Chair, the mandate of the department is framed in the Constitution as protecting the environment for today and for tomorrow. Sadly, this modest mandate cannot be fulfilled because the department, like all government departments, has chosen the path of putting profits before people.
Basically the department's logic has to do with saving capital. This government, the ANC government, has inserted our nation into the global system of capitalism in ways that will ensure the end of our planet as we know it. If we do not act radically, and fast enough, in this century alone 200 million Africans will perish as a result of the impact of climate change. The current levels of greenhouse gas emissions will have only one outcome if we do not act - an ecological holocaust.
The simple truth is that the West, including the UN system, does not have answers to the ecological disaster facing us, because it is married to the capitalist logic which wants more and more from nature and from people. [Interjections.]
In his state of the nation address President Zuma spoke at length about the new energy generation sources, all of which will contribute to global warming. The President further surrendered the prospects of a green economy to the whims of private capital.
We must remember that the ANC pocketed R50 million from its relationship with Hitachi, after creating an energy crisis that could have been resolved. [Interjections.] By the way, we can solve these immediate energy problems by doing a simple thing - stopping giving BHP Billiton energy for free. Why are we supporting a multinational company with our energy? [Applause.]
The EFF is very clear, therefore, that it cannot support this budget which is silent on our people who live in industrial areas with high toxicity. We say very clearly: No to nuclear energy! We must remember what happened in Japan to its economy and people. We say: No to shale gas fracking! We say: No to coal-based energy sources! [Interjections.]
We need a paradigm shift. We say: Yes to adaptation leading to 1 million climate jobs! We say: Yes to the demand that all polluters must pay their ecological and social debt. We say: Yes to the end of genetically modified organisms! We also say: No more emissions must be paid for! We further say: Yes to this government's stopping paying BHP Billiton with our money.
We are also saying that the South African government must support the class action of our people, ex-mineworkers who are suing those mining houses who have destroyed them, who are now sick and without any assistance! Let us support that. [Applause.]
Hon Mthembu, your rhinos are not going to be safe until our people are safe. [Applause.] We have to make sure that we move away from ...