Chairperson, hon members, and ladies and gentlemen, the year ahead is the final one for Ministers in President Jacob Zuma's administration, as it is for those of us giving the annual budget ripostes. It is a year that will define the legacy of the executive, with Minister Robert Davies under scrutiny today, as it defines my contribution as a representative of the official opposition in Parliament. It is a year that defines two decades of the ANC government since uhuru in 1994, as it does the political character of the opposition as a whole. [Interjections.]
Where to begin? In 1994 we inherited a bankrupt fiscus, a sputtering economy, a nation damaged by apartheid, and a people traumatised by the violence of the transition. A group of leaders, among whom were Tito Mboweni, Derek Keys, Trevor Manuel, Minister Robert Davies and others, came together at Mont Fleur in 1992 and emerged with four scenarios represented by iconic "birds".
At that time the ostrich represented the white government, which kept its head in the sand to avoid a negotiated settlement with the black majority. Then there was the lame duck, which anticipated a prolonged transition under a weak government because it sought to satisfy everyone and satisfied no one. There was also Icarus, which represented a constitutionally promiscuous government which came to power on a wave of populist support, embarking on an unsustainable public spending programme and crashing the economy. Finally, there was the flamingo which, in flight mode, made hope and history rhyme, uniting the country in a successful transition, with all citizens rising slowly and together.
Pippa Green tells the story of Trevor Manuel, Derek Keys, Alec Erwin, Maria Ramos, Andr Roux, Iraj Abedian and others in reforming what was an economy in a pathological state of decline at the time. This economic leadership laid responsible foundations for recovery, defined a stable route out of debt, and kept us out of the exacting hands of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Under apartheid, Trade and Industry was about protecting vested interests. Under Trevor Manuel ...
HON MEMBERS: The hon Manuel!