Thank you very much indeed, Madam Speaker. It is always good at these end-of-year functions to reflect on the year that has passed, both the good and the bad. There is always the good. We have passed legislation, we have done our oversight work reasonably well, we have tried to hold the executive to account and, generally, we have done the work that is expected of us - not always well, but we certainly have done it.
But, of course, there is the bad too. Parliament itself is anything but well run. As MPs, we are dictated to by the bureaucrats who clearly run Parliament and, quite frankly, the bureaucrats themselves are not doing a good job. It certainly is a challenge for 2008 for us as MPs to assume control of our own institution again, and let the bureaucrats know that Parliament exists because we as MPs, elected by the people, are here and not because they are here. They are here to serve us, and not vice versa. And I sincerely hope that we will take up this challenge in the new year.
I want to say that from the DA's point of view, we as a party have had a particularly good year. Apart from our good performance in this House and in the NCOP, we have undergone a remarkably smooth transition from the brilliance of the Leon years, as our leader, to the huge opportunities that the Zille years present us with in the future.
Now this change of leadership could not have been smoother: a leader retiring on his own terms amid a huge wave of popular sentiment in favour of all that he has achieved and a new leader elected in a clean, hard- fought election campaign and immediately endorsed by the whole party in an equally huge wave of acclamation and support. [Applause.] There can be no better way of doing things and South Africa, generally, has acknowledged this. Now, of course, this year ends with the ANC facing their own congress at which their leadership challenge will come to a head. It is quite clear that it is unlikely to be anywhere near as clean and peaceful as the DA's was.
I have to add, watching the shambles in the House this afternoon, that I do trust that their congress will be better run than the ANC have run their party in this House this afternoon. [Interjections.] It has been a shambles.
Now we acknowledge, of course, that the ANC congress will be a much bigger event than ours was, because while we may have been electing a person who may well become the President of South Africa in the future, the ANC will most probably be electing a leader who will become the President of the country in 2009.
So, it would be appropriate on this occasion, since it is the last time that we will be with our ANC colleagues before their Polokwane congress, to wish them all the best for their congress. I believe it is also appropriate to remind them that they are not just electing a new leader for their party.
They are, probably electing the next President of South Africa - a person who will be the President of us all, not just of the ANC. So, to ANC members I say: Please, for the sake of all South Africans, choose wisely, choose carefully and choose someone who will truly represent all South Africans. You owe that to all of us.
Now, with farewell speeches of this nature it is always appropriate in them to say a number of thank yous. I was remarkably well informed yesterday that Sound & Vision feel very left out because nobody ever thanks them for anything. They tell me they get blamed for everything, but never thanked, and they asked me to make this House aware in particular that they had nothing to do with the Children's Bill. [Laughter.]
So, let me begin by thanking Sound & Vision for their work this year. They have a tough time, often having to work with obsolete equipment, but Sound & Vision's services are certainly appreciated. [Interjections.] Yes, John Jeffery, I heard that and I'll get you back.
To all the staff in Parliament, especially those who make a real effort, thanks for all you do, whether it be cleaning or catering, whether you are a service officer, or you work in the Finance Section and pay our salaries - thank you to you all for your efforts during this year.
To the Table staff in the National Assembly, Mr Mansura and his gang, thanks for a job well done. You are always most obliging in all you undertake, and we are grateful to you. [Applause.] "Gang": that's exactly what I said. I'm very glad that you are listening. It's marvellous.
To my friends and colleagues in the Whippery, I have to say that apart from the Moseneke Commission, I believe we won some important battles during the course of the year on behalf of MPs. We have worked well together generally, and it has been good. My own colleagues inform me that the Moseneke Commission was the most important battle and, having failed on that, we failed miserably. I would like to think that some of us know a little bit better.
To the House Chairs, it has been a pleasure working with you - good, efficient people who take their jobs very seriously and, I believe, genuinely are there to serve MPs. To the presiding officers, the Deputy Speaker and the Speaker, you have kept us in check. You have given us a hard time, but I believe we have not all been paragons of virtue and have made you earn your money in trying to keep order in this House. [Applause.] Some of your rulings have been difficult to agree with but, generally, you have been very fair and we appreciate this very much, indeed.
Finally, to all the MPs particularly those in my own party but to all of you: Parliament exists because of us. We have, as a party, enjoyed interacting with you, admittedly some more than others, but on behalf of the DA, I wish you all and all members of the staff of Parliament as well - everyone related and associated with Parliament - a truly enjoyable rest and a happy and successful festive season. Thank you very much, indeed. [Applause.]
