[Interjections.] Do not provoke me. The strike is a dispute between the employer and his employees. [Interjections.] This is how we understand it. It is a collective bargaining matter that can only be resolved through bargaining at the bargaining chamber. I am happy that both parties are now back in the chamber, both determined to find a settlement. Bargaining has never been about begging. Bargaining remains bargaining, and therefore a solution can only be found through social dialogue.
The continuation of the strike is not in the interests of both the employers and the workers. The costs are high on both sides. Workers know that they will lose wages, as they know the application of "no work, no pay". Government knows that the strike does affect the economy and the rank- and-file people of this country.
I have now asked the most senior commissioners of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, CCMA, to mediate - that is if the parties find themselves incapable of reaching a settlement. We have resolved, through the CCMA, a number of very difficult strikes in this country. So, I will plead with the workers in the public service, and whoever else is involved, to understand that we can settle this dispute. They must just swallow their pride and accept the mediation.
I agree with the PAC that ...
... simele ukuba sivumelane ukuba abantu abakhubazekileyo abakaxhamli kwimeko yezoqoqosho yeli lizwe. Ndiyavuma ukuba noxa ikhona inkqubela, kuninzi kona ekusafuneka sikwenzile malunga nabantu abakhubazekileyo.
Xa ke, nyana wesizwe, unokuthi ubambe isandla salo mbutho we-ANC, sihambe kunye, niyeke la maqhekeza enu ninawo e-PAC, ndiqinisekile ukuba singaphumelela. [Laphela ixesha.] [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[... we must agree that the disabled people are not enjoying the benefits of the economy of this country. I agree that while there is progress, there is still a lot that needs to be done for the disabled people.
Chief, if you were to join the ANC and work as a collective and leave your small groups of the PAC, I am certain that we could succeed. [Time expired.] [Applause.]]