Thank you, Chairperson and hon members. Chairperson, I hope you noticed that the secretary defied you when you asked her to read the Bill. She didn't read the Bill, but she just read its name. So, there is something wrong on the papers.
The imposition of an export levy on rough diamonds is contained in current legislation. In fact, the Diamond Act of 1986 contained this provision. However, given our new constitutional dispensation, amendments to that Act of 1986 during 2005, resulted in the need for amendment supervisions relating to the export levy on rough diamonds, hence a need a for a separate Money Bill.
Early in the House, Chair, you recognised the presence of the leader of the Indian Congress Party, the hon Sonia Ghandi. She shared with us this morning that India is a country that employs a few millions of people in the cutting and polishing of diamonds, though they haven't countries that have any diamond resources of their own. She was said that the Indian government is very committed to ensuring that countries like South Africa, that have considerable diamond resources, will also be able to create employment in the cutting and polishing.
I think, it is very important that we understand the context of the legislation before us. Part of what we want to do is to ensure that there is sufficient rough that remains in this country as a source of employment and also for value addition. It is essentially that the levy must facilitate and make people who want export rough, should pay. At the same time, the primary legislation will ensure that those who want to cut and polish in South Africa would be benefited. That is essentially what the Money Bill sets out to be.
There are a number of relief measures or exemptions covered in the legislation: Firstly, relief for large producers; secondly for medium sized producers, the relief there would be if 15% of the producer's total annual growth sale is to local diamond beneficiates; and thirdly, some exemptions for small producers who don't exceed R20 million a year.
The purpose of the export levy is of primary regulatory in nature. The import credit and exemption may be limited in order to raise revenue if deemed necessary. At this time we see no need for this limitation because the new regulator and all related admin expenses are being fully funded on the budget. The historical context of the local diamond industry and the nature of how the local diamond market players operate, indicate that there is a higher set of local beneficiation requirements on large producers.
Lastly, the diamond Export Levy will not be deductible for income tax purposes. It is clear that the export levy can be avoided in full if producers meet the necessary requirements to supply local cutters and polishers. Hence, the levy effectively acts as a penalty where producers fail to meet these local supplier requirements. It is, therefore, reasonable to argue that given its penalty nature, this levy should not be considered as being deductible expenses for income tax purposes.
I raised that here because somehow one of the journalists got it wrong and reported that this would be deductible; but clearly it would be contrary to the letter and spirit of the Diamond Export Levy Bill itself. Chairperson, I, hereby, request that this House supports the Diamond Export Levy Bill, 2007. Again, I want to express my appreciation to the usual suspects, starting with the distinguished Chairperson of the portfolio committee, its members and those involved in the Treasury - in the preparation of this legislation. I thank you.
Chairperson, the usual suspect is back. The Minister wanted to know if I was back and he called me. Madam Deputy Speaker and hon members, the Bill before the House is an unequivocal demonstration by the ANC-led government that the aspirations of the drafters of the Freedom Charter were not a pipedream, but a realisable vision that requires a resolute developmental state that consciously intervenes in the best interest of the people.
The mineral wealth of this country is at the centre of this intervention - in an economy that is confronted by a number of challenges that seek to undermine the enormous gains we have made since the advent of our democracy. As it has already been indicated, the main object of this Bill is to give effect to the Diamond Act of 1986, that was amended in 1998 and later in 2005.
The 2005 version creates space for this Parliament to make provision for the imposition for an export levy on unpolished diamonds and also allows for offsets with respect to that levy. The 1998 version sought to promote local beneficiation of rough diamonds by imposing a 15% levy on the ones exported from the country. This 15% was not able to realise its intended objective as there are provisions or exemptions that allowed exporting parties to justify such exports by demonstrating the promotion of local beneficiation through other means.
This resulted in an unintended consequence that when the 15% levy was really applied, if ever. The ANC-led government's policy is determined by the needs of the people, particularly those that are vulnerable. In this instance, the beneficiation is not only an instrument of and for economic development, but also has the potential of creating jobs locally, through the development of a diamond beneficiation industry.
As I have already indicated that this Bill gives effect to the Diamond Act of 2005, among other things, establishing the state diamonds trader with the intention of ensuring that rough diamonds are retained in the country and to promote local beneficiation. The state diamond trader, in terms of this Bill, is intended to purchase 10% of rough diamonds before considering exporting. The state diamond trader will, in turn, sell these diamonds to local cutters for polishing and further beneficiation. This process will create a steady long-term supply for local cutters.
