Hon Deputy Speaker, I first of all want to thank hon Skosana for responding to the issue raised by hon Rodgers.
I also thought that I should say I heard hon Rodgers saying: "Thank you, my Minister, for ensuring that you are always so accessible", or whatever words he used. Maybe I misheard him, but whatever he said, it was in the curveball kind of approach used all the time. I expected this; it was not surprising. We in the ANC have learnt to catch curveballs.
In the same vein, he also says that the hon Minister does not attend meetings. He says in these words: "My Minister" - My!- "we express our appreciation ... for being diligent" - he did say this - "and so passionate and committed".
Where do you see this passion if we never come to the committee? I mean, honestly, how on earth could we then become so unreliable? Sorry, please don't try this curveball.
Try something else, not this curveball - talking about Nkandla again, as you did in the middle of a debate on such a good law. It's a curveball. We can catch it, but today is not a day about Nkandla. [Interjections.]
Let me say this to South Africans, including the DA: Thank you very much. Today, the South African Parliament has said, loud and clear, that we are sending a signal through this Bill, which will be read for a third time today and will be assented to and signed off by the President.
The message we are sending is to the investors, and it is that they should have confidence in the growth of South Africa, because South Africa has said, loud and clear, that it is ready to process their applications timeously, with efficiency, dignity and complete professionalism. This is what we are saying through this law. [Applause.]
I want to thank all of you. I don't even have to respond to some of the issues, because all of the parties agreed, except to say that indeed we are looking forward to the passing of the Bill, the amendments in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill, next week when some of the changes that hon member De Lange spoke about will be effected.
I must also thank all hon members. This has not been an easy exercise. To be precise, it did not start only in 2008, as the hon member said. This discussion and this battle started way back when I was still MEC for Environment in 1996 and 1997. Of course, the discussions about integration and one system started in 2008, and Parliament is passing this Bill now today.
We are very grateful to you for all your hard work, hon Adv De Lange, and all the committee members, for working so hard continuously. This is one committee that has shown that indeed it is doable to integrate and that the best co-operative governance in South Africa is doable. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.