So, these are measures that Cabinet has decided upon and which will be implemented amongst both political office bearers and officials employed in government, government entities or state-owned entities. [Interjections.]
In conclusion, I want to thank President Zuma for his wise and steadfast leadership ... [Interjections.] ... and Deputy President Motlanthe for his valued guidance and intervention. [Applause.] I am grateful for the support of the Ministers' Committee on the Budget, members of the Treasury Committee, my Cabinet colleagues and Deputy Ministers, Premiers and provincial finance MECs, in what has been a difficult but, indeed, hopeful time as well.
My sincere appreciation goes to the following for their invaluable and constructive contributions: Mr Thaba Mufamadi, Mr Sogoni, Mr De Beer and Mr Chaane, who chair the Standing Committees on Finance and Appropriations and the Select Committee on Finance; the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, Mr Godi; Parliament, itself, for the crucial role it plays in processing and overseeing legislation - and we would like to call upon all parties to support government in the implementation of the NDP; the Governor of the SA Reserve Bank, Ms Marcus, and her team, for a very supportive monetary policy; and the Auditor-General, Mr Nombembe, who retires shortly. I would also like to welcome his successor, Mr Makwetu, and wish him and his staff well for their future work. [Applause.]
My sincere appreciation also goes to the Acting Commissioner of the SA Revenue Service, Sars, Mr Pillay, and the staff of Sars, for their creative and valiant efforts to collect revenue and taxes from all of you, as well; Deputy Minister Nene, for his invaluable support and sharing of duties over the year; Director-General of the Treasury, Mr Fuzile, who has provided erudite and prudent leadership; and the vast, dedicated and patriotic Treasury team, which has consistently done what is in the best interest of all South Africans. [Applause.]
I also want to add my appreciation to the directors-general of all departments, and heads of all government entities, without whose co- operation the work that we do would not be possible.
As we know, we are living through turbulent global economic circumstances. Taking the National Development Plan as a point of departure, Cabinet has agreed to a budget framework which protects our fiscal position and supports policies and programmes that support inclusive and sustainable growth. This is a framework that acknowledges that there is hard work ahead, and recognises that a faster growing economy is in everyone's interest.
We will all gain when more people have work. We will all gain when more of our firms can compete in international markets and gain market share. We all gain when rising incomes contribute to greater capacity for Public Service delivery. We all gain when our divisions and inequality fade into history and we celebrate a shared and more prosperous future.
As we head towards two full decades of freedom, let us reaffirm our commitment to the ideals that our leaders have stood for. In the words of former President Nelson Mandela:
Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.
[Applause.]
Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.
I hereby submit the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, 2013, and I table, amongst this pack of documents, the Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure, the Adjustments Appropriation Bill, 2013, and the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill, 2013, for consideration by Parliament. I thank you. [Applause.]