Hon House Chairperson, Africans in this country have been subjected to degradation that has spanned centuries and this has had negative impacts on our people, even to this day. The then government turned us into owls. By that I mean that we have been turned into nocturnal animals. Thanks to the government of the ANC, we are today witnessing communities that have electricity. We are saying this well aware that we have not as yet arrived in this regard, but we have drawn up a realistic programme that is achievable. While our people continue to complain about electricity, we believe that in the end this will be a complaint of the past.
One of the most important aspects and challenges facing our country is economic development. In Sekhukhune this challenge faces us in the wake of the emergence of platinum mining after the discovery of large tracks of platinum. This development is a good indicator for all South Africans.
On the other hand, we cannot continue to see our people suffering whilst they are witnessing tons and tons of riches extracted from their soil for the benefit of the few. It is high time that, as South Africans, we balance the interests of our communities with the interests of the few.
We have had the opportunity to revisit the area of Sekhukhune and, in particular, the Leolo Mountains, where it was indicated during the Taking Parliament to the People visit that mothers die in community hands because the roads are not navigable and people cannot access health facilities such as ambulances. The community spoke the truth as the Mercedes Benz Vito, our allocated transport, could not ascend the mountains and we had to exercise our muscles going up the mountain to witness first-hand what is happening there.
Upon reaching the area, we found that the only visible marks of our government in the area are some RDP houses. The schools that are found in the area are dilapidated, the clinic is a tin house donated by community individuals, and the paypoint is a kraal which is the result of a community initiative.
We are therefore appealing to the national government to ensure that we turn this situation around as soon as possible. Since we have confidence in the ANC, we are thanking you in advance for ensuring that the plan is carried out.
Jane Furse in Makhuduthamaga must, as a matter of urgency, be turned into a rural development node. The area has the potential to develop into one of the first rural towns under the democratic dispensation. "The doors of learning and culture shall be opened." Sekhukhune needs a university and the community is continually asking for one. Let us turn this into a reality so that we can turn our people there into better persons, equipped with the knowledge to manage and produce their own wealth.
As Limpopo, we therefore move for the adoption of the report on the "Taking Parliament to the People" programme undertaken in Limpopo from 23 to 26 March 2010. I thank you. [Applause.]