This Bill proposes an export levy of 5%, as it has been indicated, to be levied on all rough diamonds exported and is triggered by section 69 of the Diamond Act, which states that an unpolished diamond intended for export, will be subject to this levy. The 5% levy applies to the market value of exported diamonds as determined by this section.
As a safeguard against undervaluation, this levy will be imposed on the greater of the two following values: The greater of the value specified by an exporter on a return, as required by section 69 of the Diamond Act; or a value assessed by the diamond and precious metals regulator, who in this case is the government diamond valuator.
After lengthy deliberations on the appropriateness of the reduction of the levy from 15% to 5%, the committee was satisfied that this rate is high enough to contribute towards local beneficiation, whilst low enough not to unduly encourage smuggling. The other point to be borne in mind is that this levy is not necessarily intended to generate tax revenue, but to encourage local beneficiation. This piece of legislation fits perfectly into the government's strategy informed by the People's Charter of sharing in the country's wealth, in particular, mineral wealth. The introduction of the levy does not prevent the Minister of Minerals and Energy from granting exemptions, but to the extent that sufficient measures exist to ensure that local cutters receive a sufficient and sustainable supply of unpolished diamonds. In line with our democratic responsibility of promoting public participation, the committee held public hearings on this Bill together with the Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Energy. We were convinced that the stakeholders' views were adequately canvassed and where possible, accommodated.
To mention but a few: a number of industry players requested that the definition or threshold for small mines be increased from an annual turnover of R10 million to R35 million, in line with the threshold, as per the BEE - Black Economic Empowerment codes used by the Department of Trade and Industry. It was further felt that the requirement of parcels consisting of 10 stones was always practical.
These concerns were addressed and the threshold was relaxed, and the requirement of parcels was dropped. The other concern was that the large producer monetary threshold of R5 billion was too high and was subsequently reduced to R3 billion. These were just some of those concerns that were raised and addressed and those that relate to the Diamond Act were accordingly referred to the appropriate Ministry and committee for further discussions.
The Bill is a conscious and deliberate intervention by the developmental state, with a distinct objective of promoting economic development in a manner that addresses the dual economy divide without compromising productivity. It is the committee's view that the passing of the Bill is fully supportive of the objectives of the Diamond Act and that, once passed, the constraints prevailing as result of the void, will be laid to rest. The ANC supports the Bill. I thank you.
Chairperson, the primary objective of the Diamond Export Levy Bill is to provide for the imposition of an export levy on rough diamonds and to allow for offsets, or credits, against the levy. The Bill aims to replace the 15% with a reduced 5% levy on diamonds exclusively purchased and exported through the Diamond Exchange and Export Centre. It further aims to disallow local diamond houses and traders as sites for export sales.
Some proposed relief measures include credits on imported unpolished diamonds; temporarily export on expo and display purposes; a 5% window in respect of the threshold requirements. Levels of exemption to local large, medium and small producers will still be applicable, subject to different turnover and threshold requirements for local sales and the DEEC tendering process, where the Minister may waive some of these requirements for large producers.
The secondary objective is to promote local beneficiation of the polishing and cutting of rough diamonds. This will be based on: Producers will be obliged to sell a portion of their production to the state diamond trader, who in turn will resell this to local cutters and polishers. Diamonds for export from the state diamond trader will not be exempt from the 5% levy. Exemption will be applicable to the extent that local cutters and polishers receive a sufficient and sustainable supply of unpolished diamonds.
The objective of the Diamond Export Levy Administration Bill is to provide for the administration matters relating to the imposition of the requirements of the Diamond Export Levy Bill.
The most critical implications of this Bill, among others, is the fact that all legal persons must be registered with SARS if they want to acquire an export permit and the fact that the term ``producer'' will be extended beyond the holder of the mining rights to other companies within the same group.
Voorsitter, daar is egter sekere bekommernisse ook gedentifiseer: Om kompeterend op die uitvoermarkte te wees, het produsente die vrystelling van hierdie heffings nodig. Dis 'n kompeterende wreld daar buite. Hulle is verplig om hul diamante by die DEEC aan te bied hoewel daar geen beheer is oor wie hierdie kopers is nie. Krediete teen die heffings kan verdien word slegs as hulle diamante aan plaaslike bevoordeeldes verkoop word, terwyl slegs die onverkoopte gedeelte dan uitgevoer kan word.
