Hon Chair, Minister and Deputy Minister, dumelang [good day]. The EFF notes the budget presented by the Department of Public Enterprises for the 2014-15 financial year. Unashamedly and unapologetically, we reject the budget presented, because it is premised on the National Development Plan which, in our view, does not wholeheartedly seek to address the plight of our people. [Interjections.]
The NDP's approach to the state-owned companies does not talk explicitly about our people ... [Interjections.] ... and says less about the direct empowerment of and benefits to our people, particularly the communities where the operation of these companies are taking place. We are calling for the dissolution of this department ... [Interjections.] ... because it is unnecessary and a waste of money that could better be used to deliver quality services for our people. It is just a department that was created to reward loyalists, cadres and friends. [Interjections.]
All eight state-owned companies should be taken to their relevant departments in line with their mandate. As you have announced, hon Minister, you have already taken Broadband Infraco to the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services. Likewise, Eskom should be taken back to the Department of Energy; SAA, SAX and Transnet should be taken back to the Department of Transport; Denel should go to the Department of Defence and Military Veterans; Alexkor should go to the Department of Mineral Resources; and SA Forestry Company Limited, Safcol, should go to the department responsible for forestry. [Interjections.]
We believe their relocation would yield better results to the desired outcomes of radical economic transformation, beneficiation and industrialisation of the economy. The radicalisation of the economy does not need pronouncements but practical steps, courageous leadership and firm government prepared to respond radically and without any excuses to the evils that have been brought about by the oppressive apartheid system.
Our people cannot eat ideas and economic policies that change titles every five years but have the same content. [Interjections.] Our people need decent jobs and living wages. They need empowerment and development to guarantee the future of their children. The state-owned companies should play the role of catalyst, with a distinct mandate for the development and social wellbeing of the people of this country.
It will never be right that those who continue to benefit from the state- owned companies are only the select few who are connected to the authorities. A deliberate, radical programme to empower young and small emerging businesses should be prioritised and implemented at full steam. Corruption is a sin that steals from our people a better today and tomorrow. It must be confronted and uprooted.
The nature and attitude of our state-owned companies must be to not only chase profit, but to drive an aggressive developmental agenda to grow the economy and stimulate jobs. Therefore, we are calling on the Minister and on the highest office in our country to introduce the following radical changes as a concrete step forward: a state housing construction company; a state road construction company; a state pharmaceutical company; and a state food-stocking company to regulate the prices of basic foodstuffs and guarantee food security for all. [Interjections.]
As the EFF, it is our firm belief that if we voted to adopt the budget presented by the hon Minister, without all of these issues and proposals, we would definitely have misrepresented the 1,1 million South Africans who, without any shame, voted for us to be in this Parliament. We must begin to act radically. Thank you very much.