Chairperson, I would like to quote from Goethe's Maxims and Reflections, in which he has the following to say about nature:
We are surrounded by her and locked in her clasp: powerless to leave her, and powerless to come closer to her. Without asking us or warning us she takes us up into the whirl of her dance, and hurries on with us until we are weary and fall from her arms.
It would have been hard for anyone to predict the magnitude of the natural disaster that struck a large part of South Africa. It is also more difficult to quantify the cost in terms of human suffering which has occurred as a result of this natural disaster.
Hundreds of our people have lost their lives. Thousands have been displaced and are facing a bleak future. Moreover, with winter fast approaching, many of these people will be left to face the elements without adequate protection.
The spreading of diseases is also a very real danger to which many people, and women and children in particular, may be exposed. It is not difficult, therefore, to understand the enormous challenge with which we are faced. Although we may not be able to predict such catastrophic events, we must at all times be ready to deal with them whenever they occur. In this way we may be able to minimise the damage which they cause.
We must therefore express our sincere gratitude to the national and affected provincial governments, local governments and NGOs, as well as the communities, for having responded immediately to their disaster management plans, without which thousands more lives may have been lost. I want to convey a special word of thanks to the SA National Defence Force for their tireless efforts to rescue as many people as possible and to all people who rendered their assistance to alleviate the plight of those communities which were hardest hit by this catastrophe.
In pursuance of this objective to create a situation of readiness, the NCOP decided to establish a cluster committee which will liaise with the national and provincial governments on issues of disaster management, as well as the effects thereof and the results they could produce. It is envisaged that this cluster committee will work closely with all relevant stakeholders. I could mention a few, like the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management at national level; the relevant Ministers that have to do with the developments that come about as the result of disasters; the National Assembly committees that are clustered alongside the cluster committees in the NCOP; the provincial premiers; the provincial legislatures, with direct reference to the committees concerned, as well as the relevant cabinet and disaster management committees at provincial levels; the respective provincial legislature committees; and organised local government at national and provincial level. They will all work together and aim to monitor and assess whether effective systems are in place to deal with these kinds of issues.
The NCOP being the forum where provinces can come together to discuss issues of common interest, it is hoped that this NCOP committee will kick- start the establishment of a well co-ordinated plan to deal with issues of this nature. They must come back to this Council and create this national forum to discuss issues affecting the provinces. It is only when we are proactive and prepared for challenges such as these that we will be able to soften the impact of disaster on those who are most vulnerable and at risk. [Applause.]
Chairperson, hon members, one writer says there was an earthquake in Japan, where one of the cities was buried underground. After that happening, the mayor called those who survived to recreate that city.
We have experienced a similar thing in the North West province. This province experienced heavy flooding of certain areas. These floods were caused by two main factors, namely heavy rainfalls and also the run-off of the rainwater in the catchment areas in Gauteng. The second of these has caused the greater amounts of damage so far. The majority of the flooding took place in the Brits area from the Hartbeespoort Dam along the Crocodile River to the boundary with the Northern Province. The actions in this area were controlled by the joint operations centre formed at the Brits fire department under the control of the disaster management officer of the Brits town council.
The following incidents took place: loss of life, injuries, loss of stock and loss of crops. Therefore there was no electricity supply to the Vaalkop and Beestekraal areas, there was no communication, and the sewerage system in the Vaalkop, Brits and Oukasie rural areas have been flooded and extensively damaged. But we should thank those authorities that have joined hands to come to the rescue of many people who suffered during this time. We thank the welfare organisations in Brits and surrounding areas, the traffic department, the Departments of Health, Public Works and Transport, the disaster management authorities and the National Parks Board for joining hands to rescue those who were hopelessly looking for help and assistance.
We as the NCOP have to applaud those people, who did a very good job, and the joining of hands, even amidst the joint problems which we may face, of national, provincial and local government, is of extreme importance. [Applause.]
Madam Chair, I will be speaking solely in Afrikaans.
``Ich bin ein Berliner'', het die voormalige Amerikaanse president John F Kennedy ges toe hy voor die Berlynse Muur staan. In die aangesig van mens- en natuurgemaakte rampe is ons almal soos een.
