Chair, freedom is slavery. The George Orwell mantra from his book 1984 is coming true. It seems as if the ANC views all forms of freedom as open spaces that must be occupied in a bid to eradicate this form of slavery. All freedoms must be replaced by absolute equality in all places of society. Transformation has become a tool whereby all diversity and peoples in South Africa are pummelled into submission to serve as mere actors in a socially engineered ANC society where everyone is not free, but at least equal.
This Protection of State Information Bill, also aptly known as the Secrecy Bill, has a fitting place within this grand scheme of social engineering. In the novel, 1984, Big Brother's principal weapon of choice is the ability to control information, all forms of expression and all forms of identity. In our 1984, we have in front of us today a Bill that mirrors this by opening a door to the control of information in society that fundamentally undermines the Constitution and the rights to freedom of expression and information. With the coming to power of the ANC, 1994 has become our very own 1984.
Die feit dat die wetsontwerp soveel keer gepaneelklop moes word vanwe die opposisie se kommer, is juis getuienis dat die ANC nie die onskuldigste van bedoelings hiermee gehad het nie. Hierdie wetsontwerp het die opposisie, die burgerlike samelewing en selfs stoere ANC-ondersteuners soos Adv George Bizos laat saamsnoer teen die ANC. Dit is alleenlik hierdie nuwe opposisie wat die ANC laat afsien het van verskeie drakoniese klousules. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The very fact that the Bill had to be panel beaten so many times because of the opposition's concerns is evidence that the ANC did not have the most innocent intentions regarding this. This Bill had the opposition, civil society and even staunch ANC supporters like Adv George Bizos joining hands together against the ANC. It is only this new opposition that forced the ANC to abandon several draconian clauses.]
While many changes to this Bill have been effected due to the hard work of fellow opposition Members of Parliament, MPs, we are still resolutely opposed to the passing of this Bill. The future does not have to be like the past or the present. It can be better. One thing is certain, though, we have to continue to fight for our freedom against this onslaught by the ANC in the future. Thank you, Chair.