It is to represent the people who elected us. [Applause.] We are here on their behalf. They are not here, and when they hear we are meeting, they literally stop everything to listen to the way in which we discuss their problems. If we make it impossible for them to listen, I think there is something wrong with our understanding of democracy. [Applause.] One of the things the people learn from watching us is how the leaders - their elected leaders - conduct themselves in dealing with such important national business. Really, some of us feel very bad when we see the manner in which we portray ourselves, these days not only to South Africans but to the continent and the world. Their view of South Africa changes - they think the country has such a Constitution and a constitutional democracy, but we might not help people to take something out of us because of the manner in which we handle ourselves. I think we should change. I think we are not representing our voters well, the people who took the decision to send us here.
What is it that they learn from us? I believe all of us sitting here know the Rules and the laws; we know everything. If the presiding officers ... and we all agree that you cannot speak when you are not recognised by the presiding officer, and you continue disrespecting the presiding officer ... if you do so, it is undermining hon members indirectly. When you exercise your right, don't undermine the right of the next person. [Applause.] It is a matter I believe we need to be united on. Then we will have time to agree and disagree with respect. If this Parliament could be united on that, I would be very happy. It would portray this Parliament correctly. I think we disagree on a number of matters, but that is not a crime. Let us disagree with respect. [Applause.]
It is a plea I make and, as I said, my hon Leader of the Opposition got up twice. I supported you, sir, because I thought you made a good point. [Applause.] I will support you if you make good points, but after you had made your point, as I was speaking here after the EFF had left, your party was doing almost the same. [Laughter.] They were not adhering to your good point, and I got worried. I am merely making this point so that it could be discussed in the caucus. [Laughter.] [Applause.] I believe when we say "honourable members", we mean it, and people must understand that the meaning of the term is to be taken seriously. We cannot call ourselves on "honourable" but behave dishonourably. [Applause.] I will never agree with that. It is not helping the image of the country. It is not teaching our people what democracy is all about. [Interjections.] I am addressing all Members of Parliament - all Members of Parliament. [Interjections.] On this side, I merely zoomed in on an important point, which I supported, made by the hon Leader of the Opposition. [Applause.] That is why I looked in that direction, but otherwise I refer to everyone. It is a serious point.
Speaker and Chairperson of the NCOP, I thought I should make this point because it is important. I know that hon Shenge has tried using his age advantage, but people do not listen. I am a little bit older too. [Laughter.] I have that right, after him, of course, to make this point. It is vitally important.
South Africa, like many emerging markets, faces challenges, but we have time and again succeeded where others thought we would fail. We can still succeed if we work together. We have solved major problems that no-one believed we would ever solve because we are a unique nation. This time, because the economy and the drought are serious things ... you can imagine if one day, there was no water at all, there would be no life. This year, the estimate is that we would have to import a lot of maize because we don't have. There are some things we must fight to defeat together. I think we can. Now is the time for us to unite, harness this power and provide leadership and direction to our people during this difficult time.
We have a good plan produced by South Africans: the National Development Plan. Working together, we can make a visible difference and make progress. We can. Together we can move South Africa forward, not for the benefit of a party but the benefit of the country and its people. Thank you very much. [Applause.]