Deputy Speaker, hon Mpontshane, as I've already stated, we all carry the responsibility to ensure that the history that we inherit is presented as factually as possible. It is not easy to write contemporary history, because the temptation to embellish one's role is always looming large.
However, it is important that the facts are always presented for what they are without suffering from false consciousness. In other words, we should always guard against living in the past, because that also carries certain dangers.
Government, through the Department of Arts and Culture and other departments, tries, within the limits of what it can do, to ensure that due recognition is given to those who played a prominent role in our country. That does not mean that that is only measured in terms of one's involvement in the struggle for liberation, because the development of a society is a function of all contributions. When we participate in an election and register, such as one party that is not with us here, the Keep It Straight and Simple party, it was called the Kiss party, I think, that played an important role in our democracy, because they made their own effort to participate in the elections and even campaigned. The fact that they did not garner sufficient support does not, in any way, detract from their contribution, and that must be the attitude that guides us in recognising the roles of those who contributed in shaping our democracy.
We, in government, regard uMntwana kaPhindangene, one of the elder statesmen of our country, as one of the doyens of the struggle for freedom and for our parliamentary politics as well; we do. I thank you.
Query regarding return of exorbitantly priced vehicles in the face of the recession
12. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) asked the Deputy President:
Whether, in light of his statement (details furnished) that it does not make economic or ethical sense for the government to be spendthrift with its financial management in the face of the recession, members of the Cabinet who have spent exorbitant amounts of money on purchasing vehicles will be requested to return those vehicles; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?