So s ek dan ook vandag ek is 'n Afrikaan, en alhoewel dit vir my as Vrystater byna onmoontlik is om te s ek is 'n Mpumalanger, weet ek dat my gevoel van samehorigheid met die provinsies wat deur die oorstromings geteister is deur al die agb lede gedeel word. So is die DP ook oor partygrense heen heelhartig verbind tot hulpverlening aan hierdie gebiede, en vol bewondering vir die optrede van die Weermag en ander onbekende helde wat hulle lewe in gevaar gestel het om mede-Suid-Afrikaners te help.
Ten spyte daarvan dat dit 'n nasionale spel geword het om te wys op die verdeeldheid van Suid-Afrikaners, hetsy in die media of op die sportveld of in skole, illustreer die werklikheid van die samewerking in die Weermag op die diep menslike verband wat bestaan sodra ons die regte knoppie druk om dit bloot te l. Terwyl ons nou, verenig deur die onmiddellike en dramatiese oomblik, alles wil doen om ons meegevoel te betuig, moet ons nie toelaat dat die rampslagoffers, soos di van die tornado vroer verlede jaar in Manenberg en van veldbrande in die Vrystaat en die Oos-Kaap, slagoffers word van ons kortstondige geheue nie.
Uit vandag se samehorigheid moet 'n plan gestalte gegee word wat daadwerklik in werking kan tree sodra 'n ramp ons tref, en wat nie op die slagoffers die verantwoordelikheid van die pleidooi plaas nie. Dit moet duidelik proaktiewe stappe as staatsverantwoordelikheid uitspel. Die ramp is maar die begin van die tragedie vir die slagoffers. Lank n dit van die televisieskerms verdwyn het, leef hulle met die nagevolge. Dit is ook 'n area waarop streeks- en internasionale samewerking deur ons leiers vooropgestel behoort te word.
Ten laaste, as daar enige twyfel was, het vandag se debat die rol van die Nasionale Raad van Provinsies duidelik gevestig. [Applous.](Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[``Ich bin ein Berliner'', said the former American president John F Kennedy when he stood before the Berlin Wall. In the face of man-made and natural disasters, we are all as one.
In the same way I am saying today that I am also an African, and although it is almost impossible for me as a Free Stater to say that I am an Mpumalangana, I know that my sense of solidarity with the provinces which have been ravaged by floods is shared by all the hon members. So, too, the DP is wholeheartedly committed, across party lines, to providing aid to these areas, and full of admiration for the actions of the Defence Force and other anonymous heroes who jeopardised their lives in order to rescue fellow South Africans. While it has become a national game to point out the division among South Africans, whether in the media, on the sportsfield or in schools, the reality of the co-operation in the Defence Force illustrates the deeply human bond existing the moment we push the right button in order to reveal it. While, united by this immediate and dramatic moment, we now want to do everything possible to express our sympathy, we should not allow the disaster victims, such as those of the tornado earlier last year in Manenberg and of the veld fires in the Free State and Eastern Cape, to become victims of our short memories.
Arising from the solidarity existing today, a plan should be worked out which could be implemented actively the moment we are hit by a disaster, and which does not place the responsibility for the appeal on the victims. It should clearly spell out proactive steps as the state's responsibility. The disaster is only the beginning of the tragedy for the victims. Long after it has disappeared from our television screens, they have to live with the after-effects. This is also an area where regional and international co-operation among our leaders should be placed first.
Finally, if there had been any doubt, today's debate clearly established the role of the National Council of Provinces. [Applause.]]
Chairperson, I am rising to make a statement on behalf of the Northern Province in relation to the heavy rains and floods that caused damage and left most areas dilapidated.
The most affected area in our province is the northern region. A number of houses have collapsed, leaving people injured, homeless and dead. More than 1 000 km of the provincial roads have become inaccessible, leaving the communities with no access to the outside world and no schooling in areas where bridges have been washed away. Irrigation schemes in large tracts of land have been swept away.
Patients from Blouberg Hospital have been evacuated and readmitted at Helena Franz Hospital. Letaba and Kgapane Hospitals experienced a shortage of water due to water pipes which were clogged with mud. Matikwane, Sekororo, Siloam and Tshilidzini Hospitals experienced electricity problems. However, I would like to tell the House that these problems have been solved. Thohoyandou is experiencing communications problems, because telephone and electrical wires were washed away.
We therefore call for prioritisation in respect of reconstructing and developing the sensitive areas of the affected infrastructure. For example, health and welfare matters should be attended to as a matter of urgency with the provision of shelter and clothing. We are thankful that this is being done in most affected areas in the provinces. We are also calling for the prevention of water-borne diseases such as typhoid, malaria, cholera and others to be embarked upon with immediate effect, and that communities be supplied with fresh water.
