Voorsitter, die DA is ernstig ten opsigte van kinderregte in ons land, en die afwesigheid van die agb President en die meeste van sy agb kabinetslede in die Huis is beslis 'n klap in die gesig van ons families en kinders, en so ook, ten opsigte van die internasionale gemeenskap. Die ANC is beslis nie ernstig oor kinders nie.
Ek is verder bekommerd dat die Huis altyd maar so lyk wanneer ons oor kinders, en veral ook oor vroue, praat. Ek hoop dat die ANC die erns van die DA hoor. Dit herinner my ook verder aan die Wes-Kaap toe ek in 2007 die ANC gewaarsku het dat hulle in 2009 die Wes-Kaap nie weer gaan regeer nie. En dit het gebeur. En ek vertrou dat u die waarskuwing hoor. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Mrs P C DUNCAN: Chairperson, the DA is serious about the rights of children in our country, and the absence of the hon President and most of his hon Cabinet members in this House is definitely a slap in the face of our families and children, and this is also the case in respect of the international community. The ANC is definitely not serious about children.
Furthermore, I am concerned that the House always looks like this when we talk about our children, and about women in particular. I hope the ANC is listening to the earnestness of the DA. Besides, it also reminds me of the Western Cape, when I warned the ANC in 2007 that they will not be governing the Western Cape again in 2009. And it happened. And I trust that you are able to hear the warning.]
Today, together with countries around the globe, we commemorate International Children's Day in honour of all our children. I wish to share a poem written by Francis Eileen Africa:
Let the child live, a message to parents
We did not choose you You chose us We did not ask to be in this world You brought us here
We never wanted to feel hurt You are causing us grief We never wanted to be hungry You are starving us
We never wanted to feel the cold You are taking away our shelter We never wanted to feel so lost You are abandoning us
We never wanted to see anger You are showing us hatred We never wanted to feel so lonely You are keeping the distance
We never wanted to leave your side You are isolating us We always just wanted to be loved You are not sharing it with us
Since you chose us Why then all the fuss? All you have to do Is accept your choice and to see it through.
Francis Africa was a health practitioner who served the most vulnerable groups, including children, with great passion, empathy and commitment for 41 years. When seen through her eyes, many others like her, and those of our children, is it not evident that the social constructs of our children, families, communities and society at large - not only in South Africa, but worldwide - have come to haunt us?
The challenge, given the facts and figures in the South African context, is whether we are ready as a nation to vigorously address this major challenge. Our children's future is at stake and the future is currently in the hands of government, civil society, the private sector, the justice system, nonprofit organisations, NGOs and, most of all, parents and families at large.
On behalf of the DA, I therefore appeal to the ANC-led government today, and in particular, to hon President Jacob Zuma, to stop corruption and immediately curb the wasteful and fruitless expenditure of government departments, institutions and organisations. This funding can surely be best utilised to ensure faster delivery on all the rights of our children.
To all parents and families, let us take the responsibility to love, care for, protect and ensure the wellbeing of all our children. [Time expired.] [Applause.]