Hon Chairperson, hon President, it is such an honour and privilege to be standing here today as a new member of the fourth democratic Parliament of South Africa and to deliver my maiden speech.
Hon Chairperson, let me start by reminding us, as we are sitting here today, that fellow South Africans have gone out in numbers to cast their votes on 22 April, based on their wishes and dreams for a better life. More than half of the electorate are women. These women have demonstrated a distinctive approach to decision-making in advocating for change and for more equitable justice for all.
Although we are celebrating Freedom Day on 27 April annually, South African women are still facing challenges of poverty, unemployment and exclusion from education. Women are still excluded from accessing land and credit. They face high rates of sexual abuse, domestic violence and HIV/Aids.
South Africa is still considered to have one of the highest rates of male violence committed against women. Hon Chairperson, these women start to ask themselves: What is freedom; are we really benefiting from what we have fought for?
I strongly believe that true individual freedom cannot exist economic security and independence. Mr President, during your inauguration you made a commitment to our people and to the land, and I quote:
For as long as there are women who are subjected to discrimination, exploitation or abuse, for as long as there are children who do not have means nor the opportunity to receive a decent education, we shall not rest and cannot falter in our drive to eradicate poverty.
Motsamaisi wa Dipuisano, baahi bana naha ya rona ba batla hore ba fuwe mosebetsi ba tsebe ho itshebeletsa. Mosotho a re, mphemphe e a lapisa, motho o kgonwa ke sa hae. Baahi ba rona ha ba batle ho fuwa di-food parcels, baahi ba rona ha ba batle ho fuwa di-grants, baahi ba rona ha ba batle ho ba mekopakopa. (Translation of Sesotho paragraph follows.)
[Chairperson, our citizens want to be given employment so that they can work for themselves. A Mosotho person says, being a beggar causes hunger, a person must be self-sufficient. Our citizens do not want food parcels, our citizens do not want grants, our citizens do not want to be beggars.]
You cannot force people to be self-reliant. People have to become self- reliant. People must have confidence in their own knowledge and skills, in their ability to identify their own problems and find solutions in order to better their lives and make independent decisions.
The DA believes that an open opportunity society gives the citizens the ability to follow their talents and dreams, and to support their families. However, while a small elite in South Africa is well protected in their comfortable jobs, millions of South African people are still facing a lifetime futilely searching for productive employment.
Social grants remain the most effective form of poverty alleviation. As of 31 March 2009 more than 30 million people receive social grants, more than 8 million of whom are children, as stated by the President during his state of the nation address.
Motsamaisi wa Dipuisano, re ke ke ra iphapanyetsa ho hloleha ha mmuso ona ho tlatsa dikgeo tsa mosebetsi Lefapheng la Thekolohelo ka batho ba se nang boikwetliso kapa ba sa rupellwang. Mmuso o duletse ho tlatsa dikgeo tsa mosebetsi ka bomphato ba bona ba dipolitiki, mme sena se sitisa phumantsho ya ditshebeletso bathong ba borona.
Ditheo tsa mmuso tse kang NDA, National Development Agency, le Sasa, South African Sugar Association, di lokela hore di be le batho ba rupelletsweng hore setjhaba sa rona sa Afrika Borwa se tsebe ho una molemo. Re dula re utlwa ka di tlaleho tsa bobodu le manyofonyofo, bahlanka ba mmuso ba phahameng ba nkga lefotha ho ajweng ha dithendara.
Diphuputso tse ikemetseng tse hlokang leeme, tse akaretsang mekga yohle ya dipolitiki di lokela ho thakgolwa hanghang. Re ke ke ra dula re phutha matsoho ha barui ba iketsa barui ka tjhelete ya setjhaba, ha mafutsana a kolla ntsi hanong. (Translation of Sesotho paragraphs follows.)
[Chairperson, we cannot ignore the failure of this government to fill the vacancies in the Department of Social Welfare with people who are qualified and trained. This government is busy filling employment vacancies with their comrades, and this is hampering service delivery to our people.
Government organisations like the NDA, National Development Agency, and Sasa, the South African Sugar Association, are supposed to have trained people so that our South African society can benefit. We always hear of fraud and corruption; high-ranking government officials are implicated in awarding tenders.
Independent investigations which include all the political parties should be conducted immediately. We cannot always fold our arms when rich people enrich themselves with social funds while poor people suffer].
While an impressive social grant system exists in South Africa, it excludes many millions of South Africans who are of working age, but who have no prospect of ever finding gainful employment. The state old age pension is a lifeline for many elderly people, but the recipients must pass the means test, which excludes many needy people who have tried to provide for their old age. The DA urges the President to provide a universal old age pension for all South Africans. Thank you. [Applause.] [Time expired.]