Madam Deputy Speaker, I am indeed honoured to be able to take part in this debate this afternoon since I have worked in this institution for so many years. The Office of the Speaker and the institution of Parliament are very close to my heart.
It is essential that our Speaker be seen and recognised as the chief presiding officer. He must be different in appearance to any other presiding officer. I therefore want to appeal to our Speaker to seriously consider reintroducing the wearing of the robe.
His predecessors chose to wear ordinary clothes. There was no formal resolution in 1994 that the robe would be discontinued permanently. I know; I was there. The Speaker's robe was also never considered a remnant of the old South Africa. It is indeed part and parcel of the Commonwealth parliamentary tradition spanning centuries. The Table staff still wear robes, and our provincial Speakers wear robes, as do most Speakers in African parliaments to our north.
Mr Speaker, you need not take this matter to any policy-making body of Parliament. The Speaker's dress has always been the Speaker's prerogative alone. You can enter this Chamber tomorrow wearing a basic academic or barrister's robe, or a more elaborate one. It is your choice, but wearing a robe will certainly contribute to the dignity of this institution and set you apart from the other presiding officers. You are entitled to this symbol of authority.
Preserving the decorum and dignity in this place is one of the Speaker's prime functions, as the Speaker rightly said in his speech. And it is often difficult to judge whether or not conduct infringes the decorum of the House. As Members of this Parliament, we are collectively responsible for ensuring that our conduct never crosses that line of unacceptable behaviour.
I am a keen soccer follower and share the frenzy around the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, but I want to submit that blowing a vuvuzela in the Chamber, as happened recently, is conduct not in conformance with the dignity of Parliament. Parliament is a very special institution, the highest institution in the land. It is not a sports event; it is not a concert. It is a Parliament and nothing less.
Allowing one vuvuzela now could lead to a vuvuzela orchestra in Parliament once we reach the World Cup final. And what applies to the vuvuzela should equally apply to any other musical or noise-making instruments.
Speaker, in conclusion, you will have all the support from this side of the House in any effort to preserve and raise the dignity of this institution. Thank you. [Applause.]