Madam Speaker, hon President, Deputy President, and fellow Members of Parliament, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. There comes a time in every country's history when the brave need to stand up and they need to be counted. There comes a time when the people must have
their voice heard and can no longer face the abuse of government.
There comes a time when we must stand together and demand that injustice comes to an end and fight. Fight with all our might to obey, protect and save our Constitution. As we teeter on the edge of collapse, that time is now.
Speaker, to stand up and speak truth to power is not easy. When you know that billions and billions of rands are at stake, and those who were willing sellers to willing buyers in the feeding frenzy that was, and still is, state capture, will do anything, and by anything, I mean anything, to avoid justice - one has to look deep for a source to steel your resolve and maintain your determination.
I visited Robben Island, and while I was there, I was told that on the darkest days, when hope was at its lowest and when the situation seemed desperate, our Nation's father, President Nelson Mandela would recite a poem by William Ernest Henley called Invictus. Invictus is an adjective in Latin meaning
unconquerable, invincible and undefeated. I now regularly read this poem when I require a boost in my resolve. "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."
Speaker, through you, I use the opportunity that I have today to speak to the President, not just as a politician, not just as a member of an opposing political party, but as a fellow South African. I am outraged and frustrated more than any words can explain at the blatant slap in the face that all South Africans were recently dealt when the ANC announced its proposed chairpersons of our parliamentary committees. [Applause.]
I took it as a personal left hook to the jaw when I read with utter disbelief that the very man who was accused of offering a blank cheque to Advocate Vanara, the evidence leader in the Public Enterprises Inquiry in state capture at Eskom will be rewarded with a chairperson's seat. [Interjections.]
An ex-Minister who has been repeatedly accused of interfering with the South African mining industry for the enrichment of the Gupta family will be rewarded with a chairperson's seat.
[Interjections.] The woman who destroyed what was left of the SA Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, will be rewarded with a chairperson's seat. [Interjections.] The woman whom without explanation sold off the entire South African strategic fuel reserve will be rewarded with a chairperson's seat. [Interjections.] An ex-Mayor of Buffalo City Municipality who was found guilty for nine counts of fraud will be rewarded with a chairperson's seat.