Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Chief Justice Langa, premiers present here today, my colleagues Premier Zille and Premier Kiviet, permanent delegates and nonpermanent delegates of the NCOP, ladies and gentlemen, fellow comrades, I stand here in this important House of the NCOP, on behalf of the people of Gauteng, to congratulate you, Chairperson, on being elected to this particular position.
With regard to this House, we, the people of Gauteng, regard it as an important institution in our democracy. We are quite confident that with your election, the work we have done in the past 15 years will be taken to even greater heights. The challenges facing us continue to be the creation of decent work, providing quality health care and education, and fighting crime and corruption, as well as ensuring rural development.
The ANC government will ensure that in the next five years these challenges are addressed working together with our people, in partnership with the private sector and in the promotion of foreign investment in South Africa. I therefore wish you well in your responsibilities and will ensure that the NCOP functions as expected.
Lastly, on behalf of the people of Gauteng, I also want to thank the millions and millions of people of South Africa who have again affirmed the responsibilities of the ANC through voting in greater numbers and ensuring that indeed we defend our gains but include all the weaknesses we experienced over the past 15 years. I thank you. [Applause.]