Minister, we cannot lecture you on those challenges at the municipalities, for you know them better than most of us. But the situation in the North West needs a speedy solution, rather than engagement in the media, as seems to be happening now. It should not be enough for the department to be aware of problems of maladministration, lack of accountability and corruption, as already indicated in many municipalities across the country, with the North West and the Eastern Cape being cases in point. Ways and means should be devised to salvage these municipalities, without this being seen as encroachment or interference.
Like hawks hovering in the sky, monitoring their potential prey, our committee will do the same with all departments in executing its oversight work. We will provide support and make necessary criticisms as and when such are needed. Such criticism should be taken in the same spirit as when we are singing praises for any job well done.
There should be close collaboration, not only with parliamentary committees, but also with key sectors of the department. Together we can make sure that there is no space for laziness, corruption and all these bad things hindering service delivery. A situation such as the one that we experienced this morning, Minister, where instead of being given answers we were told to go and investigate, I should think is not the way to go, Deputy Minister. The directive from the President to do things differently, smarter and better is not only meant for ANC members and their supportive public servants, but it is also directed at all those who, by oath or affirmation, took up positions to serve the people of this country, and that includes the opposition.
Minister, true to your slogan, "many voices, one message", we should create no space for any uncalled-for discord from members of this broad church. As you conduct this choir in a competition for improved service delivery, improvement for a better life and the eradication of poverty, let us be cautious not to pitch our voices too high when singing about challenges and problems that are man-made, for we know amongst us there are those who do nothing but look for such musical discord. Our music should be so harmonious and sweet that our audience, and even our detractors and opposition, can do nothing but sing and dance along with us, for that is the purpose of music: to heal, to soothe, to bless and to uplift the spirit. That should be the kind of service we provide to our communities this time around.
The ANC, as a liberation movement, liberated not only the oppressed but even the oppressor. I was encouraged last week during the youth debate to hear hon Tim Harris from the DA acknowledging the fact that the youth of his generation benefited from the work of the class of 1976. I was actually shocked when he said that. I even said "Wow, he is in the wrong party", but on second thought, I realised that we need to recruit him to the ANC. It is young people like hon Harris who can teach old men like hon Watson how things are done. [Laughter.]
The ANC is elected by the people and its policies are derived from and driven by the people. It is about time that the DA realises that they cannot stop the leaders of the ANC. [Applause.]