Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to wish all hon members of this House a refreshing time of rest after yet another long year of hard work. May you and your families have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
As most people in this country are waiting with great anticipation for the decisions that will be made at the ANC conference in Limpopo next month, with the knowledge that the decisions made there will affect us all, I want to give the ANC some advice and also pray for their conference. [Interjections.] My advice to the voting delegates is that they choose as their leader, a person of integrity who believes in and will pursue righteousness and justice far all.
May I remind hon members of the words of a great king who in his time was the wisest person alive, King Solomon, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people".
I now want to pray for hon members and the ANC conference:
Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for Your help and for Your grace throughout this year. As we will be going to our respective homes, I pray for travel mercies for every member of this House.
I pray even for the ANC conference that is coming. My prayer, Father, in the name of Jesus, is that the decisions that will be made there will fit into Your plan and purpose for this nation.
I thank You for Your guidance and for ensuring that everything is done according to your plan and your purpose. May Your kingdom come and may Your will be done. In Jesus' name, be blessed. Amen. [Applause.]