Chairperson, let me start by saying that I am honoured to be able to stand here in good health and in high spirits, participating in the debate on this topic for the fifth consecutive year. We are, indeed, all very blessed to be here and I wish to pay tribute to the Almighty for this and all the manifold blessings we receive daily, sometimes without noticing or realising it. The year behind us was filled with many highs and lows and I cannot think of a single dull moment. So, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all of you for the part you played in making our plenaries and committee meetings vibrant and interesting - unlike the times of the previous Parliaments, which, I am told, were sometimes pretty dull and subdued.
I have prepared a festive message for many of you, as individuals and groups, but I thought I had six minutes. Now I see the Chief Whip took ten, so we only get two, but I will try to leave my nice message for all of you in two minutes by cutting out some of the things - unfortunately.
To you, Chairperson, I hope you've found the farm that you've been dreaming of. And, perhaps, as we are at the end of the year, it is a good time for you to contemplate ways of sharing all those distinctive parliamentary blazers, like the one you have been wearing lately in our plenaries, with the rest of our delegates so that we can also look smart in parliamentary blazers.
Our Deputy Chair, hon Peggy Hollander, I hope you have time to visit all those nine provinces that you speak of so often.
I have messages for the Chair, Chief Whip and everybody else, especially for the ANC, which is that I hope they will be able to cope next year! [Interjections.] The most important message must go to my colleagues for their wonderful support. In all seriousness, I wish you and all our delegates and colleagues the very best during the festive season and in the year ahead. May that wonderful message of Christmas that we all believe in find its way into your hearts and your homes, and into the hearts and homes of all your loved ones. I thank you. [Applause.]