Chairperson, hon colleagues, unlike the previous two speakers I can't stand here and boast that I'm a double MP. They've been elected to represent this Parliament at the PAP and we wish them well in whatever they do.
At the outset and on behalf of the IFP, let me also take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on her election as chair of the AU Commission. It's significant that it falls in Women's Month. I'm sure she will do an excellent job on behalf of the people of our country.
Established in 2001, the PAP sought to promote the participation and representation of the people of Africa within a parliamentary framework committed to strengthening democratic values and principles on the continent. We all know that South Africa, legitimately so, endorsed and assisted with the establishment of the PAP. So much so that the PAP's offices are now in Gauteng - but I'm saddened to hear that they tried to build them on a sinkhole and that they might therefore sink!
The PAP now wishes to take the next step by becoming vested with legislative authority. However, there are questions that have to be asked. One of those is whether the African continent is ready and mature enough to accept a continental legislative body. My submission is predicated on the fact that not all African states have underlying democratic and constitutional dispensations. Many countries in Africa remain strife-torn and are unstable.
How would decisions taken by the PAP be enforced in such states, or in any state that is unwilling to relinquish some of its sovereignty to a continental parliament? Are there democratic governance policies in all of the countries represented in the PAP? I've been informed by the hon Kalyan, a PAP member, that the AU monitors this quite closely, so that only countries that follow democratic principles can participate as members of the PAP.
If one had looked at the European parliament, which was established in 1962, one would have found that even there the adage of "Rome was not built in a day" applied. They came together as different countries, but only after many, many years did they begin to look at legislative powers. Even when legislation is passed, there are very strict checks and balances and controls. I think it is also the case with the PAP that they need to crawl and then walk before they can run.
I think it is an ambitious goal. It is something we can look forward to in the long term - maybe when we will no longer be around, sitting here as Members of Parliament or of the PAP. However, I think it's an ideal to aspire towards - to get Africa united. Then we can enjoy economic and cultural benefits. Then the African Cultural Renaissance that we all talk about will have meaning. It would then be a meaningful thing when we talked about it.
We would say yes to legislative powers, but not now. The time will come, but we don't know when that time will be.