Hon Deputy Chairperson, on behalf of the ANC I would like to make the following farewell statement as we, as members of the Council, conclude our parliamentary tasks for this year.
The ANC would like to convey its sincere appreciation to us all for work well done by the MPs in the NCOP, as well as the Presiding Officers and the support staff who do an excellent job quietly behind the scenes.
The year 2011 has been a long, very busy and challenging year for all of us but, despite all that, I would like to believe that we managed to accomplish a lot. Yes, sometimes we tried so hard to achieve more but fell short. That does not mean we have failed, but just that we could not do more than we did.
Yes, our people expected a lot from us in regard to changing their lives for the better, and our task here was to ensure that we did exactly that and that all the programmes we undertook, the legislation we passed and the reports we adopted during the course of this year, whether as individuals or as parties, were aimed at addressing that fundamental task.
As we take this break, let us all ensure that we do indeed rest, in order to regain the power, the stamina and the sweat we have lost over the past year. This is so that in 2012 we can continue together and pick up our mandates from where we left off.
The ANC wishes each and every one of us, our families and our constituencies a very peaceful and joyous festive season and hopes that we will all meet again in Mangaung on the big day, 8 January 2012, to celebrate the centenary of our glorious movement, the ANC. We, in the ANC, will be having a double celebration over the next month - the New Year celebration and also the centenary, which will be the mother of all celebrations. Let me remind drivers not to drink and drive. I thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, the work done by the NCOP in 2011 was a tremendous job-well done, in spite of our varying political affiliations.
This is also the time of the year when one spends time in reflection.
Unfortunately, our Chairperson is not here, and we did not get the opportunity last night to thank him for his leadership and for the respect that was always displayed. His role in the supervision of the NCOP programme is phenomenal, and he has always had this wonderful open-door policy, which we appreciate. He has also had a very good attitude towards the many new members who joined in the last year. Deputy Chair, there is a majority "ruling" by the DA, supported by all the other political parties of this Council, that we appreciate the work that you have done this year - the majority rules!
To hon "Point of Order" Ntwanambi, we thank you very much for your guidance this year and for a job well done as Chief Whip of the Council. I wanted to make an exception of hon Ntwanambi because she has a heavy schedule, and she has sometimes done her work under very difficult circumstances.
To our committee chairpersons, House Chairpersons, and everybody else who has held a title in the NCOP, thank you very much. I think we have achieved our goals, and we can all be very proud of what we have achieved.
To other members of the NCOP, I think there is a wonderful camaraderie among us all, and we do respect each other, irrespective of where we come from and what political parties we support, except when hon Tau forces ANC nonlogic on us and we do not share the vision that he seems to have! [Laughter.]
I want to thank the NCOP staff and all the staff members of the political parties for the supporting role they have played this year in making what we have done possible and in achieving the goals that we have been mandated to achieve.
I would also like to ask everybody to drive carefully - it is the holiday season.
This is a Council with camaraderie and respect for one another. We are now entering the festive season, and in many cases we will have families that will spend the festive season without the loved ones that they have lost. We will be thinking of you with the same compassion that we had during your time of difficulty, as this is a hard time to go through.
However, we also wish you all a very happy holiday season and the very best for 2012. We hope that we can beat the programme that we had for 2011 and make the NCOP even better than what it was in 2011. I thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you very much, Deputy Chairperson. [Interjections.]
Hon Bloem, we will bear with you because there is something that you have left at home! We will give you a chance! [Laughter.] You may proceed.
Thank you very much, Deputy Chairperson. [Laughter.] That implies that something is wrong here - I do not understand, but it is fine. I will forgive you for now, Mama! [Laughter.]
Hon Deputy Chairperson and hon members, this is our last sitting today. It is a moment to reflect on what we said we were going to do as servants of the people. It is a time for each of us to ask ourselves: Did I perform my duty to the best of my ability?