In conclusion, we would like to thank the Government for declaring our province and other areas disaster areas. We would also like to thank the stakeholders and individuals who assisted and are still assisting in disaster-stricken communities. We are calling for substantial funding in order to redress the backlog that has been caused by this disaster. [Applause.]
Chairperson, friends and colleagues, my province, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Province, including other provinces such as the North West and Gauteng, have experienced floods. This was as a result of the heavy rainfall from around the first week of February which lasted for the whole of February.
As the permanent delegates of Mpumalanga, we visited the province in order to familiarise ourselves with the extent of the damage. We thus noted that the greatest effect of the damage was on the road networks and the water supply infrastructure, which are the basic means for service provision.
Amongst others, the following are the socioeconomic problems experienced. Communities are cut off from their workplaces as access roads and bridges have been either damaged or washed away. Emergency services such as health care and rescue operations cannot be rendered. Injured and sick people cannot be taken to hospitals and clinics. Funerals and other societal activities cannot take place. Late loved ones cannot be taken to mortuaries or be buried. Ordinary economic activities cannot take place. Business activities have been disrupted. People cannot get basic goods or fresh supplies. Schooling has been disrupted as schools are not accessible to children and teachers.
Health risks such as cholera, malaria and other are imminent as a result of inadequate potable water. Pollution of the environment occurs as a result of broken sewerage pipes and networks, while crime escalates as a result of the socioeconomic problems.
We hope that the pictures that the House has just seen or will see will expose the House to the damages suffered by the people in our province. The content of the video will reveal the damage in the greater Nelspruit area. When going out of this Chamber into the foyer, members will be able to view the content of the video. I hope that this exposure will give all some insight into the plight that our people are faced with.
We thank the national Government, the provincial government and the respective local governments, the private sector, NGOs, the SA Defence Force, the SA Police Service and the communities for acting swiftly to save lives, engaging in rescue operations and providing necessary supplies in respect of food, clothing, shelter, love and courage during the dark hour. Our condolences go to all who lost loved ones. God bless them. [Applause.]
Chairperson, on behalf of the New NP I wish, in the first instance, to extend our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of so many people who have perished as a result of the devastating floods experienced especially in Mpumalanga and the Northern Province, and by our neighbours, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Our hearts also go out to those who have lost almost all, and in many cases all, their earthly possessions.
We also wish to thank and commend the SANDF, especially our heroes and heroines who have selflessly exposed themselves to mortal danger in their quest to rescue and to save human lives. We are truly proud of what we call our angels of mercy, and are grateful that we have the capacity to extend a hand and open our hearts to our less fortunate compatriots and neighbours who had to submit to the forces of nature. I wish to thank those who have arranged the video and photographic display outside this Chamber, which at least gives one a sense of the might of the floods and the damage caused by these floods. Die verlies aan infrastruktuur, landbougrond, gewasse, huise en persoonlike besittings is ongetwyfeld van so 'n aard dat dringende regerings- en ander hulp onontbeerlik is. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The loss of infrastructure, agricultural land, crops, houses and personal belongings is without doubt of such a nature that urgent Government aid, and other assistance, is vital.]
The devastating floods, fires and drought that have struck South Africa and other countries with new vehemence over the past year do not constitute an isolated spate of disasters. They are mounting evidence that global weather patterns are changing fundamentally.
According to studies conducted for the Department of Environmental Affairs by a team led by Prof Bruce Hewitson, Associate Professor of Climatology at UCT, it is expected that there will be an increase of about 10% in rainfall along South Africa's coastlines and a 10% decrease in summer rainfall in the interior during the early and late part of the season. Of more concern is the prediction that there will be longer spells between rain, but more extreme rainfalls. This means more run-off and less water storage in the soil.
These changes will have a huge impact on agriculture, infrastructure, water- dependent industries and public health, and could be catastrophic unless South Africa develops strategies now. Prof Hewitson also predicts a spread in crop diseases and the southward expansion of malaria as pests migrate to new areas.
The New NP therefore fully supports the establishment of the NCOP cluster committee described by Mr Mahlangu, and we will do whatever we can assist this committee to succeed in achieving its goals.
