Hon Chairperson, the Presidency is the highest office around which the weal and woe of the country revolve. The aim of having such an office is summed up well in that it has to provide leadership in the development and management of the government strategic agenda. To this end, we in the UCDP are at ease that the office fulfils its mandate. [Applause.]
However, we would like to raise the following issues that need to be addressed by the Presidency. Firstly, we are aware that at the time when the annual reports had to be presented to the House, the Presidency failed to do so and thus made it very difficult for members to know if it had reached its strategic objectives or to know about the gaps that might be existing in fulfilling these objectives. It's a concern we believe has to be addressed.
We congratulate the Presidency for establishing the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities. We shall await the mainstreaming and co-ordination plans that the hon Minister has promised to unfold in the other spheres of government, including provinces and local government municipalities.
Mopresidente yo o tlotlegang, ga twe ntime o mphele ngwana. [Hon President, there is a saying that one should rather consider helping my child than me.]
And the UCDP takes note that our youth is our future and that the plethora of youth institutions overseen by the Presidency had always been confusing in addressing youth problems across all spectrums.
We nonetheless welcome the fact that in the state of the nation address the President promised his intention to launch the National Youth Development Agency formed by the merger of Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the National Youth Commission, which happened on 16 June this year. And we applaud him because he leads by example; his promises are met.
The magnificent projects and programmes mounted by government are less well known because the GCIS is found to be wanting and the UCDP recommends that there be an improvement in the communication of this Ministry.
Finally, the UCDP joins the Presidency in applauding Bafana Bafana for work well done and also hopes that South Africa wallops Brazil tomorrow and does wonders also in the coming 2010 Fifa World Cup. The UCDP supports Vote No 1 - The Presidency. I thank you. [Applause.]