I think everybody is in agreement that we save time today.
Chairperson, Members of the House, fellow South Africans, on the 15th of February 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa was inaugurated as the President of the Republic of South Africa.
The DA on that day had the good grace to congratulate the new president and wish him well in his endeavours, even though he had been Leader of Government Business for the past four ruinous years.
I had the honour to congratulate the President personally on the floor of the National Assembly after the proceedings. As I shook his hand, I also assured him that, as a then member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, SCOPA that I would hold him and his government to account. He encouraged me to do nothing less.
Many in South Africa were emboldened by the new dawn, widely known as Ramaphoria. Since then, the President has been involved in internal battles with Luthuli House over financial and constitutional policy. He has admitted, at the very least, that he provided incorrect information to Parliament which has led to a damning condemnation from the Public Protector.
And this past weekend he was forced to challenge his National Executive Committee, NEC, to remove him at the next ANC National General Council, NGC, if they didn't like his leadership.
So before supporting any Budget, the essential question is: Who is running the Budget? Who is in charge? Is it the Secretary-General and Luthuli House? Or is it the President and the Union Buildings? Or is the canny Deputy President just biding his time as the ANC Titans clash, ready to step forward as the compromise candidate?
President Ramaphosa is fond of quoting Teddy Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena" as a dismissive statement to those outside of government.
The President must be reminded today that the DA is in the arena. Our faces are marred by dust and sweat and blood. We do strive valiantly. We do dare greatly. And we shall know victory. And the ANC will know defeat. Siyabangena!! [Applause.]