Mr Speaker, I wanted to say that the ANC would like to direct these comments to hon Shenge. We would like to assure you, hon Shenge, that when we are in Parliament what happens here is part of parliamentary banter. It was in no way meant to offend you or to be personal. We are extremely touched by the way that you have responded to this, and we would like to indicate to you that we did not mean it in the way that you have taken it. I have spoken to hon Cronin, and he has assured me that we would not have made the personal remarks that you have attributed to him in that way. We would not be as personal to you any more than we would be personal to hon Mr Mlangeni. We value the contribution that you have made, and we would like you please to understand that it was done in the context of parliamentary banter. We had no intention to hurt you. [Applause.]
Proceed. Are you done?
No, I wasn't done. I wanted to indicate that Minister Xingwana has already apologised for the hurt that she may have caused. [Interjections.]
Order, hon members!
If you would allow me, Mr Speaker. She has already publicly apologised for the hurt she may have caused by her statement. We, in the ANC, have been at the forefront of creating the Constitution that we have, the founding principles of which is nonracism and nonsexism, and therefore, if there's anything that would have come out of this, we would like all of us to have the responsibility instead of creating a new fissure in society to mend and move forward. She has apologised. Thank you very much. [Interjections.]
Order, hon members!
Xhamela, I was only asking you - Xhamela just the two of us to say, Xhamela!
Shenge!
To the Minister, Xhamela! [Laughter.]
It's Ministers' Responses ... [Laughter.]
Mr Speaker, I was rising on a point of order: I think he did cede his time to me, but with your permission, I rise on behalf of hon member Mokoena and myself. Those of us who eat horse feel quite offended by some of the comments which have been made here. [Laughter.] We seek your protection, sir. [Laughter.]
We proceed.