Deputy Chairperson, again I express my thanks and gratitude for being able to participate in this Freedom Day debate in the NCOP. What we witnessed here today was an eloquent choir of South Africa's elected public representatives in the NCOP singing a song of freedom.
What stands out for me are the following voices in that choir: First was the hon Manzini, who sang in an eloquent way, giving us an overview of our history, about where we come from, and reminding us that the advent of freedom brought liberation to both oppressed and oppressor. He also reminded us of the importance of working together to achieve common national objectives and to realise the objective of a better life for all. Second was the hon Schippers, who spoke eloquently about the special and important role of local government in the realisation of the objectives contained in our Constitution and the role of local government in giving full effect to what we celebrate on Freedom Day.
Third was the hon Gunda, who took diamonds from his native province and strung them together and in that rhythm he reminded us of the importance of the mineral wealth in our country and how it should be used to alleviate poverty. Fourth was the hon Kasienyane, who spoke in the same vein about the important need for us to engage in economic transformation to give full effect to those powerful provisions in our Constitution that talk about socioeconomic rights and the means for all South Africans to realise their full human potential.
Fifth was the hon Skhosana's thoughtful input, which took us over the history of the road we travelled to be at the point we are today, celebrating 18 years of freedom. In doing so he reminded us that as we move forward it is always advisable to check the rear-view mirror from time to time to remind ourselves where we come from. That will help us to better chart the way forward to the national democratic society envisaged in our Constitution.
Sixth was the hon Adams, who spoke eloquently and passionately, emphasising that in terms of our Constitution South Africa is indeed one united and undivided nation, that all of its citizens enjoy equal rights under the Constitution and that we have no first-class or second-class citizens based on where they might find themselves in our beautiful country.
In the midst of this beautiful choir that sang here today, I think there were one or two discordant notes. I appeal to members that as we engage in public discourse let us refrain from doing so in a shallow and careless manner. The matters that we are discussing are serious matters that affect the future of our nation. We should not present arguments in the form of "federations of discontent" or take news clippings and dish them up as analyses.
The matters raised regarding the Protection of State Information Bill are currently before a committee of this House and I believe that they are receiving due and proper consideration.
Matters relating to the assessment of the impact of judgments of the highest courts in our land, being the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal, have been undertaken exactly at this juncture in our history where we feel it is appropriate to assess the work of the courts and the impact of their judgments, especially on socioeconomic rights. If one looks at the terms of reference and the discussion document released by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, one will see that in fact the exercise being conducted there is being conducted according to the letter and in the spirit of the Constitution.
Recently, in fact, many judges and aspirant judges have welcomed the release of that discussion document and the terms of reference for that assessment. So, there really is nothing to fear and everything to welcome. Indeed, it underscores our belief that by assessing, engaging and analysing them we are in fact strengthening the foundations of our constitutional democracy, which we started building 18 years ago.
Deputy Chairperson, I thank you for the opportunity to participate in this debate. Let me wish all members well on Freedom Day. I wish and hope that you will be in your constituencies, singing the beautiful song of freedom that we heard here this morning. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.