action does not want to disappear, and I think it is a failure to understand the history of this county. There was a very deliberate, long-term programme to exclude the black people from the economy. The economy was structured racially. For many years, laws were repeatedly made in the apartheid Parliament to ensure that black people did not do business wherever they wanted to – that they ended up at a particular level, in terms of what type of business they could do.

Now, to believe that that can correct itself is the biggest mistake, I think. It can't. It is very important that, in the manner in which we correct this, we use affirmative action to bring those who were left outside in the cold, in everything, into the economy so that they participate. [Applause.] If we do not do so, we will be denying the reality of a racial South Africa and the damage it caused to this country.

I do not know what informs this cry about affirmative action. I really don't know, because even if you look at the development today, the gap continues. We did not say the whites should not participate in the economy. We didn't. We said, Let them participate, but let us open the space for the black people to participate also, so that they can grow. [Applause.] We could not have done that without bringing about affirmative action.

It is vitally important, and if need be, we could debate that issue. I think it is very important for those who don't realise it. People don't realise that the black people are not complaining about their exclusion for centuries. In this country, they are not. They are saying, Let us all walk together. Let us grow the economy so that we can deal with that legacy of apartheid.

This cry is an unnecessary one because it provokes a debate that we don't want to enter into. [Interjections.] I think it is a mistaken cry. [Applause.]

Many speakers have referred to employment. Some have highlighted the jobs growth of 653 000 net new jobs created in the past 12 months that contributed to the highest level of employment yet in our history. Others have pointed to the continuing large challenge of unemployment and the need to create new jobs. Both these views are correct. We lost many jobs during the global economic crisis, as many countries did. It was not only in South Africa. It was not, in any way, mismanagement of any kind. It was a global crisis that affected everyone. Jobs were lost in all countries, even those that you think are the best at managing themselves. There is no country that could escape the global economic crisis. What is important to note, however, is that all those jobs have been recovered, and the economy has created additional new jobs. [Applause.]

Let me also remind some sections of the opposition that the private sector accounts for over 70% of GDP, and roughly the same proportion of employment in the country. The private sector is therefore the primary job creator. The role of government is to create the right environment for business to operate optimally. [Applause.] We have been playing that role, as we believe that the state must intervene actively in the economy in the interests of the poor and the working class. [Applause.]

Minister Davies spoke about many incentives that we have put forward to encourage investments and job creation in various sectors. We also have a few other interventions to boost job creation. The Jobs Fund that we launched in 2011 with a startup capital of R9 billion has processed more than 3 000 applications. The Jobs Fund has approved 66 projects and has committed more than R3 billion. To date, more than 8 000 new permanent jobs and 4 000 short-term jobs have been created. More than 25 000 beneficiaries have received training.

In addition, the development finance institutions have also been directed to invest in job-creating projects. The Industrial Development Corporation, IDC, has approved more than R50 billion in new industrial funding over the period of this administration. This has been in projects ranging from agro-processing, film-making, and the auto sector, to steel and engineering, clothing and textiles, mining, the green economy and tourism.

The Public Investment Corporation, PIC, has committed in excess of R38 billion in enhancing the productivity of the real economy, through economic and social infrastructure, enterprise development and renewable energy. Over 45 000 direct and indirect jobs have been created.

In addition, last year, I announced the National Green Fund with an R800 million allocation to promote investment in the green and lower carbon economy. This fund is completely oversubscribed with applications to the tune of some R10 billion. Investment of over R400 million has been approved in job-creating green economy projects in municipalities, other organs of state, community organisations and the private sector.

The formal economy cannot absorb all work seekers, which is why our Expanded Public Works Programme continues to be a success, having benefited 3,5 million people during the past five years. [Applause.] The DA pretends to have a problem with the programme but, at the same time, claims success in implementing it in the Western Cape, as the hon Harris did yesterday. [Interjections.]

The fact is that this innovation has made a massive impact on the lives of the poor, and those who know nothing about the poor, only have theory. They just talk about it. To those who don't know what to eat the following day, this programme is highly welcome. [Applause.]

