Thank you very much indeed, Madam Speaker. It is always good at these end-of-year functions to reflect on the year that has passed, both the good and the bad. There is always the good. We have passed legislation, we have done our oversight work reasonably well, we have tried to hold the executive to account and, generally, we have done the work that is expected of us - not always well, but we certainly have done it.
But, of course, there is the bad too. Parliament itself is anything but well run. As MPs, we are dictated to by the bureaucrats who clearly run Parliament and, quite frankly, the bureaucrats themselves are not doing a good job. It certainly is a challenge for 2008 for us as MPs to assume control of our own institution again, and let the bureaucrats know that Parliament exists because we as MPs, elected by the people, are here and not because they are here. They are here to serve us, and not vice versa. And I sincerely hope that we will take up this challenge in the new year.
I want to say that from the DA's point of view, we as a party have had a particularly good year. Apart from our good performance in this House and in the NCOP, we have undergone a remarkably smooth transition from the brilliance of the Leon years, as our leader, to the huge opportunities that the Zille years present us with in the future.
Now this change of leadership could not have been smoother: a leader retiring on his own terms amid a huge wave of popular sentiment in favour of all that he has achieved and a new leader elected in a clean, hard- fought election campaign and immediately endorsed by the whole party in an equally huge wave of acclamation and support. [Applause.] There can be no better way of doing things and South Africa, generally, has acknowledged this. Now, of course, this year ends with the ANC facing their own congress at which their leadership challenge will come to a head. It is quite clear that it is unlikely to be anywhere near as clean and peaceful as the DA's was.
I have to add, watching the shambles in the House this afternoon, that I do trust that their congress will be better run than the ANC have run their party in this House this afternoon. [Interjections.] It has been a shambles.
Now we acknowledge, of course, that the ANC congress will be a much bigger event than ours was, because while we may have been electing a person who may well become the President of South Africa in the future, the ANC will most probably be electing a leader who will become the President of the country in 2009.
So, it would be appropriate on this occasion, since it is the last time that we will be with our ANC colleagues before their Polokwane congress, to wish them all the best for their congress. I believe it is also appropriate to remind them that they are not just electing a new leader for their party.
They are, probably electing the next President of South Africa - a person who will be the President of us all, not just of the ANC. So, to ANC members I say: Please, for the sake of all South Africans, choose wisely, choose carefully and choose someone who will truly represent all South Africans. You owe that to all of us.
Now, with farewell speeches of this nature it is always appropriate in them to say a number of thank yous. I was remarkably well informed yesterday that Sound & Vision feel very left out because nobody ever thanks them for anything. They tell me they get blamed for everything, but never thanked, and they asked me to make this House aware in particular that they had nothing to do with the Children's Bill. [Laughter.]
So, let me begin by thanking Sound & Vision for their work this year. They have a tough time, often having to work with obsolete equipment, but Sound & Vision's services are certainly appreciated. [Interjections.] Yes, John Jeffery, I heard that and I'll get you back.
To all the staff in Parliament, especially those who make a real effort, thanks for all you do, whether it be cleaning or catering, whether you are a service officer, or you work in the Finance Section and pay our salaries - thank you to you all for your efforts during this year.
To the Table staff in the National Assembly, Mr Mansura and his gang, thanks for a job well done. You are always most obliging in all you undertake, and we are grateful to you. [Applause.] "Gang": that's exactly what I said. I'm very glad that you are listening. It's marvellous.
To my friends and colleagues in the Whippery, I have to say that apart from the Moseneke Commission, I believe we won some important battles during the course of the year on behalf of MPs. We have worked well together generally, and it has been good. My own colleagues inform me that the Moseneke Commission was the most important battle and, having failed on that, we failed miserably. I would like to think that some of us know a little bit better.
To the House Chairs, it has been a pleasure working with you - good, efficient people who take their jobs very seriously and, I believe, genuinely are there to serve MPs. To the presiding officers, the Deputy Speaker and the Speaker, you have kept us in check. You have given us a hard time, but I believe we have not all been paragons of virtue and have made you earn your money in trying to keep order in this House. [Applause.] Some of your rulings have been difficult to agree with but, generally, you have been very fair and we appreciate this very much, indeed.
Finally, to all the MPs particularly those in my own party but to all of you: Parliament exists because of us. We have, as a party, enjoyed interacting with you, admittedly some more than others, but on behalf of the DA, I wish you all and all members of the staff of Parliament as well - everyone related and associated with Parliament - a truly enjoyable rest and a happy and successful festive season. Thank you very much, indeed. [Applause.]