... by voters on the basis of their programmes and what they will come to Parliament and fight for. While they are in Parliament, they abandon that; they campaign for other positions, advanced by other parties. [Interjections.] [Applause.]
Leaving that aside, we are politicians. It paints a particular picture of the political landscape in the Parliament of South Africa. [Interjections.] The identities of some parties are beginning to disappear. [Interjections.]
The point I was raising is that, in the debate, uMntwana wakaPhindangene raised an issue. I have a problem conflating these issues, because he is here in Parliament, and joins the people that he feels he thinks together with to support a particular motion. Thereafter, uMntwana writes a letter to me, having acted with other parties, to explain to me why he did so. He then expects a response from me. [Interjections.]
Now, I have a problem, because uMntwana wakaPhindangene and I have had a lot of confidential discussions, and I have always respected that confidentiality. In fact, uMntwana will remember I am not in the habit of writing letters. If I want to talk to him, he knows I will ask for a meeting and discuss whatever the issue is. The issues may be highly confidential or party-related. Therefore, I do not want to respond to that matter. I just think it is a little uncomfortable, because each time there is a debate here, I have to be reminded about the letters. I then have to raise a whole range of other issues that I have raised in confidence, and I do not think it is correct.
It looks like whatever goes wrong, whether it is in the IFP, or wherever, I must be the one to blame. [Interjections.] I could even mention some very humble advice I have given in the past. It is confidential. I cannot talk about it here. I do not think it is right.
Part of the reason I have this problem is that we went to a prayer meeting requested by His Majesty the King. We were given a chance to speak there, and I was given the blame for things that are happening in this country. I do not think this is right, and I would really request that we should not ask to continue with that, otherwise I am going to raise issues, and I could even say what the issues were that we raised and discussed. Let us not score points in the wrong way. [Applause.] [Interjections.]