Madam Speaker, I want to associate myself and my party with all the thanks expressed here by Mr Ellis and in particular with his comments on the election of the new President for South Africa. It should be somebody that will represent us all.
Thank you, cowboy!
You are welcome, cow-girl! [Laughter.] We have come to the end of yet another year and for me personally this is a very historic moment, because I have come to the end of 30 years in Parliament. Next Friday I will be celebrating my 30th year in Parliament. I have served here under Mr Vorster, Mr P W Botha, Mr F W de Klerk, President Mandela and President Mbeki. I have lived through all the dramatic changes that we had, the bloody violence that we had, the negotiations and the birth of the New South Africa up until where we are today. We have moved from a white parliament to this Parliament. I have, therefore, seen the whole transformation movie. What do I say now after these 30 years and the 14 years in this Parliament? [Interjections.]
"Goodbye"! [Laughter.]
No, Mike! Mr Ellis says that I should say goodbye, but I also wanted to announce today that I was going to retire and also when I would retire. I am going to retire on the day that I die. [Laughter.] What am I saying?
I am reminded of the prophets of doom 14 years ago, in particular Mr Hennie Smit of the then NP, who said that this Parliament wouldn't work. It didn't have the experience and it was going to collapse. You were there and you remember that. Yes, we were all inexperienced, or most of us were. The President was inexperienced, the Ministers, the Speaker, the whips, all of them, but we have adapted quickly.
Today I am convinced that we have a parliament that operates according to international parliamentary standards. Today, we have highly experienced presiding officers, Whips, Chairs, Members of Parliament and staff. We can also say that we have progressed very far in respect of reconciliation. Yes, we have done well here. We co-operate well, despite many differences that we still have.
We have in fact, as we sit here, become a real parliamentary family. We have developed our own set of values here. We have the Constitution that binds us together. We co-operate with one another. We have co-operation and camaraderie. We have built friendships over these 14 years. So yes, today I say, after all these years, South Africa has a Parliament of which I am particularly very proud. I am proud to be a member of this Parliament.
I wish to thank everybody and I wish to say to all of you, and in particular to Gerhard Koornhof - we are so sorry your dad passed away, Gerhard - a Merry Christmas, a prosperous New Year and may you all, no matter which party you belong to, enjoy the festive season. Look after yourself and make sure that you come back next year and let all of you try again, but I don't think you will succeed, to get the Children's Bill through. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
Madam Speaker, hon members, once more we find ourselves at the end of the year, looking back upon the time we have spent together as political opponents in one sense, but also in another sense as partners in the project of democracy.
Significant legislative work has been balanced by intense policy debates, as well as some committees demonstrating an admirable tenacity in their oversight of the executive. On the downside, we cannot recall the past year and bid each other farewell, without remembering that we have also bid final farewells to a number of our late hon members, who passed on. May their souls rest in peace.
The year was also blighted by floor crossing at national, provincial and local levels. We can at least draw consolation from the growing consensus, even among the Ruling Party members, that this is an unseemly spectacle. Perhaps we will also in the near future be bidding a final farewell to this law that mocks the expressed choices of the electorate.
As always, we need to acknowledge the parliamentary and party administrative staff, who have contributed to all the successes that we have attained in 2007.
The ruling party will no doubt be quick to point out that the opposition's opinion of their internal affairs is not welcome or relevant, but I hope that you will at least allow me to wish you the best of luck with the upcoming conference in December. It certainly seems like you will need it.
At the end of the year we are faced again with the dilemma of many South Africans, ourselves included, travelling far and wide across this beautiful country of ours. Most will do so by road. There is, understandably, a certain rush and urgency to get to family or destinations where time can be spent with family and friends. Yet, we appeal to each and every road user to remember that getting there alive is far more important than getting there quickly.
We wish everybody a peaceful holiday and a happy New Year, filled with joy and achievement. To our many Christian brothers and sisters, we wish them a Merry Christmas and express our hope that they will draw renewed faith from celebrating this important religious day so that they may return in the coming year with renewed commitment to help build a better future for all South Africans. I thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to wish all hon members of this House a refreshing time of rest after yet another long year of hard work. May you and your families have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
As most people in this country are waiting with great anticipation for the decisions that will be made at the ANC conference in Limpopo next month, with the knowledge that the decisions made there will affect us all, I want to give the ANC some advice and also pray for their conference. [Interjections.] My advice to the voting delegates is that they choose as their leader, a person of integrity who believes in and will pursue righteousness and justice far all.
May I remind hon members of the words of a great king who in his time was the wisest person alive, King Solomon, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people".
I now want to pray for hon members and the ANC conference:
Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for Your help and for Your grace throughout this year. As we will be going to our respective homes, I pray for travel mercies for every member of this House.