Ongelukkig is daar tans geen bewyse beskikbaar om die lewensvatbare en volhoubare kapasiteit te bevestig en om te sien dat die bedryf wel sal groei en ontwikkel nie.
Die toename in die regulasies vanuit hierdie wetsontwerp mag die nadeel inhou dat dit verdere vastekapitaalinvestering in die diamantmyn- en die slyp- en poleerbedrywe kan ontmoedig.
Groot mynhuise kan selfs oorweeg om hulle basisse na ander lande met meer stimulerende vereistes, te verskuif. Sulke optrede sal ons diamante se kompeterende voordeel op die wreldmarkte verswak, met moontlike werksverliese, wat natuurlik strydig is met die bedoeling van plaaslike bevoordeling van slypers en poleerders.
Hierdie wetsontwerp gee ook aan die Minister van Finansies die magte om invoerkrediete aan te pas as 'n inkomstemeganisme.
N 'n deeglike evaluering van die inhoud van hierdie wetsontwerp, wat noodwendig saamgelees moet word met ander diamantverwante wetgewings, is dit geensins duidelik dat dit in werklikheid tot voordeel van beide die diamantmyn- asook die diamantslyp- en -poleerbedryf sal strek nie.
Die DA sal daarom nie hierdie wetgewing in sy huidige formaat steun nie. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Certain points of concern, however, were also identified. In order to be competitive on the export markets, producers need exemption from these levies. It is a competitive world out there. They are obliged to offer their diamonds at the DEEC, although there is no control over who these buyers are. Credits against the levies can only be earned if they sell their diamonds to local beneficiaries, and only the unsold portion can then be exported.
Unfortunately there is no evidence available at present to confirm the viable and sustainable capacity and to provide assurance that the industry will indeed grow and develop.
The increase of regulations resulting from this Bill might have the disadvantage of discouraging further fixed capital investment in the diamond mine and cutting and polishing industries.
Large mining houses might even consider moving their bases to other countries with more stimulating demands. Such action will weaken the competitive advantages of our diamonds on the world markets, with possible job losses, which, of course, is contrary to the objective of benefiting local cutters and polishers.
This Bill also confers on the Minister of Finance the powers to adjust import credits as an income mechanism.
After thorough evaluation of the contents of this Bill, that needs to be read together with other diamond related legislation, it is not at all clear that it will, in fact, be to the advantage of the diamond mining and diamond cutting and polishing industries. For this reason the DA will not be supporting the legislation in its present format.
Thank you.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, the IFP wants to reiterate its support for the Diamond Levy Bills before us.
As the hon Chairperson has said, the proposed Diamond Levy Bills of 2007 reduces the export levy on rough diamonds to 5%. It replaces the current 15% export levy as provided for in the Diamond Act of 1996.
The aim of the levy under the current Bills is not intended to generate revenue but rather to encourage the supply of rough diamonds to the local polishing and cutting industries.
The beneficiation of rough diamonds is seen as important to encourage local economic development, skills and employment creation. The IFP sincerely trusts that this will indeed happen.
Furthermore, the Bills are in line with the spirit of the previous amendments made to the Diamond Act in 2005 and the Diamond Second Amendment Act 30 of 2005.
For these reasons the IFP has no grounds to object to the passing of these Bills.
With tongue in cheek, and also maybe playing devils advocate, I heard that the De Beers and others didn't object about the taxation aspects. I also think that it was better that they don't do so, because apparently they've taken out almost a truckload of diamonds out of this country and I don't know whether the appropriated levies had been paid at that stage. I'm talking about prior 1994 and in terms of this it would be perhaps prudent for them to stay a bit out of the limelight in terms of this particular Act and also support the Bills. I thank you, Madam Speaker. [Applause.]
Deputy Speaker, the matter of mineral resources in the country has been a contentious issue since the arrival of the European immigrants in the 16th century in Azania. Diamond, gold, copper and many other mineral resources were mined at will without any form of regulation by the aggressors whose belief was to take anything at our disposal that may make us perpetual slaves and keep us in permanent poverty as it is the case today.