Ons het reeds destyds na aanleiding van die brandramp in die Wes-Kaap 'n beroep op die Minister vir Provinsiale en Plaaslike Regering gedoen om 'n nasionale reddingsentrum as 'n saak van dringendheid daar te stel.(Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[We have already made an appeal to the Minister for Provincial and Local Government, in the wake of the fire disaster in the Western Cape, to establish a national rescue centre as a matter of urgency.]
Let me end by saying that the floods are still affecting areas of our country. I have a report here that appeared in The Mercury of today in KwaZulu-Natal. The headline says: ``River sweeps two peoples to their deaths.'' A seven-year-old boy and a teenager were found dead yesterday after being swept away by a flood-swollen river near Port Shepstone on Tuesday. There is also a search for a third victim, whose name has not yet been released. It states that this seven-year-old boy was ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Chairperson, on behalf of the government of the Northern Cape, I wish to express our sincere condolences to those communities that were so tragically struck by the recent floods.
We understand the suffering they had to endure, because our province itself was not spared the effects of this natural disaster. Some of our communities were completely cut off from the outside world for many days owing to the flooding of many of our bridges and roads. This human catastrophe taught us a few valuable lessons. Natural disasters are not geographically confined. They affect people across provincial boundaries. It is important, therefore, that provinces and the national Government work together and plan strategies which could be speedily implemented.
Furthermore, it is essential that we develop the capacity to pick up and constantly monitor any impending disasters so that we can be able to take steps before we are struck by these disasters.
We are heartened by the response of many people who expressed concern and were willing to extend a helping hand to the victims of the floods. It has reaffirmed our belief in the inherent goodness of human nature. [Applause.]
Chairperson and honourable House, there is a Setswana idiom: ``Matho go sha mabapa.'' [Interjections.] This means that a neighbour may not ignore or be indifferent to a disaster on his neighbour's doorstep. He is obliged to assist his neighbour who has been struck by a disaster with all the means at his disposal. He could, for instance, accommodate the afflicted neighbour in his own house, provide him with food or clothing and take steps to make him as comfortable as possible.
In the light of that and of what has been raised by the convenor of the committee, Mr Mahlangu, the UCDP is in full support of and in solidarity with the relief measures of the Government and other compassionate neighbouring governments.
We support the relief efforts, the overwhelming goodwill and the opening of hearts and wallets to the affected people. [Applause.]
Chairperson, today's topic touches the feelings and emotions of our people who are today homeless, more especially those who stay in rural areas, whose traditional mud rondavel houses have collapsed, not to mention the loss of life they have suffered.
From December to March, the Eastern Cape has experienced numerous heavy storms. They have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, but more particularly to the roads and bridges. This has caused great hardship for the communities since it has resulted in disruptions to essential services and commerce, not to mention disruptions to schools and clinics.
The Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works has had no financial resources to do the necessary permanent repairs. In most cases, outstanding flood damage is estimated at R200 million.
Five Eastern Cape regions were affected at varying levels, but the media did not even capture this, particularly the electronic media, owing to the rural nature of our province, let alone the fact that our tornadoes and floods were not named, maybe because they took the African names and they were not recorded as Gloria or Susan, but as iNtomb ayiphiki. [Laughter.]
The main road linking Tsolo and Maclear has been washed away. This has not only created a long detour, but also has security implications. It is not possible for the department to even temporarily repair it with its current budgetary allocation, bearing in mind that there has been a huge backlog in this province. It is therefore essential that extra budgetary funding be acquired so that basic cases can be addressed. The disaster management team should also visit the Eastern Cape for surveying. It was only this morning that communities from Matatiele and Mount Fletcher were subjected to staying with their deceased relatives because the roads and the bridges had been washed away. Some had to cancel the burials which were scheduled for this weekend. [Applause.]
Mevrou die Voorsitter, terwyl 'n groot deel van die Wes- Kaap ook swaar getref is deur hierdie vloed, gaan ons harte tog ook uit na ons ander provinsies in Suid-Afrika waar die nood en lyding nog erger is. Derhalwe het die Wes-Kaap ook nie stilgesit nie, maar 'n taakspan saamgestel wat deskundige hulp gaan verleen het in Mpumalanga. As ons oor die finansile fondse beskik het, sou ons ook 'n bydrae gemaak het aan die Mpumalanga-provinsie, en ek hoop die agb lid mnr Bhabha neem kennis van hierdie gesindheid van die Wes-Kaap teenoor sy provinsie.
