Chairperson, Minister, Deputy Minister ...
...MaRhadebe, nisebenzile, nkosikazi. I-ANC, ngolwimi lwesiXhosa, iyalwamkela olu hlalo-lwabiwo-mali lwalo nyaka, nemigaqo-nkqubo ethiwe thaca leli sebe kulo nyaka-mali. Silwamkela sikhwina, kodwa loo nto ayithi masingazami ukuqoqosha, sikusebenzise ngononophelo esinako silisebe. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[... MaRhadebe, well done, Madam. The ANC supports this year's Budget Vote, and the policies that have been tabled by this department in this financial year. We support them, and although we are not disheartened, that does not mean we must not be economical and spend what we have as a department wisely.] Frugal measures and austerity dictate in the prevailing global economic turbulence.
Having appraised the constructive and invaluable articulations by my colleagues, and observations made by the hon Mam' uNjobe, Shah, Farrow, Mam' uZikalala and Swart, there's nothing much that one can say, save that their inputs are salient and pertinent.
Ndifuna ukubhekisa kuwe sihlalo. Ndineenyangana nje ezimbini okanye ezintathu ndikule komiti ijongene neli sebe ... [I am referring to you, chairperson. I have been serving in this portfolio committee for only two or three months ...]
... but something that I truly appreciate is the co-operation that has been spearheaded by your leadership, and your skill in putting us together, so that we see with one eye and hear with one ear.
We have been on this long journey together. The year 1994 brought about liberation for all South Africans, black and white. We were all there. The ANC, as a liberation movement, fought not only for black people but for all nationalities, including whites, even those who sanctimoniously espoused apartheid as a God-approved tool of dominance and oppression.
The question today is: Have our national policies and programmes addressed the prejudices and socioeconomic imbalances of the past? Have our imaginary insecurities not bred despondency and defence mechanisms that tend to reinvent racism and ethnic-sectarian economic and social exclusion? In so doing, have they systematically and deviously used the very laws and policies of liberation to reincarnate the tribulations and evils of the past? Intolerance among South Africans and restiveness among the youth are concerns. It would be an indictment of us here present if we did not arrest this nemesis.
The President, in his state of the nation address, laid the foundation. In response, the Minister and the department tabled before us their strategic plan and the tools of their trade. It is for us to monitor and oversee the inputs and the outcomes of their implementation.
The White Paper on tourism highlights reconciliation, socioeconomic empowerment and equity, as espoused by the ANC, further ingrained in our Constitution, and piloted by Comrade Mandela in our first Parliament. Minister, we spoke about this when we came in here. We then ask: Where are we coming from and where are we going?
This then begs the question: Where do we place tourism in all of this? Tourism - and the budget before us - are a fundamental instrument for advancing our constitutional imperatives as defined by our White Paper on tourism, the Tourism Act, and the policies and regulations. These, together with the National Development Plan, the Industrial Policy Action Plan, the New Growth Path, the Tourism Sector Charter and the National Tourism Sector Strategy, in particular, bind us to co-operate with, integrate and tirelessly work in tandem with provinces, local municipalities, communities and stakeholders to achieve all these objectives. Are we there yet?
The positive audit report defines the department's commitment to performing its mandate to the hilt. Minister, I always say that self-praise is no recommendation, but we commend the department on that.
The department's Strategic Business Plan highlights the key obligations and commitments in achieving the intended projections and outcomes, as prescribed and advocated by the White Paper. Let's go back to the White Paper, because it is the foundation. Minister, when I looked at your business plan, I was quite impressed to see that everything that is contained in the White Paper is in your business plan. [Applause.]
The chairperson instructed me to respond to the correlation of adjustments made and budget allocation for the Policy and Knowledge Services programme. Mrs Njobe, I found what all members said to be accurate. Mr Sayedali Shah, I would like your attention, because you also raised issues. What is critical and so exciting is that, as they critique, members are also coming up with proposals for us to look into. I want to single out the members of the opposition parties and say that I don't see you doing it because you are being driven by your political affiliations, but because you are South Africans and you know where we come from. [Applause.]
Minister, under the particular programme that I am supposed to talk about, I have seen each and every activity that the department has committed itself to and the timeframes it has set. As a committee, we appreciate that. You indicated somewhere that 2014 was the date, but the portfolio committee requests that we also receive interim reports, so that we can move in tandem and step by step, rather than wait until then.
Minister and Deputy Minister, I commend you and your department for the work done. We are encouraged that you always uphold the principles of inclusivity, emphasise what the White Paper on Tourism dictates, and believe that tourism must be people-driven. You are working with the people instead of working for the people. You adhere to the clarion call, "Nothing about us without us". To your staff, individually, let me say that we commend your work ethic. Continue to be exemplary and adhere to the Batho Pele principle as you uphold the image of our government.
Hon Gumede, having served under your guidance the last few weeks, I can say without hesitation that your leadership is impeccable. [Applause.] The ANC supports this budget Vote.