Deputy Chairperson, Chairperson of the NCOP, hon fellow delegates, this will be the seventh opportunity for me to participate in a debate on the Budget Vote for Parliament. I must say that, especially in regard to the NCOP, much has been achieved over the years. In saying that, one cannot but acknowledge the tremendous role played by our Chairperson, hon M J Mahlangu, in building on the image of the institution whilst, at all times, considering the interests and the needs of the delegates.
During the past six years and seven Budget Vote debates, I have stood here drawing attention to many shortcomings in our operation, whilst offering suggestions to improve and acknowledging the positive. To me, possibly the worst nightmares emanated over the years from being steered and bulldozed by the administration and staff of the institution, rather than by the presidium and the members. Speaking on behalf of my party, the DA, I have always maintained that we are called Members of Parliament because Parliament is our institution and should, as such, be governed by us.
I am happy to acknowledge that that has now come to an end. Whilst planning and decision-making is now firmly in the hands of those elected to govern the NCOP, serious thought must be given to more getting input from the ordinary delegates to establish their views and needs, especially when it comes to major events and excursions like Taking Parliament to the People, workshops and conferences. Questions to the executive remain one of the most important tools in our oversight function. However, I am afraid it has steadily become a source of great frustration to the delegates. We are aware of the fact that the Chairperson is attending to the problem of written questions from the NCOP not being answered in good time, and we thank him for that. But this perceived disregard of the NCOP is also reflected in the attendance by Ministers at question sessions in the NCOP. Then I ask: Why is the National Assembly, NA, favoured by having questions posed to and answered by both the President and the Deputy President, whilst in the NCOP we only have the privilege of questions to the Deputy President? Is that not just another contributing factor to the attitude of some individuals of treating the NCOP as inferior?
The update of the Rules of the NCOP and their application in the House is also a matter that has been uppermost in our minds over many years. I am happy to report that we, as the subcommittee, have gone a long way in considering amendments. We look forward to the finalisation of the Rules by the Rules Committee at the meeting scheduled by the Chairperson to start on 4 June, so that we can have a fresh set of Rules to work with when we come back from the Fifa extravaganza.
Having up-to-date Rules is, however, by no means enough. We need to embark on a programme of empowering ourselves as delegates with regard to the how and when of those Rules, particularly to protect each other and ourselves. I am not propagating a stiff, militarised assembly where no one dares to be out of step at any time. On the contrary, legislatures all over the world have been known for spontaneous wit and humour, and that must be preserved at all costs.
However, when rising on serious points of order, points of clarity or requests to address the Chair, actions should be in accordance with the prescribed Rules. We must be serious and act accordingly. It also follows logically, and even more importantly, that decisions and rulings from the Chair should, likewise, be professional interpretations of the Rules and should add to the decorum of the House rather than break it down.
As in previous years, I have said nothing about the actual finances of Parliament because my party's Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip will again attend to that when addressing the National Assembly later today. I will, therefore, remain focused on the NCOP as such, and end with my favourite topic, namely the place and stature of the NCOP in society.
The sad fact is that we are still, and remain, an unknown entity in the world out there, a poor replacement for the once illustrious Senate of the Republic of South Africa. Now, much has been said about the problem and many recommendations have been made. Chairperson, you would recall that we even devoted part of our 10-year celebrations to discussing this matter. I will never forget the professor of constitutional affairs who stood up and said that he has taught 600 students, and if he doesn't know what the NCOP does, then how could we expect him to teach 600 students to know what we were doing.
But I have a solution. Let us make and implement one small change to the Constitution and rename this House the National Senate of Provinces. It won't be long before we will simply be referred to as the Senate and we, the delegates, will be senators once again. Think about it. I thank you.