After the state of the nation address, I had an opportunity to speak to the people of this country through 67 connected community radio stations. It was very interesting, because their response to the state of the nation address was totally different from that of the leaders who claim to be speaking on their behalf. [Laughter.] [Applause.] They are very happy. They asked very positive questions. They are not campaigning. They are dealing with real life. We have solved some of their problems already and they were appreciative of the fact that this country has changed.

Of course, it has changed for them. For those who have been staying in good places, perhaps nothing has changed. [Interjections.] I don't know. [Applause.]

Programmes, such as Working on Waste, Working for Wetlands, Working for Water, Working on Fire and the Youth Environmental Services Programme, have created about 750 000 work opportunities and more than 200 000 full-time, equivalent jobs since 2009. More than half of these beneficiaries were the youth. These are the young people that the hon Motau said are frustrated and desperate.

Actually, government is doing a lot to deal with that frustration. We also have about 200 000 participants in the Community Work Programme currently, who will obtain skills to enable them to join the formal labour market. This is yet another good story the democratic administration is telling. [Applause.]

As part of the continued engagement with the youth on matters of youth development and employment, a presidential youth indaba, under the leadership of the Deputy President, will be taking place. It will bring together young people in dialogue to assess where we are and what concrete steps we need to take to advance youth development. So, engagement with the youth continues in many ways, including creating jobs for them, enabling them to participate in looking for opportunities that will directly impact on them. As hon members can see, we are a government at work to boost economic growth and promote job creation, working with business, labour and other sectors, such as the youth.

Another good story of our 20 years of freedom is the advancement of worker rights and aspirations. It is the story of promoting trade union workplace organising, collective bargaining, equal pay for equal work, health and safety, affirmative action, skills development, minimum wages for workers in vulnerable sectors, the right to strike, and the right to peaceful protest. We agree that worker strikes should not be violent, and reiterate our call to employers and labour to use the country's impressive labour relations framework to resolve shop floor issues.

However, we cannot reverse the gains workers have made over the past 20 years. In fact, we continue to promote the rights of workers. We are working with social partners on the amendment of the Labour Relations Act, in order to provide security for temporary workers in the employ of labour brokers, which the hon Tshabalala referred to in her contribution. These workers get paid less than other workers doing the same job. They have no access to social benefits and cannot join trade unions to exercise their freedom of association and worker rights enshrined in our Constitution.

So, one has these types of workers who are deprived of certain rights because of the manner in which they are employed. That cannot be allowed to continue. It has to be corrected. [Applause.] Every South African must enjoy the constitutional rights. No situation must prevent anybody from enjoying some rights that are enshrined in the Constitution.

Many speakers have spoken about the work we have done in extending basic services. We have done exceptionally well in extending these services. However, some hon members pointed out some deficiencies in the chain of service delivery in some areas. Some members spoke about infrastructure problems in water provision, and other challenges in local government which were raised by the hon Botha. The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency supports struggling municipalities with infrastructure planning and maintenance. This is done through the deployment of technical experts to help them with services, such as water supply, electricity or sanitation.

Hon members have also expressed concerns about the negative audit findings by the Auditor-General against departments. Also of concern is the excessive use of consultants in provinces, such as the Western Cape, where the Auditor-General has raised concern about the expenditure of R10 billion on consultants. [Interjections.]

An HON MEMBER: Under the ANC!

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: While acknowledging the concerns of the Auditor-General, we are also encouraged by the findings made by our former Auditor-General, who noted the emergence of a "pattern of positive outcomes" in government spending and accounting. He also advised that we needed to move quickly to sustain these improvements.

According to Mr Nombembe, not all negative findings were related to corrupt activities, as some members of the opposition want us to believe. Instead, he identified "the high vacancy rate and staff acting in senior management positions, including that of accounting officers" as part of the problem.

Since the enactment of the Public Finance Management Act, there has been a host of measures to try and improve financial management in the Public Service, led by National Treasury. Departments with negative audit findings are required to prepare audit improvement plans that set out clear actions to be taken to fix the problems identified by the Auditor-General.

Financial management experts are made available to departments, agencies and municipalities that need support in strengthening financial management systems and controls. Departments are also expected to employ the right personnel and to train those who need skilling in financial management. In addition, National Treasury has published the Municipal Financial Misconduct Regulations that will come into effect from 1 July 2014, for public comment.

