Chair, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon MECs and special greetings to our MEC from the Northern Cape, the hon Pauline Williams - welcome to the House. The Department of Sport and Recreation has received a qualified audit report for two consecutive years. We, in the ID, are hoping that 2010 will be different.
It is our belief that this department should use the opportunity of hosting a world-class sporting event like the 2010 Fifa World Cup to become a world- class department. If we have the ability to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup, then, surely, we can get an unqualified audit report.
Sport het die vermo om ons kinders te help ontwikkel en om 'n toekoms vir hulle te kan bou. Dit maak 'n kind bewus dat omstandighede jou nie kan terughou om dit te kan bereik wat jy graag wil bereik nie. Sportgeriewe by ons voorheen benadeelde skole, is glad nie na wense nie en dit maak sommige kinders mismoedig. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Sport has the ability to help with the development of our children and to build a future for them. It makes children aware of not allowing conditions to prevent them from achieving what they really want to achieve. Sports facilities at our previously disadvantaged schools are not up to scratch and this makes some children discouraged.]
We, as the ID, are mindful that the 2010 Fifa World Cup has the ability to boost the department's morale, which has suffered over the past few years. I would like to quote former Presidents. Firstly, let me quote the words of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela:
The World Cup will help unify our people. If there is one thing on this planet that has the power to bind people together, it is soccer.
Let me quote the former President, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki:
The Soccer World Cup in Africa reaffirms our common humanity and proves we all belong to one family.
I would like to repeat what I have said many times before: In a nation with the highest inequalities in the world, the real challenge will be to translate the billions we have spent on the 2010 Fifa World Cup into something tangible and sustainable for our people in the months and years after the final whistle has blown.
The ID also supports the portfolio committee's decision to summon the department before each quarter to report back on the Division of Revenue Act grant-spending progress in the provinces.
I am happy to announce here today that there is no need for me to say anything negative about our team Bafana Bafana, who are putting in their best; the coach, whom we have come to accept; the Gautrain, which is basically ready; the vuvuzelas, which we are all going to blow very hard on 11 June; and the beautiful stadiums. The ID supports this Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]