... but, I won't, for Christmas sake. Of course, there is a better word that I will say to hon Gunda.
Hon members, comrades and "madelakufa" [fearless compatriots], I rise to express my profound appreciation to each and every one of our hon members for their resilience and utter commitment throughout the year. I have on many occasions this year expressed my appreciation for working with such committed men and women, whose loyalty to our people is immeasurable.
Today we are concluding yet another momentous year, one of the busiest for hon members and the committees of the Council. I am proud to be part of a leadership collective that continues to demonstrate its strong resolve and commitment to working tirelessly and with the utmost dedication.
I would like to sincerely thank all of you - I repeat, all of you -for your individual contributions. The work of our committees and plenary sessions attest to the dedication, loyalty and commitment that you have shown this year.
This year we have witnessed the most robust engagements and debates this Council has ever seen. We have passed more motions and asked more questions than in any other year since this Council was established in 2002.
Our committees have continued with their work to ensure that our Council plays an important role in our national quest to build a better life for our people and ensure that we bring to the fore the voices of our people in the provinces.
As a Council, we have ensured that the issues facing our people receive the utmost attention from the government. We have also continued with our work of holding the government accountable. We have done so because we are aware that accountability and a high sense of responsibility in the governance of the affairs of the people is the bedrock of our democracy, and it is our collective duty as representatives of the people to protect and defend our democratic ideals.
We have undertaken the most successful Provincial Week, and recently visited the people of uMzinyathi as part of our programme of Taking Parliament to the People.
Your conduct and character show your commitment to working tirelessly and with utter dedication to leave a lasting legacy for our Parliament, specifically our Council. Your dedication and hard work are reflected in the important role that our Council continues to play in the evolution of our young nation. You have truly entrenched the NCOP as one of the most important institutions of our democracy.
We have also worked continuously to create space for our people to raise their challenges and give true meaning to the concept of a People's Parliament. Our Council has been consistent in its message of being the voice of our people. Indeed, through its work, the NCOP has helped to bring practical meaning to participatory democracy and representing issues that our people are confronted with on a daily basis.
I know that while we have come to the last day of the official sitting of our Council this year, many of our hon members will still be hard at work in their constituencies. As we continue to communicate the message of hope and service to our people, we must also take some time to rest, recuperate and re-energise our vigour and spend time with our families.
Lastly, allow me to thank all of you for the support you gave me at the beginning of the year 2011. It was tough, but you made me understand that amputation was not the end of my life. Let's do this for all those who need comfort, particularly hon Rantho, who lost her brother in a fire in the Strand, and hon Mlenzana, whose son was stabbed to death last Saturday.
In conclusion, as we depart from the precincts of Parliament and drive to our various destinations, let us be safe and continue to preach the gospel of safety on our roads.
I wish you and your families a happy festive season and a prosperous new year. May we all come back next year as good as we are this year. Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]