We will continue to invest in improving the financial management capabilities of the Public Service, nationwide. It is for this reason that in 2011, we invoked section 100(1)(b) to take over the administration of certain departments in Limpopo province. I am pleased to report to the House that Limpopo has turned into a good story. [Applause.]

Limpopo had accumulated unauthorised expenditure of R2,7 billion, which dated back to 2001. A total of R2,2 billion has been cleared, cash management controls have improved and the province currently has a cash surplus of R4,2 billion. [Applause.] New leadership has been appointed within the Limpopo provincial Treasury, and systems to manage the tender and procurement processes are being put in place.

Wasteful practices have been eliminated and the Department of Education is delivering textbooks at a low cost. [Applause.] More than 2 000 qualified educators who were previously working as temporary teachers have been fully appointed and permanently deployed to the schools where their services are required. Progress is being registered in other departments, including health, roads and transport.

Many officials in the Limpopo province are being held accountable for their actions that led to the need to intervene. Prosecutions are under way by law-enforcement structures. Forensic investigations have produced 38 cases and 42 people have been arrested for corruption. The Limpopo turnaround is, remarkably, a good story. [Applause.] We congratulate the province.

We had also taken over some departments in the Free State in 2011 and they have also registered a good story. Major financial management improvements in the provincial Treasury and the Department of Police, Roads and Transport are clearly evident. Both departments are observing high levels of compliance with budgetary and other legislative prescripts, as well as achieving positive audit outcomes. The Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport has, for the first time since 2007, received an unqualified audit opinion, while the provincial Treasury has achieved a clean audit outcome for two consecutive years. We congratulate the Free State, as well, for this successful turnaround. [Applause.] The success of the interventions demonstrates the seriousness of this government when it comes to improving governance and financial management.

Hon members, we made education an apex priority of our government. Personally, education is closest to my heart. I want to see every child, especially those from poor households, being able to follow their dreams and become engineers, doctors and whatever they want to be in this country. [Applause.] Poverty must not be a barrier to education.

The hon Pandor related the beautiful story of how we have met the Millennium Development Goal of Universal Access to Education and also that the number of girls attending primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions has improved significantly and is among the highest in the world. [Applause.] It is also important for us to ensure that children with disabilities are also accommodated in schools and provided with support.

Our performance in education, as outlined in detail by the hon Nzimande, indicates a country that has finally found the right formula on education. I trust that we will continue working together to improve education outcomes, so that our children do not ever experience the type of education that the hon Motsoaledi reminded us about yesterday.

The hon Moss spoke about the highly successful social security system, including pensions. The hon Matiwane welcomed grants but cautioned that social grants were unsustainable. The hon Mfundisi also questioned how social grants can be waved as an achievement and asked how we can build a nation on handouts. Grants are the most effective poverty-alleviation mechanism in our process of addressing the legacy of apartheid. [Applause.]

By the way, there is a mistake that many people make when they look at South Africa: thinking that South Africa, over time, was developing like all other countries. They forget that South Africa was a very funny country – a very funny country with the majority being deprived of their rights for centuries. With self-government and independent government within South Africa and with South Africa, it was a very funny arrangement. Some South Africans were even deprived of their South African passports and given some other passports.

If you take the 20 years and compare South Africa with any country that never experienced racial discrimination, you are missing the point. If you begin to comment on the basis that this country is failing to move, when the country has moved so fast within such a short space of time – something that no country on the continent has ever done ... [Applause.] - that is part of the mistake that people make when they make comparisons.

Therefore, when we deal with the issue of social grants, it is not because we are saying this country is going to live on these. We are dealing with a problem and we have no other way of dealing with it – of helping those who have absolutely nothing to have something to put on the table. In the meantime, whilst we are developing the country, the economy must, indeed, change the quality of lives.

If you talk about unemployment, for example, a very big percentage of those people who are unemployable have no skills because they were deprived of an education. We have got to deal with that. That is why we have even introduced adult education – so that the citizens of this country are turned around and can become something else.

Now, when people make criticisms, they don't take this into account. They almost talk as if democracy came to a country which was like any other country – normal. South Africa was totally abnormal. [Applause.] Therefore, if you comment on the 16 million people who benefit, you must appreciate that we are tackling a very serious problem that touches the ordinary people of this country, the poor; and if you don't know poverty, you were one of those who were advantaged during apartheid. You will never understand this. It always surprises if you see those who know this situation pretending to come from some other planet. It is absolutely surprising! [Applause.]

