Everyone knows what our policies are and what they have always been. We neither re-branded our logo, reinvented untrue attachments to the struggle icons, had a fashion makeover with tasteless berets, nor learned new dance moves to prove our commitment to our people.
People usually talk of the festive season as the silly season. However, with the electioneering in full swing, the silly season takes on an added flavour. New political parties have sprung up, some who now criticise affirmative action whilst being the beneficiaries of this policy and acquiring great wealth in this process; others who spew vitriol whilst pursuing unattainable, but short-term political objectives meant to benefit just themselves. Electoral opportunism brings out strange characteristics; the silly season indeed.
Hon members, reflection is always good. In these Chambers, when we reflect on progress and demand accountability and transformation, perhaps we should also interrogate how transformed are these hallowed walls of Parliament within which we are working? There are still many relics of the past and, the hon Koos van der Merwe, I do not mean you, which we need to change in Parliament. The review of the Rules is the most pressing concern. When we will be celebrating 20 years of democracy next year, we will also look at how considerably Parliament has transformed in the past 20 years.
The hallmark of our participatory democracy is that of adopting an inclusive approach and partnering with each other to arrive at a common future. As the ANC, we believe that the responsibility entrusted to us by the people of South Africa is not to be taken lightly. Our approach of consultation, engagement, interaction and collaboration is in recognition of the fact that we learn and grow together. All parties are to be commended for the spirit with which they have worked together and mutually co-operated to take forward the programme of this Parliament. Maybe among the lessons to be learned is that the judiciary cannot be used to dictate to Parliament what decisions should be taken.
As representatives of our people who mandated us to be here, the job of negotiating, debating and disagreeing on key matters before the House has to be our responsibility within this institution. Nobody has said that it would be easy, but equally, we cannot bring in the judicial arm of the state to solve these problems.
The separation of powers dictates that one branch of the state must not take over the functions of another branch of the state. This year, members have worked tirelessly, especially with regard to the legislative programme of Parliament. The exchanges and debates were a testimony to our democracy. We all know, as elected public representatives seated here, that we share a common mission, which remains the creation of a united, nonracial, nonsexist, democratic and prosperous society.
This Parliament and its programmes must be premised on people- centred and people-driven change and its capacity to lead in the definition of a common national agenda in mobilising all of society to take part in its implementation. A Parliament that is not representative of the political will, of the social diversity, and of the ethno-demographic realities of its people; Parliament that is not active and effective in its constitutional functions at all levels - local, national and international - and which is not accountable to the citizens it represents, will not take forward or entrench the principles of democracy and socioeconomic development of a country.
In this vein, no activist Parliament can exist without an activist civil society and activist citizenry. Parliament will never completely become an activist one unless there is a dynamic interaction with our civil society. Our citizens should be both encouraged and supported to continue to exercise their democratic rights, to be fully engaged in the political decision-making processes and in shaping the present and the future of our country. This should not only be during election times, but at all times.
There is a saying which says: The opposite of an activist Parliament is not an inactive Parliament, it is an indifferent Parliament. The opposite of an active civil society is not a passive civil society; it is an indifferent civil society.
Our constituency work and Parliamentary Constituency Offices, the PCOs, are the link to ensure that we solidify our relationship with our people. It is through these offices and our visibility on the ground that we can engage on issues and share knowledge on service delivery matters, assist with counselling, advice and referrals, and generally provide assistance where we can.
Hon members, I am that sure we have all had our fill of speeches for the year, and I am certainly not going to delay everybody any more. However, it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to colleagues and friends whom we have lost this year and who have each made enormous sacrifices and contributions to building our democracy. After the whole nation and the global community were collectively in prayer for our beloved Madiba, we realise how close we were due to his loss.
During that time of reflection, people across the world conveyed what he meant to them. We know what he means to us, and in honouring him we would do well to live with honour ourselves.
Finally, both the Deputy Chief Whip and I would like to thank the Speaker, hon Max Sisulu; the Deputy Speaker, Ms Nomaindia Mfeketo; the House Chairpersons, hon Cedric Frolick, hon Ben Skosana and Ms Fatima Hajaig; the management and staff of Parliament; and the ANC caucus support services, for their assistance and contributions to the work of all members. May you all have a safe, peaceful and restful festive season.
Unfortunately, I am not going to sit down yet. I have 12 minutes to go. The Hon Watson, please remember the hon Botha, the Chief Whip of Cope's question when he said, what is the legacy you are leaving behind? You break conventions, and you ask others not to. You burn bridges because you are no longer coming back here, but remember we have some months in the first part of the year next year. You will come back here. What you left here will come back to haunt you. You lose debates. You lose votes. You lose the prestige of your party. You are taking it out on this House during the injury time. Unfortunately, we have beaten you five nil. [Applause.]
The hon Botha, you copied a poor example of the DA. The farewell speech is not intended to evaluate Ministers. Since you too, like the hon Watson, have lost all debates on all matters we spoke to in this House, a farewell speech sank you. The voters will visit you at the polls. The hon Van der Merwe, Oom Koos, retire in peace; we find you not guilty. [Laughter.] Please ask your friend, Watty, to go home and play with the cat. [Laughter.] Faku, we salute you too, my friend.
The hon Mulder, remember during the debate on the legacy of the 1913 Land Act, I asked you to approach your constituency and ask them to share the land they claimed ownership over with the poor that they call farm workers. Today, I asked you to use the holidays to urge them over a braai, at church services, or at sport festivals to share the land with the poor. [Applause.] It will truly be "regstellende aksie" [affirmative action] and "toenadering" [rapprochement] we all yearned for.
The hon Thring, integrity talks from an honest, truthful witness to the good work the ANC delivers. I thank you. [Applause.] Visit St John, Chapter 3 and verse 11: "We speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen." [Applause.]
South Africa, Mr Mpethi, moving from roads to rails will reduce the trucks and taxis on the roads, as goods, loads and passengers will be on trains. The ancestors will be happy when we move people from the road to avoid the trucks and the taxis and put them on the trains. I thank you. [Applause.]