Chairperson, I have four responses. Firstly, with regard to the issue of affirmative action, it is not correct selectively to utilise the Constitution. We reflect on its advanced nature, its sophistication and we take pride in the fact that we have a Constitution that we, as a country, could be proud of. Yet, we tend to ignore the imperatives within that Constitution.
Our Constitution is underpinned by the values of equality and human dignity. Section 9 of the Constitution clearly imposes a duty on the state to take legislative and other measures to correct the imbalances of the past, which means that affirmative action is entrenched and embedded in the Constitution.
What we seek to achieve in our Constitution is not only procedural equality but also substantive equality. Now, to suggest that affirmative action or corrective action is not necessarily against the ethos of our Constitution, certainly smacks of selective hypocrisy. [Interjections.] I can quite understand the murmurs and interjections from the other side because they represent a particular, narrow, parochial interest.
With regard to the issue of Khutsong, indeed I do agree that government has a particular responsibility - all spheres of government, national, provincial and local - to ensure that we accelerate service delivery in the area.
However, we should take into account that a lot of the violence and a lot of the instability that is being created in that particular area has been through agent provocateurs, who have a particular agenda. The agenda is that they have not been elected as public representatives in the municipality.
There are reports of people being forced out of busses - school children - and being compelled to join the marches. There are reports of people being assaulted and being coerced into taking part in what is termed a solidarity march against the local government.
We do not, however, abdicate our responsibility to ensure that there should be a focused attention in ensuring that Khutsong becomes a better place to live in.
With regard to the issue of Kameelfontein and Bloemfontein Primary, that in fact is a microcosm of the picture in our country. If we compare the huge disparities in our schools and we compare the former model C schools and township schools, you will see the huge differences in terms of infrastructure, laboratories, libraries, etc.
What government is doing is ensuring that through its affirmation programme called Quids Up, it has set aside R10,5 billion to ensure that those underresourced schools are better resourced.
However, in the context of this particular problem, I think a conversation has to take place, where schools that are half full or half empty should become more accommodating to those schools in neighbouring areas that are overfull, where, certainly, quality education cannot take place. This cannot take place arbitrarily, but it should be as a result of interaction between the governing bodies of the two schools to see how they can accommodate each other without compromising the ethos of the school. There are successful practices that have occurred in different areas where this kind of accommodation takes place without infringing on the language policy or the ethos of the school.
I think the approach should be practical, reasonable and rational. I do believe there is a will and good faith on the part of the broader community of all racial groups to ensure that we provide quality education to our people. I would then urge the governing body of that particular school in particular take into account the huge disparities of that underresourced school, the accommodation and the right of access to all learners to appropriate schooling.
With regard to the last aspect, which is in relation to the responsibility of education as being the responsibility, not only of the state, but of all citizens, certainly, education is a task for everybody. It is certainly the fundamental responsibility of government, but I think private citizens as well as private entities should play a role.
Last week I had the privilege of attending the opening of a huge, wonderfully designed, school in Kalkfontein, where there was partnership between the Department of Education in Gauteng as well as Oracle - an IT company - and other donors.
If you look at the way the school is resourced, its mission statement and ethos, one could say that it is a good example of close co-operation between the private sector and government in ensuring that we provide quality education through proper infrastructure and resources. Certainly, we will invite the private sector or citizens to contribute in a smaller or bigger way to ensure that we provide quality education to all our people. Thank you so much. [Applause.]