Yes, it is tipping over a bit, like Oom Koos and I do at times, right?
Nevertheless, we should really take a thorough look at that, because if one considers that 116 people are not sitting behind their desks at the offices of the Department of Communications, that is an unbelievable number! I'm just worried that the department will go down the same road as the SABC. What did the SABC do? Where they had one boss, for instance, to man this microphone, three bosses were then appointed. They sit there looking at each other while not one of them knows how to operate that microphone. That is my problem, hon Minister. Very serious attention should be given to this.
I am very glad about the decision on the European Digital Terrestrial Television standard, DTT. I am just sorry that we trod water for so long before taking this decision, but once again, these were political decisions of the past. I'm not laying this at your door, Minister. These are now historical facts, but I am glad that the choice has been made. It is just a pity that time was wasted and that we had to rush through Brazil and actually waste Parliament's money. Brazil was very enjoyable and interesting, but still ...
There is one thing I want to ask you, hon Minister, and that is never to allow politicians to control the SABC. I was at the SABC in those days. Back then it was not very nice to receive calls - from Riaan Eksteen, who was still the director-general at the time - and then to hear that Uncle PW's wife had heard something that I was supposed to have said on the radio. I was in terrible trouble then! This is the effect of political control on such an important organisation as the SABC.
I was employed in the actuality programmes, where you had to give daily reports on whether someone might have accidentally said something negative about the National Party. You had to edit everything carefully because, if you did broadcast it, you would be in big trouble. So I am sure, Minister, that I have great confidence in you.]