Chairperson, before I start with my speech, I must say that I am still inexperienced as far as the PAP is concerned. I would like to thank all the Members of Parliament for giving me the opportunity to be part of the PAP. I must say that it was a good feeling when you all voted for me to be part of the PAP, and I will not disappoint you. [Applause.] I might disappoint you a little bit now, because as I am reading my speech I still know boggherall [nothing]. I know ...
... kancinane nje, kodwa ndiza kuzama ningatyhafi. [... just a little bit, but don't be disappointed, I am going to try.]
When the PAP was established, its functions were largely of a consultative and advisory nature in dealing with issues on the continent. I hope members here will always remember that the foot soldiers were the following women: Our then Speaker, uMama Frene Ginwala, uMama Makhosazana Njobe, uMama Nkosazana Zuma and uMama Baleka Mbete. In this, Women's Month, I would like to congratulate them for having been among the foot soldiers who paved the way towards the PAP. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
A large part of the functions of the PAP would entail working towards the integration, harmonisation or co-ordination of the laws of the member states. However, we need to answer a couple of questions in terms of how effective the PAP has been in representing the voices of African people on various policy issues and conflicts. With this in mind, the PAP, with its minimal powers in only consultative and advisory functions, will not be able to address the various political governance and conflict situations on the continent.
The PAP needs to be more visible in terms of the role it is playing on the continent. It cannot be restricted to observer status and fact-finding missions in conflict areas, with no legislative authority to enforce decisions. In this regard, the PAP must be better represented in structures of the AU and be able to make recommendations that can be adopted formally by the AU and its affiliate structures.
Currently, member states and national parliaments send representatives to the continental parliament. However, as we all know, some of these national parliaments are at various levels of development. Some states are dictatorial and others have different models of democracy, etc. Hence, the election of PAP representatives needs to be revisited. We need MPs and members who possess knowledge of regional integration issues to serve on the PAP.
There are some critical questions that need to be pondered. The first one is: Is the PAP as an institution ready to assume legislative functions? The second one is: Does it have the appropriate systems and resources for its development? [Interjections.]