The PAC of Azania welcomes efforts such as those entailed in this Bill to regulate the export of unpolished diamond from our country. The 5% levy on the export of unpolished diamonds will assist in the development of our underdeveloped country where the majority of the Africans are living in squalid conditions.
The PAC of Azania firmly believes that this Bill that is tabled, if controlled, monitored and evaluated accordingly, may produce the required outcomes of job creation through our local beneficiation.
The involvement of diamond exchange institutions and the diamond export centre will be a deterrent factor to any form of cheating. The medium and small diamond producers will benefit from the exemptions of the export levy and may go a long way in making sustainable African diamond producers. The mining industries need an economic revolution that will speedily turn it into a conveyor belt of world distribution in our country. The PAC supports the Bill.
Some religious beliefs identify diamonds as the tears of God - that's how important they are. Diamond sales are lucrative globally, and South Africa over the years has supplied the world with many of these exquisite stones.
We are pleased that this Bill serves to develop a local beneficiation industry and shall allow new entrants, dealers, cutters and polishers to participate in the diamond industry. We hope that the identification of a need for more polishers and cutters would stimulate growth employment and interest in this arena.
The export levy shall harness control over the export of rough diamonds and encourage local beneficiation. The MF believes that the State Diamond Trader shall further manage and control the industry. We believe that the Bill has encouraged a fair discharge of the tax burden between role players.
The MF voices its support to end the trade of blood diamonds globally. We call on the House to secure the diamond industry from this inhumane and illegal trade. The MF supports the Diamond Export Levy Bill. I thank you.
Mhlalingaphambili, ndiyabulela, ndibhotisa kananjalo. [Thank you Chairperson and greetings to you all.]
This is the first time that I will be deliberating or standing here in the absence of my colleague, my friend and a comrade, Comrade Yusuf Bhamjee, who has been redeployed to Kwazulu-Natal. I hope that he will move from stride to stride there in Kwazulu-Natal.
Somlomo ohloniphekileyo, baPhathiswa abahloniphekileyo, malungu ahloniphekileyo nani maqabane. Le ntetho ndiyinikela kubafundi abangamalungu eCosas beminyaka yama-'70. Aba bafundi bathatha uMqulu weNkululeko bawenza umkhomba-ndlela wabo. Yaba luxanduva lwabo ukuba baseke amasebe olutsha kwiilali, iidolophana, iidolophu, iinqila neengingqi zoMzantsi Afrika jikelele. Loo nkqubo yenza kwaba lula ukusekwa kombutho owaba ngugalel' ebhayini, iSayco, eyongamela yonke imibutho yolutsha apha emhlab' uhlangene.
Lo mbutho wasekwa ngomnyaka ka-1987 apha eKapa, kwaye wathi wazimanya nombutho wabahlali i-United Democratic Front. Isikhokelo sayo yonke le mibutho neenkqubo zayo zazisekelwe kuMqulu weNkululeko. Ndifuna ukugxininisa kumhlathi othi: "Abantu baya kwabelana ngobuncwane beli lizwe."
Elinye lamagunya aqulathwe kuMgaqo-siseko weli lizwe lithi amalungu athe anyulwa ngabantu, kulilungelo lawo ukuba aphumeze imithetho eya kwenza inguqu kweli lizwe loMzantsi Afrika. Kwinkongolo ye-ANC eStellenbosch ngomnyaka ka-2002, lo mbutho wathi waphawula ukuba izimbiwa zeli lizwe zisaweliswa iilwandle ukuba ziye kugqityezelwa khona, nto leyo ebangela ukuba abantu beli bangaxhamli kwizimbiwa zeli.
Lo Mthetho uYilwayo uthiwe thaca apha uzama ukulungisa oko. Inkqubo yale Ndlu ibekekileyo isinika igunya lokuba siwuphumeze lo Mthetho uYilwayo. Lo Mthetho uYilwayo uthe wahliwa amahlongwane yikomiti, saze savumelana ngamxhelomnye ngawo. Ngoko sibongoza le Ndlu ibekekileyo ukuba iwamkele.
Lo Mthetho uYilwayo uguzula amasolotya oMthetho ka-1986, uMthetho onguNombolo 56, kwaye unika igunya lokuba iidayimani ezikrwada ezifumaneka emhlabeni nakwizimbiwa zeli zilungiswe, zigqityezelwe kweli ukuze noosomashishini abasakhasayo bakwazi ukuxhamla.