I can say without doubt that the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Chief Whip, all Presiding Officers, the leadership, and the members of this House are equal to the task. All of us know that a soccer team, or a rugby team, or a ship without a captain will definitely sink. Again, without doubt, I can say the NCOP is in good hands.
Our Chairperson of the NCOP, the hon Mahlangu, is a champion; a very wise and very humble leader! I would like to say this in his presence, but I will say it even in his absence - I know he informed us yesterday that he would not be with us today.
Let me come to our Deputy Chairperson, the hon Mama. [Laughter.] She is a very strong, principled leader! We are very fortunate to have such a motherly figure around us. I know that the hon Deputy Chairperson has some extra grey hair from the trouble I have caused in this House! [Laughter.] Deputy Chairperson, let me take this opportunity to apologise to you for all the troubles I caused this whole year. I hope I am forgiven. Thank you in advance, Deputy Chairperson. To make up for all the trouble, my Christmas present to you will be a 2-litre bottle of black hair dye, for the grey hair! [Laughter.] To all the members of this House, let me apologise to anybody I have hurt, unintentionally, during this year, especially hon Mashile. Let me thank the Table staff for the hard work they have put in to make our work successful during the year. I cannot forget to thank the service officers for the glasses of water that they always give with a smile. It does not go unnoticed - a big thank you!
In conclusion, on behalf of Cope, I want to wish all of you a restful Christmas and a prosperous 2012. May you spend quality time with your family - they deserve it! Please do not call me - I will call you! Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Thank you, hon Deputy Chair. [Interjections.]
I have subtracted one minute because of your behaviour! You may proceed! [Laughter.]
Thank you, hon Deputy Chair. I appreciate the fact that you have added another two minutes! Thank you!
Hon Deputy Chair and hon members here in the House, it is indeed a pleasure to work with you. This year has been a great challenge, but many of us have succeeded because of the support we have had from each other.
The time has come to reflect on the year we have had and, at the same time, to be optimistic about the year that lies ahead. There are great challenges that we have to face and tackle during the coming year, especially with decisions to make that will have an impact on our Constitution and the future of our country.
What has stood out the most over the past year has been the involvement and input of powerful voices from ordinary South Africans on issues that will have a direct impact on them and especially on the hype around the Protection of Information Bill.
We hope that the coming year will address areas in government that have fallen short of robust intervention.
Furthermore, we take note of the ANC's centennial celebration, which is to be held early next year. We do hope that these celebrations will not be held at the expense of the poor people. It is time for the ANC to develop, educate and empower the poorest of the poor. Grant them the economic freedom that the Freedom Charter said they would have, and sustainability so, which is long overdue.
May this very same august organisation, which has brought forth and still brings forth quality leaders, such as Lillian Ngoyi, Rolihlahla Mandela, the Sisulu family, Winnie Mandela, Albert Luthuli and many more, reflect on those people - they made this organisation what it is today. On behalf of the ID, I take this opportunity to wish every member of the House a safe and peaceful festive season, as well as a prosperous New Year.
Let me not forget the staff of the NCOP and the leadership who have done such marvellous work. Let me specially thank the hon Chief Whip who was sitting there today. Sometimes she might come across as an arrogant or aggressive person, but deep down in her heart, she understands what we mean when we argue. I would like to thank the staff of the Chief Whip's office as well. Many times, when we go out with the NCOP, especially with the Chief Whip's office, the staff is there and everything is sorted out.
Therefore, to the people at the Table, who are sitting there today, and everyone in the NCOP, let me just say: "My dear sisters and brothers in the House, I wish you a merry, prosperous Christmas blessed by God. I wish you, when you wake up in 2012, a year when you will say, "I know God has brought us through." Thank you, hon Deputy Chair. [Applause.]
Deputy Chair, I am tempted to respond ...
No.
... but, I won't, for Christmas sake. Of course, there is a better word that I will say to hon Gunda.
Hon members, comrades and "madelakufa" [fearless compatriots], I rise to express my profound appreciation to each and every one of our hon members for their resilience and utter commitment throughout the year. I have on many occasions this year expressed my appreciation for working with such committed men and women, whose loyalty to our people is immeasurable.
