Hon member, you have two minutes to wrap up.
Chairperson, I will make my point; I don't care. It is possible, as I was saying, to achieve nation-building and cohesion, through these things I have in front of me.
I would like to emphasise that today Africa is recognised as the cradle of mankind. In our part of the continent, we have a rich and varied past that is only now being appreciated for its complexity and diversity. Indeed, our heritage is the foundation from which we are working to rebuild our society.
My message today is to rejoice in the richness of our society. Chairperson, I also want to make use of this opportunity to acknowledge those very important artists who are also veterans of the liberation struggle, because they contributed to music and the arts to get our freedom. That is Mam' Thandi Klaasen, Abigail Kubeka, Dorothy Masuku, Faith Kekana, Thembi Mtshali, the Mahotella Queens and the Soul Brothers.
The ANC supports this very important budget. I thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you very much, Chair. Let me take this opportunity to thank all hon members for supporting the budget. However, I am not sure whether the DA did support it. Hon Van den Berg, you did not say anything. [Interjections.]
I do support it.
You do support? Okay. [Interjections.] Thank you very much, hon members.
I quickly want to mention three issues. Firstly, with regard to PanSALB, the Deputy Minister has just indicated that we are now in the process of appointing a new board. I want to add that we have also completed a review of PanSALB. We will be implementing the recommendations and we will share them with the portfolio committee.
We are also reviewing the PanSALB Act to ensure that we strengthen the governance issues. So, we will be briefing the portfolio committee soon.
Secondly, regarding the use of consultants, we definitely agree that we will work towards reducing the number of consultants we use. We are currently trying to fill critical posts but we have to ensure that the incumbents have the requisite skills to be able to do the work. So, the committee can be assured that we do want to build internal capacity.
Thirdly, the hon Van den Berg raised the issue of the Venice Biennale. I want to say that we will be briefing the portfolio committee once this matter is concluded in court. You will recall that there is a court case on this matter. Once that has run its course we will brief you accordingly so that you don't rely on newspapers. You will get the correct facts. We will give you the correct information.
Fourthly, on the issue of names, I just want to say to hon Mulder that it is not just about dealing with offensive names. To us, changing names is part of the transformation process. So, if there is a place called Mulder and the people don't like it, we have to change it. [Interjections.] It may not be offensive, but for the first time we are giving our people the freedom to choose, which they never had before. [Interjections.]
Hon Chairperson ... [Interjections.]
Is that a point of order?
No, I would like to know if the hon Minister is prepared to ... [Interjections.]
Order! Order, hon members! Is that a point of order?
No, Chairperson, I would like to know if the hon Minister ... [Interjections.]
(Mr G T Snell): Hon member, is that a point of order?
I am trying to address you, Chairperson. I am saying it's not a point of order, but I am asking if the Minister is prepared to answer a question, a simple question. [Interjections.]
(Mr G T Snell): Are you prepared to answer a question, Minister?
The only problem is that I only have five minutes, so I may not have time to answer your question. [Interjections.]
(Mr G T Snell): He is not prepared to take a question. [Interjections.]
I was saying, hon Mulder, that I think you are getting this issue wrong, because ... [Interjections.]
Order, hon members! Order!
The issue of name changing is not about dealing with offensive names only. It is to give the people the freedom to choose. I think this is a fundamental point that you must understand; in years past, under apartheid rule, our people did not have the opportunity to choose the names of the places where they lived. We are now giving them that choice. [Applause.]
So, let us all allow that process; I agree with the hon member Van den Berg that the process is important. We don't want anybody to wake up tomorrow and say this place is now called this name or that name. There is a process, people are engaged in that process and, once it is done, let us respect it as the will of the people.
This is why I am very happy that the magistrate or judge - with regard to the Tshwane street names - ruled that the process should unfold. I think that is correct. [Applause.]
Lastly, the hon member Van den Berg complained that he has not seen the two of us at the portfolio committee meetings. Well, remember, hon member, that you are new to the portfolio committee ... [Laughter.] ... so the day when you came, we were not there.
However, I want to assure you that the Deputy Minister and I do like attending the portfolio committee meetings and we will be there. And we would like to engage with you on the languages Bill before it goes to the House. I think we will reach consensus and I am sure you agree.
With those few words, hon Chair, I would like once more to thank all hon members and all the people who have attended the proceedings today. We promise you that we will do exactly what we said we will do in implementing the programmes. We will work together with the portfolio committee to ensure that we can succeed in transforming our country for the better. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.