Urhulumente oxhuzula imikhala we-ANC, ugweba indlala kwaye lo Mthetho uYilwayo uza kuvula amathuba emisebenzi nakwimizi-mveliso esakhasayo ukuze nayo iphuhle, de ifikelele kwinqanaba loosomashishini ekukudala bexhamla.
Ngokuphumeza kwethu lo Mthetho uYilwayo, liya kuba liphelile ithuba koongxowa-nkulu ababehlawula ama-50 ekhulwini njengerhafu. Kwaye babe neendlela abebesithi ngazo bakwazi ukuphepha ukuhlawula ezi rhafu. Ngoku wonke ubani othi ashishine ngeli litye linomthika uya kuhlawula irhafu esisihlanu ekhulwini. Liphelile ithuba lokuba athi ubani xa ethe walizuza eli litye kufuneke ukuba asimbele isinqe aye koo-De Beers, bona bamvuze ngendlela abathanda ngayo. Loo nto ibibangela ukuba abantu bakuthi balithubelezise eli litye baye kulithengise kumazwe angaphandle.
Ngoko ke, ngokumisela kwethu lo mthetho, sithi wonke umntu weli lizwe uvumelekile ukuba axhamle kolu shishino. Kambe, senza isilumkiso kubantu abaza kuthi gqolo bethengisa eli litye linomthika kumazwe angaphandle ngelithi baya kudibana neembila zithutha.
Ndimvile umhlekazi obe suka apha esithi oo-De Beers noobani bavumile, kodwa manditsho ukuba bekungemnandanga, kuba kaloku bebexhamla. Sixambulile phambi kokuba bavume oo-De Beers, ukuze kube nokuxhamla wonke ummi weli. Kodwa ke, ngokukhokelwa ngusihlalo wethu, siye savumelana ngamxhelo-mnye ngalo Mthetho uYilwayo uthiwe thaca apha.
Njengommi nomhlali wephondo loMntla Koloni, ndiziva ndinemincili xa kusenzeka ezi nguqu. Wagwetywa ndlala!, kuba kuza kuvuleleka amathuba emisebenzi ze kuphuhle nezakhono. UMphathiswa ebesetshilo ukuba i-Indiya ithi ikulungele ukuba ithumele amagosa ayo ukuba aze kusifundisa indlela yokupolisha nokusika, ukugqibelelisa iidayimani zethu.
Kubantu baseKimberley, Barkly West, Richtersveld, Longlands, nabezinyee iidolophu kwamanye amaphondo, ndithi: Indlala igwetyiwe! Nali ithuba, masilisebenzise. Umbutho wesizwe, iNkongolo, uyawamkela lo Mthetho uYilwayo kwaye ubongoza le Ndlu ibekekileyo ukuba nayo yenjenjalo, iwamkele. Camagu! Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Madam Speaker, Ministers, hon members and comrades. I dedicate my speech to the learners who were members of Cosas of the 1970s. These learners took the Freedom Charter forward and used it as their guideline. They took it upon themselves to form new youth organisations in villages, in towns and cities, in regions and districts all over South Africa. Because of these initiatives it was very easy to form the umbrella organisation which was called Sayco, which in turn brought all youth organisations under its banner in this country.
This organisation was formed in Cape Town in 1987 and it joined forces with the community organisation called United Democratic Front. The foundation for all of these organisations was based on the Freedom Charter. I want to emphasise this phrase: "The people shall share in the country's wealth."
One of the key responsibilities contained in the Constitution for the members who have been elected by the people is to see that they pass laws which will bring change here in South Africa. In the ANC conference in Stellenbosch in 2002, the ANC acknowledged that minerals of this country are still exported in order for beneficiation abroad and this leaves the people here suffering because they do not benefit anything.
This Bill aims at correcting that. This House gives us the right to pass this Bill. The committee looked at this Bill thoroughly and we finally agreed on it. We therefore ask this august House to accept this Bill. This Bill is an amendment to Act No 56 of 1986 and this it gives the right not to export our raw material so that the small business of this country could benefit.
The ANC-led government is opening doors for growth even to small companies and this Bill will create business opportunities for small business and they will also grow their businesses like the other businesses.