You know, those people still suffer today. If you want to see that, come to Cape Town. [Interjections.] There are two cities in one, in Cape Town ... [Interjections.] ... and there is no improvement ...

The SPEAKER: Order! Order!

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: ... no improvement made to other people, to those who were disadvantaged. In fact, it is as if they have not started. [Interjections.] If anything, they are called refugees in their own country! [Interjections.] [Applause.]

That is a continuation of that system that still remains in some people's minds – that, in South Africa, if you move from one place to another, you have got to be called a refugee because you have come to somebody else's place. That is a problem. If you don't understand where the black majority comes from, then you are going to dream the whole day, probably for two days, in Parliament. [Laughter.] [Applause.] [Interjections.]

It must also be noted that the majority of beneficiaries of social grants, 11 million specifically, are vulnerable children. The rest of the beneficiaries are older persons receiving the old age pension, persons with disability, military veterans, and other vulnerable persons. Social grants therefore assist vulnerable members of our society. [Applause.]

The hon Van Wyk reminded us of the good story and the progress being made in the fight against crime, including the expansion of the police station network around the country. This is in addition to an extensive expansion of access to justice through the building of more courts. A total of 43 new courts have been built since 1994, and nine of these courts were built in the 2009 to 2013 period. This is but one effective way of promoting access to justice.

Hon members, one of the good stories of our freedom is the transformation of the SA National Defence Force, SANDF, into a force for peace which is highly regarded on the African continent and worldwide, due to the role we play in peacekeeping. Tomorrow, we will celebrate Armed Forces Day in Bloemfontein. We will pay tribute to the men and women who serve this country with pride and dedication. [Applause.] We will also pay tribute to the first Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF, President Nelson Mandela. [Applause.]

This year, all nations the world over mark the centenary of the beginning of the First World War in 1914. More than 16 million people died in the war, including 616 black soldiers, who died when the South African ship, the SS Mendi, sank in English waters on the morning of 21 February 1917. In memory of the many South Africans who died in the War, and in every other conflict, our country will continue to work even harder for the realisation of world peace and a better life, globally, and on our continent, in particular.

In this context, we shall selflessly work harder for the immediate establishment of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises, and the long overdue critical reform of the United Nations to consolidate world peace. The First World War commemoration will also accord us the opportunity to honour our war veterans and military veterans.

Compatriots, we have noted the appeal of the hon Oriani-Ambrosini about the decriminalisation of marijuana for medical use. I was touched to see the man I have known and worked with for more than 20 years in this condition. I have asked the Minister of Health to look into this matter. [Applause.]

The hon Mfundisi raised the lack of progress in the building of the road between Koster and Lichtenburg. The Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission technical team has informed me that a contract was awarded by the North West province at the beginning of last year, to refurbish 50 kilometres of road between Koster and Lichtenburg.

Work did commence on the road. However, one of the unsuccessful bidders took legal action against the provincial department responsible. By the time the matter went to court in November 2013, the department had already mutually terminated the contract, which had achieved 87% completion of the work. One stretch of road was left incomplete, and it is this that poses a hazard for road users. The provincial government is working on the procurement process to ensure that the road is maintained and is also completed in the first quarter of this year.

The state of the nation address gave us a short overview of the good South African story. The full story will be found in the 20-year review document that will be launched next month. [Applause.] There have also been reports from Goldman Sachs, as well as Ernst & Young, which give an account of what this country has achieved and the work that still needs to be done. It is a proud story of the success of a people determined to change their country for the better.

In other words, the good story is not told by the ANC-led government only. It is told by independent researchers. [Interjections.] Only those who may be living in other countries will tell a different story – or those, perhaps, influenced by certain things, including oppositional kinds of positions, etc, to satisfy their wishes, because if you are in opposition, you must always try to disagree, even if you don't need to. We appreciate that. [Laughter.] We appreciate that. This is a democracy. [Applause.]

