Hon Chairperson, at the outset I wish to convey the condolences of the IFP to the families, friends and communities of the young boys who have lost their lives during this winter season of traditional initiations. May their souls rest in peace. The IFP supports the initiatives of the department aimed at finding, together with all relevant stakeholders, a lasting and lifesaving solution to this matter.

Under the revitalising impetus of a new Minister, this department now has the opportunity to resolve long-standing contradictions in government's approach to traditional leadership. The Minister is no doubt aware of the long string of broken promises that has preceded the current unhappy state of co-operation between local government and an established social structure that was delivering good democratic governance long before 1994.

The first of these broken promises was made to the Coalition of Traditional Leaders 14 years ago by a Cabinet committee chaired by the hon Mr J G Zuma, then Deputy President of the Republic. An undertaking was made, both verbally and in writing, that Chapters 7 and 12 of the Constitution would be amended to prevent the obliteration of the powers and functions of traditional leaders and traditional institutions of governance. To date, that has not been done. Instead, through a series of piecemeal legislation, the authority, role, powers and functions of traditional leaders have been undermined and removed, to the point that they are now treated as ceremonial figureheads.

Despite agreeable speeches by government leaders, which place traditional leadership at the centre of rural development and good governance, legislation by this same government bars many traditional leaders from attending municipal council meetings, and those who may attend are barred from voting. The voice of traditional leadership and institutions has been silenced, for there is no legislative requirement to heed it and no real will to do so within government.

For 20 years there has been no move by government to capture in legislation the full role, powers and functions of traditional leadership. If this fundamental building block is ignored, efforts to secure development, justice and good governance will continue to deliver diluted success. Why do we limp towards the future we have promised our people when we are perfectly equipped to run? Therefore, the IFP welcomes the hon Minister's commitment to addressing this matter, and assures him of its fullest support in this regard.

Hon Chairperson, local government has been the bane of South Africa's service delivery and a breeding ground for corruption. This must change, as we fully rely on municipalities to be the wheels of service delivery. Every effort must be made to ensure that public money is spent to the benefit of the people, especially the poor, who find life to be a daily struggle.

Strong nations are built on the ability to fulfil promises, and therefore responsiveness to the needs of the public must take centre stage. The reality is that when communities begin to feel that they are not getting proper services from government, that promises are not being kept and that their needs, hopes and aspirations are not being met, public - and often violent - protests rightly or wrongly become the order of the day, as we have experienced. If things don't change for the better, we shall continue to experience such.

Whilst many are obsessed with the tired and empty refrain of a "good story to tell", the reality is that 20 years into our freedom and democracy many South Africans continue to struggle daily, and most certainly do not have a "good story to tell". They need jobs, houses and electricity, not poor service delivery. They are simply fed up with the refrain of empty promises, promises that have not been kept.

The refrain I have referred to above belongs to the people whose personal circumstances are "good", while at the same time it is totally contrary to the realities on the ground of millions of South Africans struggling daily to make ends meet. The refrain underscores the mentality of "an island of success in a sea of poverty and corruption".

Let us now begin writing a new story for local government and service delivery. The IFP will support this Budget Vote because, if government, especially local government, fails, people suffer. We must end the suffering of our people. We owe this to the struggle for freedom and democracy and to the liberation dream, where all South Africans can live side by side with their dignity restored through the provision of basic services and a local government that is effective and functional. We dare not fail. Thank you very much. [Applause.]