Hon Speaker, when President Zuma recently outlined the very visible - that is, to those who do not purposely turn a blind eye - successes in service delivery by the ANC-led government in just 18 years, much criticism was forthcoming from the opposition.
Government has made strides in providing basic services that were historically, during the apartheid era, meant for the few from one race. These services are formal housing, clean water and sanitation, roads, electricity to millions of homes, social protection and creating a safety net for millions of South Africans through social grants - and the list goes on.
This assertion can be backed by solid research, such as that published by the SA Institute of Race Relations between 1996 and 2010, which indicated, for example, that the number of households living in formal houses increased from 5,8 million to 11 million, or by 89,9%. The number of households with access to electricity increased by 127,9% - from 5,2 million to 11,9 million. The number of households with access to piped water increased by 76,6%. Is that not demonstration enough of what the President was alluding to? The ANC will continue to build upon these achievements in order to realise set goals meant to improve the quality of the lives of South Africans.
In deepening democracy we need, in a credible manner, to understand the role of the opposition - that of monitoring the ruling party to promote accountability. It is also the role of the opposition to provide support with regard to the enhancement of the lives of South Africans. That is instead of engaging in cheap point-scoring and politicking in pursuit of negating the achievements attained by the ANC, enjoyed by ordinary South Africans. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]