Deputy Speaker, I would just like to respond to the challenge posed by piracy on the east coast of Africa. Firstly, this is a global challenge, although it affects our region. It happens in other regions too, particularly in Asia and the Far East. It therefore does need a collective response from all nations.
Secondly, while it is true that the challenge on the east coast of Africa arises particularly out of the weak state of government in Somalia, it is ironic that the DA, which always advocates for weak states, is now the first to complain here. It is important that we find a solution because it is the root cause. [Interjections.]
We have a failed state in Somalia because others have been advocating that we should create these weak governments, that we create stability inside Somalia first so that there is political stability in order to deal ... [Interjections.] You can never deal with this challenge on the high seas until you deal ... [Interjections.] ... because these are soldiers and navy people who were in the army and we now have the effect of that weak state.
It can never be true that the South African government has not been paying attention to this problem. Since the beginning of last year we have been working within the Southern African Development Community, SADC, because many SADC states have been affected by this phenomenon. We have been working within the ambit of the African Union, AU, to try and have a collective response to this cancer which is happening on the east coast of Africa. [Interjections.]
Order please, members!
As the South African government, we will continue to find the solutions in Somalia, to find a stable government. [Interjections.] We will continue to find collective solutions to fight piracy on our east coast. Thank you. [Applause.]