The story of a good South Africa is told by those who look at it with no agenda. They tell a good story. [Applause.] I can tell you, as predicted by my hon friend, people know who make the good stories, and on 7 May they will tell a story of who made these. [Applause.] There are no doubts! Those who were the prophets, taking people to some green pastures of a wonderful organisation ... [Interjections.] The prophets, the real prophets will realise that their prophecy is not working and can't work. [Laughter.] [Applause.] The fact of the matter is that the population of this country has an organisation they know belongs to them. It works for them. It liberated them. It is going to change South Africa for them!

HON MEMBERS: Yes! [Applause.]

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: They are not mistaken, therefore about what they will do about voting. You can prophesy. You can go to the mountain. [Laughter.] No problem! [Applause.] [Interjections.]

Abanye sabaxelela xa bephuma kwi-ANC ukuba kuyabanda phaya phandle. [Kwahlekwa.] Akukho shushu, kuyabanda. Kumnandi apha ngaphakathi, kushushu. Kushushu kumnandi, nawe nje uyabona. [Kwahlekwa.] Bahle nabantu, bahle. [Kwahlekwa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)

[When some members left the ANC, we told them it's cold out there. [Laughter.] It's not warm, it's cold. Inside the ANC it's nice and warm, as you can see for yourselves. [Laughter.] Members of the ANC are beautiful and handsome. [Laughter.]]

The hon Godi stated correctly that in celebrating our freedom and achievements, we do so also honouring those who served, sacrificed and suffered for the freedom we enjoy today. Certainly, on 7 May, we will take the good story forward when millions cast their votes in celebration of the right to vote that millions of our people gained for the first time in 1994.

We congratulate the youth, in particular, for preparing themselves to perform this critical national task of choosing a government of their choice ... [Applause.] ... by coming out in their numbers, contrary to those who say the youth is not active. They came out in big numbers, in fact, more so than at any other time of registration. We would like to thank and congratulate them. [Applause.] We must all, regardless of political beliefs, gender, race or class, join this journey of moving South Africa forward towards prosperity for all. It is a wonderful journey that we must all get into.

Hon Speaker, hon members, esteemed guests, compatriots, we have a good story to tell. I thank you. [Applause.]

The SPEAKER: Order! I thank the hon the President.

The House adjourned at 15:09.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Minister of Public Enterprises

(a) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Airways SOC Limited (SAA) for 2012-2013, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2012-2013.

National Assembly

1. The Speaker

(a) Letter from the Minister of Public Enterprises dated 19 February 2014, to the Speaker of the National Assembly explaining the reasons for the delay in the tabling of the Annual Report of the South African Airways SOC Limited for 2012-2013.

LATE TABLING OF SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (SAA's) 2012/13 ANNUAL REPORT

My letter dated 27 September 2013 relating to the postponement tabling of the SAA 2012/13 Annual Report, refers.

I had indicated in the above letter that SAA was unable to submit the 2012/13 Annual Report for tabling in Parliament, five months after the end of the 2012/13 financial year, as required by section 55(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999), as amended. This was due to SAA only assessing the Government support required in order for the airline's 2012/13 Annual Financial Statements to be signed off on a going concern basis in July 2013. Following the request for support from Government in July 2013, Government approved the guarantee required on 29 November 2013. As a result, the 2012/13 Annual Financial Statements were signed off by the auditors and subsequently considered and approved at the Annual General Meeting held on 29 January 2014.

I therefore present 100 copies and 1 cd rom of SAA's 2012/13 Annual Report for tabling in terms of Sections 65(1)(a) and (2) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999), as amended.

Yours sincerely

(Signed)

MR MALUSI GIGABA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC ENTEPRISES

COMMITTEE REPORTS

National Assembly

1. Report of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs on the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill [B26-2013], dated 18 February 2014.

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs having deliberated and considered the subject matter of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill [B26-2013] (National Assembly – sec 76) (the Amendment Bill), referred to the Portfolio Committee and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 76 Bill, agrees with the classification and reports the National Environmental Management Laws Third Amendment Bill with amendments [B26A-2013].

Report to be considered.

2. Report of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs on the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill [B32-2013] (National Assembly – section 76), dated 18 February 2014.

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs having deliberated and considered the subject matter of the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill [B32-2013] (National Assembly – sec 76) (the Amendment Bill), referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 76 Bill, agrees with the classification and reports the Bill with amendments [B32A-2013].

Report to be considered.

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