Chairperson, hon members and my hon comrades, in this last sitting of the National Council of Provinces in the Third Parliament of our country, I, in my capacity as the Chief Whip, consider it appropriate, but also an honour and a privilege to refer briefly to the reasons for the existence, development and accomplishments of the NCOP since its inception, and more specifically over the past five years.
This institution is also referred to as the upper House of Parliament and represents South Africa's provinces to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of politics. It does this mainly by participating in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for consideration of issues affecting the people in the provinces.
It contributes to effective government by exercising oversight over the national aspects of provincial and local government. It also ensures recognition of provincial and local concerns in national policy-making and that the three spheres of government function effectively together.
In this regard, I would like to agree with the late hon Joyce Kgoali, a former Chairperson of the NCOP, when she said, and I quote:
The NCOP, provinces and municipalities are the cutting edge of the national programme to build a better life for all.
Since the inception of the NCOP in 1997 in the new dispensation, which marked a clear break with the old Senate that preceded it, it has evolved into a key institution that is tasked with safeguarding South Africa's democracy. It serves as a sanctuary for the protection of the needs and rights of the people of South Africa in the provinces.
During his tenure as Deputy President of South Africa, the one who is going to be the President of this country, come April 22, hon Mr Jacob Zuma said:
No other institution in the country can showcase our beautiful and rich diversity as a nation quite as succinctly as the NCOP. I am sure that the authors of our Constitution would be very pleased to see how their noble intentions are being realized. From giving life to the principle of co- operative governance to giving a powerful voice to the masses of our people in the various provinces and local areas, we are, through the efforts of the NCOP, building and consolidating a true participatory democracy. I want to say that we've seen the good strides made by the NCOP in many areas in the past. The Multiparty Whips' Forum is one of the important mechanisms and key instruments in ensuring multiparty democracy in the NCOP. It does this by affording political parties a platform to share ideas on measures to strengthen the functioning of the NCOP, while it contributes immensely to multiparty co-operation.
Despite having taken over the management of the Whippery only a year ago, I am convinced that it has an important role to play in supporting the NCOP in meeting its constitutional mandate of representing the country's provinces. As a passionate member of the ANC, I am convinced that I am a very passionate member of this House and a citizen of this country. I therefore wish to thank all the members of my party who have given me the strength to serve in this position, particularly during the past 18 months. Being in this position has not been easy.
The opportunity to serve as the Chief Whip was a great honour for me. I also express my profound appreciation to the hon M J Mahlangu, the Chairperson of the NCOP, the Deputy Chairperson Mrs Hollander, and the two House Chairpersons. Of course, I'm also grateful to the former Chief Whip, Comrade V V Windvol, for the work he had done before me.
Lastly, I want to conclude by saying ...
... ngomhla wama-22 kuTshazimpuzi, ngentsimbi ye-12 emini maqanda, kuza kucaca ukuba ngubani ophetheyo. Ngelo xesha uMsholozi sakube simlungiselela ukuya eMahlambandlovu.
I-ANC iza kuphatha, iphathe; ibuye iphathe. Ndifuna ke ukutsho kuwo onke amalungu ale Ndlu ukuba, bekumnadi ukusebenza nani nonke. Ngelishwa, akukho waziyo ukuba ngubani obuyayo; ingubani ongabuyiyo. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[... on 22 April, at twelve midday, we will know who is in charge. At that time we will be preparing to take Msholozi to Mahlambandlovu.
The ANC shall govern, govern and govern again. I would like to say to all the members of this House that I enjoyed working with all of you. Unfortunately, no one knows who is coming back and who is not.]
Woza mhla ka-22 kuMbasa, abanye bazowukhomba umuzi onotshwala. [Come 22 April, others will face the consequences.]
Malibongwe! [Ihlombe.] [Praise! [Applause.]]