Die boere van die Karoo is dankbaar vir die ren wat hulle ontvang het, maar die onbekostigbare skade wat gelei is, bring verslaenheid mee en 'n gevoel van nederigheid teenoor die mag van Moeder Natuur. Boere in die Gamkavallei in die distrik Calitzdorp, waar die vloedskade op miljoene rande geskat word, sal om staatshulp moet aansoek doen na aanduidings dat hierdie landbougemeenskap op sy knie gedwing kan word. Boorde, groentelanderye en wingerde is saam met bogrond meegesleur toe die Gamkapoortdam Donderdagnag sy walle oorstroom het.
Die lot en lyding van plaaswerkers is onbeskryflik en hulle toekoms lyk op die oomblik baie duister. Hierdie skade is erger as di in 1981 toe Laingsburg verswelg is. Spoedige herstelwerk aan kanale is nodig, anders sal die vol Gamkapoortdam se water niks vir landbou kan beteken nie.
Krag- en telefoonverbindings is plek-plek herstel, maar daar is gebiede wat steeds sonder watertoevoer is. Die R62 tussen Ladismith en Calitzdorp, wat erg beskadig is, sal nog 'n geruime tyd vir verkeer gesluit wees, maar al die moontlike word gedoen om die pad te herstel voor die Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees oor drie weke.
Die toerismebedryf op die dorp word ook swaar getref deur die sluiting van hierdie pad. Besprekings by gastehuise word gekanselleer en petrolverkope by vulstasies het dramaties gedaal. Die Wes-Kaap het reeds begin met noodherstelwerk. Twee van ons ministers, di van landbou en van vervoer, het reeds besoek afgel by die geaffekteerde gebiede. Dieselfde taakspan wat nou in Mpumalanga is, stel ook reeds ondersoek in na die skade en die omvang van die ramp en sal eersdaags ook hieroor verslag doen.
Dit is die Wes-Kaap se strewe om ons swaargetrefde gemeenskappe so spoedig moontlik na normaliteit terug te bring, en ons medelye gaan uit na almal wat deur hierdie rampspoedige gebeurtenis getref is. Ons is dankbaar teenoor almal wat hulp verleen het en nog sal verleen. [Applous.](Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Mr C ACKERMANN: Madam Chairperson, while a large part of the Western Cape has also been heavily hit by this flood, our hearts also go out to our other provinces in South Africa where the distress and suffering are even worse. Consequently, the Western Cape has not been inactive, but has constituted a task team which has gone to render expert assistance in Mpumalanga. If we had the financial means, we would also have made a contribution to the province of Mpumalanga, and I hope the hon member Mr Bhabha takes note of this attitude of the Western Cape towards his province.
The farmers of the Karoo are grateful for the rain which they received, but the unaffordable damage suffered has brought about a despondency and a feeling of humility with regard to the power of Mother Nature.
Farmers in the Gamka Valley in the Calitzdorp district, where the flood damage is estimated at millions of rands, will have to apply for state assistance following indications that this agricultural community could be forced to its knees. Orchards, vegetable lands and vineyards were washed away together with topsoil when the Gamkapoort Dam overflowed on Thursday night.
The fate and suffering of farmworkers is indescribable and at the moment their future looks very bleak. This damage is worse than that in 1981 when Laingsburg was engulfed. Swift repair work to canals is necessary, otherwise the water in the full Gamkapoort Dam will mean nothing to agriculture.
Electricity and telephone connections have been replaced in places, but there are areas which are still without a water supply. The R62 between Ladismith and Calitzdorp, which was seriously damaged, will still be closed to traffic for a significant time, but everything possible is being done to repair the road before the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in three weeks' time.
The tourism industry in the town has been hard hit by the closing of this road. Bookings at guest houses are being cancelled and petrol sales at garages have dropped dramatically.
The Western Cape has already begun emergency repair work. Two of our Ministers, those of agriculture and of transport, have already visited the affected areas. The same task team that is currently in Mpumalanga is already investigating the damage and the extent of the disaster and will also report on the matter shortly.
It is the aim of the Western Cape to return our worst-hit communities to normality as quickly as possible, and our sympathy goes out to everyone who has been affected by this disastrous event. We are grateful to everyone who has helped and all those who will still do so.]
Chairperson, the first thing that we as the ACDP want to say is that, following upon the recent natural disasters, our hearts of course go out to the affected people. Nobody will ever know the misery that people experience when this kind of thing occurs.
