Chairperson, I am sorry that I have do this, but I have to start my speech on a bit of a sad note. It is indeed sad that we have to end the year with both the Secretary of Parliament and the Secretary of the NCOP under suspension. It is in reality symptomatic of the entire ANC administration all over our beautiful South Africa.
And you will remember that I have warned from this podium on many occasions that the administration of Parliament has usurped far too much power for themselves and that the powers of Parliament belong with the duly elected politicians.
Now I could use my three little minutes to tell you how to rectify the matter, Chairperson, but that will not be necessary at this very late stage, because we will do it ourselves as the DA after the elections. [Interjections.]
The boasting of the Minister for Provincial and Local Government will probably also be his famous last words, because the tide is changing and the voters of South Africa are waking up to the reality. [Interjections.] And all of you should also wake up: The scoreboard will look very different this time around.
But enough of the serious stuff. Let me say that looking back over the past five years, it has mostly been a very, very pleasant experience indeed. I have had the privilege of also serving in the National Assembly, and I must admit, Chair, that the collegiality and the dynamics of this smaller House are better by far. So those of you who are going there: bad luck for you! [Laughter.]
I agree with hon Le Roux that much of this pleasant atmosphere must be attributed to the exceptional leadership of the Chairperson, Mr M J Mahlangu, and I wish to thank him and his entire team on behalf of all the DA permanent delegates. We wish you well in your future endeavours, whether it be somewhere else or back here, Sir.
It has also been quite an experience working with all my other colleagues in this House. Of course, all the experiences were not pleasant at all times, because the majority of you unfortunately are programmed by your parties' ideologies and that does not mix so well with the free-thinking, liberal spirit that you find among my DA colleagues and I. [Interjections.] I will remember the witty interactions, and the very good friendships.
Let me end by also thanking my colleagues in the DA for the wonderful team I have had. They have had to cope with me, and now I will have to cope with myself. But I thank my wonderful team for their zeal in their daily tasks, and also for their endeavours. It has been an inspiration to me, and the personal support that I have had from them all has made my task lighter and my life brighter. Thank you, my friends. May all of you be blessed by the Heavenly Father and may all of your dreams come true. May I end with something from long ago? There was a radio station called LM Radio; some of the older people will remember it. The most famous guy on LM Radio was a man called David Davies. You know, those days the radio would close down at twelve o'clock - or was it ten o'clock, I can't remember. But in those days he ended his radio programme by greeting everybody by saying: "And now to you, and to you, and especially to you, all the best for the future!" Stay well, God bless you all. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]