Today we are concluding yet another momentous year, one of the busiest for hon members and the committees of the Council. I am proud to be part of a leadership collective that continues to demonstrate its strong resolve and commitment to working tirelessly and with the utmost dedication.
I would like to sincerely thank all of you - I repeat, all of you -for your individual contributions. The work of our committees and plenary sessions attest to the dedication, loyalty and commitment that you have shown this year.
This year we have witnessed the most robust engagements and debates this Council has ever seen. We have passed more motions and asked more questions than in any other year since this Council was established in 2002.
Our committees have continued with their work to ensure that our Council plays an important role in our national quest to build a better life for our people and ensure that we bring to the fore the voices of our people in the provinces.
As a Council, we have ensured that the issues facing our people receive the utmost attention from the government. We have also continued with our work of holding the government accountable. We have done so because we are aware that accountability and a high sense of responsibility in the governance of the affairs of the people is the bedrock of our democracy, and it is our collective duty as representatives of the people to protect and defend our democratic ideals.
We have undertaken the most successful Provincial Week, and recently visited the people of uMzinyathi as part of our programme of Taking Parliament to the People.
Your conduct and character show your commitment to working tirelessly and with utter dedication to leave a lasting legacy for our Parliament, specifically our Council. Your dedication and hard work are reflected in the important role that our Council continues to play in the evolution of our young nation. You have truly entrenched the NCOP as one of the most important institutions of our democracy.
We have also worked continuously to create space for our people to raise their challenges and give true meaning to the concept of a People's Parliament. Our Council has been consistent in its message of being the voice of our people. Indeed, through its work, the NCOP has helped to bring practical meaning to participatory democracy and representing issues that our people are confronted with on a daily basis.
I know that while we have come to the last day of the official sitting of our Council this year, many of our hon members will still be hard at work in their constituencies. As we continue to communicate the message of hope and service to our people, we must also take some time to rest, recuperate and re-energise our vigour and spend time with our families.
Lastly, allow me to thank all of you for the support you gave me at the beginning of the year 2011. It was tough, but you made me understand that amputation was not the end of my life. Let's do this for all those who need comfort, particularly hon Rantho, who lost her brother in a fire in the Strand, and hon Mlenzana, whose son was stabbed to death last Saturday.
In conclusion, as we depart from the precincts of Parliament and drive to our various destinations, let us be safe and continue to preach the gospel of safety on our roads.
I wish you and your families a happy festive season and a prosperous new year. May we all come back next year as good as we are this year. Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]
Order! May I take this opportunity to speak to everybody seated here and also to those who are not here for various reasons. In particular, I wish to say to those who have lost members of their families that we all extend our deepest sympathy to them. We will be with you on the difficult days, and may the souls of those who have departed rest in peace.
To all of you here, let us come back next year very vigilant, in order to work better than this year. A few members here must grow up. They have now actually graduated from Preschool to Sub A, which is a good step. [Laughter.] I am not going to mention names - they know who they are. To the ANC members, they should please go back to their respective constituencies and work hard, jointly, to achieve their goals for the centenary that falls on 8 January.
I will now allow the Chief Whip to say something. Chief Whip, you have the floor.
Deputy Chairperson and hon members, yesterday there was a question and some confusion in regard to the announcement made by the hon Minister of Finance. Among those members who were confused was hon Bloem.
We want to say that there is an intervention in one province. A notice still has to be sent to the NCOP and the Council will be briefed on that. So, let's wait for that. That doesn't affect the other two provinces. I want us to leave it at that and not discuss it. Let us not say anything until we have proper communication, and those processes will then unfold.
I would also like to ask the Deputy Chairperson, even though I have not notified her, to ask the ANC members to remain just for two minutes, please. There is an announcement that we need to make quickly. I really thank you for that, Deputy Chair.
Order! It is as requested. That concludes the business of the day. Hon members, you are requested to remain standing until the procession has left the Chamber.