It is wonderful, in a certain way, how people are brought together by a tragedy. The depth of compassion people display, the generosity of spirit which exists and the good neighbourliness which suddenly comes to the fore are also wonderful. It is perhaps a lesson for us, and maybe we should have more of that in other enterprises. We should not only wait for disasters before we unlock those reserves which exist in all our people to do things together and to undertake great enterprises together to build this wonderful part of the world.
The President was right when he said we have a unique opportunity. We will never have a better opportunity than we have now. What we need, more than anything, is a change of heart. It is out of this disaster that one sees the compassion, co-operation and generosity that represent the sort of spirit we need to engage if we are going to build anything in this part of the world.
We are proud of our countrymen. We are proud of the brave personnel of the security forces, the charities, the private individuals, the companies and the churches that continue to do so much selflessly to alleviate the plight and suffering of our country, often at great personal risk. We cannot take that risk away. All we can say is that we are sincerely grateful for the dedication to duty which they demonstrate on our behalf.
We are proud, too, of the intercession and the help of our Government on behalf of its neighbours. We know that we have a strong voice in international fora. Our neighbours are very often weak, small, landlocked microstates. The fact that our Government has interceded with the world community on their behalf to bring their plight to the attention of the world community is something that we should be proud of. We are acting out our responsibility in a way that all of us can be thankful for and proud of.
We are also pleased, of course, about the growing involvement of the United Nations, and of the world community, as a consequence of that intercession by our Government. I do not know whether we would have seen anything like the effort we are seeing had it not been for the South African Government interceding in the way that it did. Some people were very slow in coming forward, but we are grateful for those that have come to assist. We are also grateful for the NGOs that have come forward with help.
We will pray that they continue to remain involved, because the flooding is not yet over. The worst challenge is yet to come. Those of us who know anything about it will know that the combating of disease, pestilence and hunger still needs to occur and that the challenge of reconstruction still lies ahead. The reserves of the people who have to cope with those problems are diminishing every day as they get weaker and hungrier and poorer and less able to cope as they go forward, and as the spectre of disease and pestilence that will surely follow becomes clearer.
We in the Cape have had our share of disaster on a much smaller scale, but our hearts go out to them too, and we are grateful for the actions of our Government in the Western Cape. Just the crop damage in the Northern Cape along the Orange River, in export grapes alone, is estimated at R350 million, according to a farmer I met this morning. That will, of course, ultimately be shared by the community as a whole since it will have to deal with that loss. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Madam Chairperson, the Free State echoes the solidarity expressed here today. We endorse the vote of thanks extended to all and sundry who are involved in the rescue operations and other attendant essentialities in these areas.
We are, however, concerned about the budgetary implications which will be occasioned by this tragedy. It is in this vein that we appeal to all legislators in provincial, national and local government, as well as the private sector, to apply some flexibility and generosity with regard to budgets.
Further, we believe that the ecological damage caused will, for some time, impact on tourism, foodstuffs, etc. We implore especially food producers to find innovative ways of preventing an escalation in food prices.
Lastly, it was reported this morning that floods during the night have damaged some bridges between the Free State and Lesotho. Because of our close proximity, much will be expected from us, especially on matters pertaining to help. Although affected, we are pledging our continued willingness and preparedness to assist wherever and whenever possible.
Order! I would like, on my own behalf, to join hon members in expressing sympathy to those communities that have been devastated by the floods, and to those families that have lost loved ones, as well as to express appreciation, as hon members have indicated, for the role of our security forces, the army, and the air force. They have indeed been heroic in the role that they have played, both in our own country as well as in our neighbouring states. We express our thanks to them for the self-sacrifice that they were prepared to endure. [Applause.]
We have come to the end of the discussion on this matter. We look forward to the more substantive report that the hon Mr Mahlangu's committee will bring to this forum. I believe that the NCOP, in the debate that it has heard today, along with the factual indicators that we have received, has begun to play the role that we anticipated it would play, and we look forward to seeing a further extension in this regard.
Debate concluded.
Hon members, as you are aware, we do have further business on the Order Paper, that is, the debate on a matter of public importance. We were aware that the hon the Minister of Welfare would be involved in various other duties. The debate will proceed, but not at this time.
In terms of Rule 25, I will interrupt our proceedings and the bells will be rung when we are ready to continue with the next Order. The proceedings are therefore interrupted. The House will adjourn until the bells are rung.
Business suspended at 15:08 and resumed at 15:30.