Chairperson and Minister, a lot has been said about the 52nd ANC conference in Polokwane and the policy directives of the new government and administration. When debating Budget Vote 32, it is necessary to evaluate the impact that Polokwane is having on the economic deliverables of South Africa.
Minister, I support the view of political scientist, Adam Habib, who said that Polokwane had two results. Firstly, it was a rebellion against the previous President, Thabo Mbeki, and, secondly, it was a revolution against capitalism and the Gear policy. The result of Polokwane further manifests in the fact that the unionists, socialists and communists have indeed taken over the heart and soul of the ANC. [Interjections.]
This reality is indeed prevalent in the post-Polokwane administration policies, directives and the appointment of Ministers and officials. This might be a short-term gain for the ANC, but is certainly not in the best interest for a long-term, sustainable growth and economic recovery after the worldwide economic recession. Hon Minister, nowhere in the world has a leftist, centralist approach been more successful than a free-market- related economy with a social conscience.
It seems that the post-Polokwane administration is more concerned about the poor than the real economic drivers and forces of the South African economy. To make almost 30% of the South African population dependent on state support seems to be beneficial to the ANC, especially during election times; then a food parcel can buy a vote. [Interjections.] If you listen to the senior leaders of the ANC when they say that the ANC will govern until God comes home, you will understand the rationale behind their original thinking. Their argument is to make the people poor and, through centralisation and government schemes, you can govern them and control their everyday living and wellbeing.
I am not a prophet, but it is a fallacy to think or to argue that the ANC will remain intact or in control forever. [Interjections.] I predict that the ANC will not survive another 10 years in government. [Interjections.]
Voorsitter, hoekom s ek so? Die eerste rede is dat le en vals beloftes die ANC gaan inhaal. Terwyl die privaatsektor 170 000 poste verloor het, kondig die regering aan dat hy 500 000 poste deur die Uitgebreide Openbare Werke-program gaan skep. Die tweede punt is dat die ANC as 'n organisasie, en as 'n onnatuurlike alliansie, nie ongeskonde gaan bly en in sy huidige vorm gaan voortbestaan nie.
Ons is bewus van die voortdurende struwelings tussen die kommuniste, die vakbonde en die gematigde ANC. Derdens, Voorsitter, en dalk die mees belangrike, is dat die arm mense van Suid-Afrika in opstand gaan kom teen die ekonomiese verdrukking. [Tussenwerpsels.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Chairperson, why am I saying this? The first reason is that empty and false promises will come back to haunt the ANC. Whilst the private sector lost 170 000 jobs, the government is proclaiming that it will create 500 000 jobs through the Expanded Public Works Programme. Secondly, the ANC as an organisation, and as an unnatural alliance, will not go unharmed and continue to exist in its current state.
We are aware of the continuous ructions among the communists, the unions and the moderate ANC. Thirdly, Chairperson, and perhaps most importantly, is the fact that the poor people of South Africa are going to revolt against the economic oppression]. [Interjections.]
Thank you, Chair. [Applause.] [Time expired.]