As we have announced on previous occasions, we have pioneered a mineral beneficiation strategy as national policy, we have developed a beneficiation strategy implementation plan framework. The implementation plan further outlines modalities for the implementation of the game-changing opportunity, which is conceptualised as a win-win value proposition for miners, beneficiators and the industry. It is important to reaffirm our position that mining rights holders are not expected to undertake beneficiation as it is not their core business, but rather to contribute meaningfully to national development through mechanisms outlined in the plan.
Since the introduction of the Precious Metals Act and the Diamonds Act, as amended, the benefit of jurisprudence has highlighted significant shortcomings during the implementation of both Acts, both of which have experienced reversals in transformation and a decline in beneficiation activities related to the jewellery industry. It is our intention to review both Acts in order to maximise the beneficiation of precious metals and diamonds, the developmental impact and transformation in general in the subsector. We have partnered with other provinces like Gauteng and Mpumalanga in this area.
As we speak today, South Africa is not only a founding member state of the Kimberley Process, which was inaugurated at the Tabernacle Church in Kimberley, but was the first chair of the scheme. This year, the international diamond community has reaffirmed its confidence in South Africa by bestowing the honour of chairing the scheme at its 10th anniversary since its establishment. As we know today, the proceeds of conflict diamonds have previously been used to destabilise democratic governments, especially in Africa.
I am pleased to inform the House of our readiness to host an important meeting of the Kimberley Process in June. We, once more, commit ourselves as South Africa to leading. We have coined a felicitous theme for the period of South Africa's chairship of the Kimberley Process that is titled "Ten Years of stemming the flow of conflict diamonds", which will inform and direct proceedings of crucial engagements with Kimberley Process participants.
As we speak today, Mintek is involved in research on nanotechnology for medical applications of gold and to give effect to the hydrogen strategy. Our science councils, in the form of Mintek and the Council for Geoscience, play a critical role as delivery agents in the rehabilitation programme that seeks to mitigate the negative environmental legacy of our mining and associated latent hazards to proximal communities.
In conclusion, we have demonstrated both as the ANC and the government, led by this glorious movement of our people, that we are perfectly capable of rising above narrow short-termism and that we take decisions that are in the best interests of this country and our people.
I am sure that building on what we outlined today, we can indeed work together in partnership and demonstrate respect for basic and decent things like collective bargaining structures. If we succeed, we will build on the Freedom Charter and the constitutional promise of handing over a country to the next generation that truly and genuinely belongs to all those who live in it, black and white.
I respectfully request this committee, my hon colleagues on my right or left, to support this budget. On our side, we will continue to work towards a clean audit going forward. I look forward to you, hon Smith, and hon Lorimer supporting us. I thank you. [Applause.]