When this Bill is working the chances of bigger companies paying 50% will be over. They also have the chance of not paying the tax. Now everybody who is dealing with diamond will pay the same amount of tax which is 5%. De Beers is no longer going to enjoy the privilege of taking part in diamond dealing and pay what ever amount to compensate. Because of the heavy burden of tax people were taking these materials secretly and sending them to other countries.
Through this Bill everybody is getting a chance to enjoy this trade. We are warning people against selling these materials to other countries because they will be in end trouble.
I heard the hon member who spoke here earlier on saying that De Beers and others agreed to the conditions but I must mention that they were not happy because they had previously always enjoyed the privileges. We did struggle before De Beers and others agreed to ensure that everybody in this country enjoys the fruits. Through the leadership of our chairperson we eventually agreed on the Bill currently being debated.
As the resident of the Northern Province myself, I feel very happy to see all these changes. There will be no hunger because there will be more job opportunities and economic growth. The Minister did tell us that India is willing to send expects to come and show us how to polish and cut our diamonds.
To the people of Kimberley, Barkley West, Richterveld, Longlands, and other towns in other provinces I would like to say: There shall be no more hunger! Here is our chance, let us use it. The ANC supports the Bill and asks this House to do so as well. Well done! Thank you. [Applause.]]
Chairperson, this was clearly a very entertaining debate this afternoon. I liked the way in which the hon Asiya stretched from youth in 1987 to diamonds. I liked it.
I think it's necessary to record the fact that the history of this country has been shaped by the quantum of these stones that have been found. There is an interesting bit of that history that suggests that the original De Beers farm where the diamonds were discovered in 1867 was in fact in the Republic of the Orange Free State, and the border was moved.
All of these are part of our history and, I think, understanding this issue, understanding the transfer of wealth, understanding the construction of a South African global monopoly, in fact, in the management of diamonds, it is important in understanding the context of this legislation.
It surely can't be correct that all of the wealth can be removed, and nothing remains - no jobs, no wealth, and so, in the letter and spirit of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, we establish natural patrimony over our mineral rights and so we must use it to the benefit of all South Africans. That's the objective of this legislation. [Interjections.] The hon Bekker says that De Beers removed a truckload of diamonds!
There are two points to make. I read something, a few weeks ago, in a Sunday newspaper. The journalist writes, because he doesn't ask questions, that a new train line will be constructed to carry diamonds. Now, you need to find a heck of a lot of these things to construct a train line to carry diamonds!
The second point to make is: We don't know what the truckload is worth, because it could be highly valued gems, or they could be industrial diamonds, and so, part of managing this is understanding the detail and ensuring that the diamond trader has the requisite skills and capabilities in place.
Essentially, I think, that the legislative arrangement here must lay the basis for an ease of administration to ensure that those who extract the diamonds from the earth either commit to a legitimate business, or they steal. That, I think, is what we must try and do. I have looked at mineral legislations from around the world and I am pretty sure that in some of these areas, we actually are quite tame.
It is a very necessary step forward and as I said earlier, I am very encouraged by the way in which we are being egged on by the hon Sonia Gandhi and others from around the world to actually take this up more seriously.
Against this background, I am concerned that the hon Marais says that the DA will not support this legislation. It's fine if people don't want to comply. They can leave our diamonds and go away. It's as simple as that. We are saying that it's not a revenue measure. The hon Bekker was clear about this. It's not a revenue measure. It's using our natural resources to improve the quality of life of more people than just those who happen to have the licence. If that doesn't accord with the principles that the DA supports, well, that's tough.
I am glad that the majority of parties in this House supports it. I think that it's a very progressive step, and one that we must support and ensure that, from time to time, the administrators will come back to Parliament and report on the progress in respect of this legislation. It's one of those things that we want to measure.
In respect of the hon Likotsi, I have a bit of a problem, sir. You spoke about the mineral wealth of Azania. I have looked again at the Bill. It's the Republic of South Africa Diamond Export Levy Bill. So, it only covers South Africa. It doesn't cover Azania. Thanks for the support anyway. Thanks so much. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Are there any objections to the Diamond Export Levy Bill being read a second time? [Interjections.] Do you want us to note your objections?
Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Will you please record the objection of the DA?
I wish you had stood up there longer so that you could make other members who do not have blazers of their own institution jealous! [Interjections.]
Diamond Export Levy Bill read a second time (Democratic Alliance dissenting).