Deputy Speaker, could the Minister please state what return in investment the taxpayer will get from the R26-million investment in this satellite within the next six months? Would the Minister tell this House by what scientific methods the performance of this satellite's earth science applications will be measured, and which state entities will undertake this evaluation?
We ask the Minister to report back to this House before the end of the first parliamentary session next year - that is, before the Fifa 2010 World Cup kickoff - on what the Sumbandila satellite has achieved for the socioeconomic development of our land, the value of that scientific research, and the taxpayer's return on the investment.
We welcome the Minister's assurances that the satellite will be used only for scientific research, but now we want to see research turned into tangible benefits on the ground. Since 2006, the taxpayer has waited for payback from the Sumbandila satellite. Its launch was delayed mainly, we believe, by a dispute with Russia, the launch nation, over the cancellation of an earlier, shady, multibillion-rand Defence Force deal.
Where have we heard this before - that the citizens' benefits come second to the ANC cadre get-rich-quick agendas? We need a return on this investment in the satellite soon, Madam Minister. I hope you will be able to give it to us by next year. [Time expired.]