I pray even for the ANC conference that is coming. My prayer, Father, in the name of Jesus, is that the decisions that will be made there will fit into Your plan and purpose for this nation.
I thank You for Your guidance and for ensuring that everything is done according to your plan and your purpose. May Your kingdom come and may Your will be done. In Jesus' name, be blessed. Amen. [Applause.]
Madam Speaker, the Chinese have a very well-known saying or proverb to say as a wish, "May you live in interesting times". If one looks at what we've done in the past year, then, surely, this year we did live in very interesting times and we are not at the end of these interesting times. A number of colleagues have referred to the big conference of the ruling party at the end of the year and obviously the whole of South Africa will be watching what is going to happen there.
Let me start off by saying a word of sincere thank you to each and every colleague of ours in this House. It has been a very exhausting year, but I think in the end, despite all the political rumblings and all the differences, we remain colleagues of one another. I think it is very important that we send out a very constructive and positive message to the public in South Africa that we can co-operate in the interest of our country and we should continue to do so.
I also would like to say a word of sincere thanks to the parliamentary staff, each and every member of the staff, the catering staff, the messengers, everyone in protection services, each and every member of Parliament and the staff that made it easier for us this year to do our jobs. Thank you very much.
Ook 'n woord van hartlike dank aan die media, want sonder die media wat rapporteer wat in die Parlement gebeur - die televisie, radio en koerante wat skryf - sal die publiek nie noodwendig weet wat ons hier in die Parlement doen nie. Ook 'n woord van dank aan elkeen van hulle.
Dit is my wens om namens die VF Plus vir elke lid en vir elke kollega van elke party 'n voorspoedige 2008 toe te wens, maar ook 'n baie gesende Kersfees. Mag dit 'n Christusfees wees, mag u die vrede van Christus in u hart ervaar en mag ons 'n toekoms ingaan wat in die belang van al ons mense is. Baie dankie. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Also a word of thanks to the media, because without the media reporting what happens in Parliament - television, radio and news papers - the public will not necessarily know what we are doing here in Parliament. A word of thanks to each and everyone of them.
On behalf of the FF Plus I would like to wish every member and each colleague from every party a prosperous 2008, as well as a blessed Christmas. May it be a festival in Christ, may you experience the peace of Christ in your hearts and may we enter a future that is in the interests of all our people. Thank you very much. [Applause.]]
Madam Speaker:
Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again and again after moments or lifetimes is certain for those who are friends"
This is a quote from Richard Bach.
As we sit here in the House, looking forward to the break, it is important for us to take a minute to reflect whether we did indeed add value to the theme of this year.
Sijulile yini ngengxoxo? [Have we deepened the debate?]
Public deliberation in this House and in our infant democratic state is crucial. In order for that public deliberation to take place we as opposition parties need to be able to be part and parcel of that process. That begins with us as the opposition not being gagged and by allowing us to actively participate and contribute to a meaningful discussion. We can only do that by being given the forum to talk and the contribution would be the deepening of democracy. This means reviewing the practice of the one minutes and the two minutes.
I would like to wish all the hon members, the parliamentary staff and the entire parliamentary family a peaceful, relaxed and enjoyable holiday.
Izwe lonke libe nempilo enhle, ehlanzekile, enenqubekela phambili. Siyabonga. [The entire country should have good quality of life that is prosperous. Thank you.]
Madam Speaker and hon members, as we come to the end of yet another year, it is important that we exchange greetings as we head for the season of joy, peace and giving. We have to pat ourselves on the back for having soldiered through even the trying period of floor-crossing during which we witnessed the demise of some political parties. This period has passed, though its skeletons still haunt us regarding seating in the House and or administrative capacity.
We in the Chief Whips' Forum heaved and puffed for a great chunk of the year with hon Andries Nel acting as Chief Whip. I want to thank him very much for the sterling work he did and still does to help hon Mogase settle in as the Chief Whip.
Goroga Mokwena, re nelwe ke pula. [Let your presence be a blessing to us.] This collective has steered this Parliament to greater heights as we have always agreed to differ and thus bring stability to the proceedings in this House. Thanks go the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the House Chairpersons for the even-handedness with which they direct the proceeding of the House. We take note that they, to some extent, have a thankless job, taking into account what we sometimes say and do. We pray for their strength and wish them well.
Thanks go also to the administration of Parliament, the Secretary, the Secretary to the National Assembly, Mr Mansura, the entire Table staff and, of course, to people like Andrew Mbanga, who never ceases to ask for updates on the list of speakers for each debate and he constantly reminds us about our business in this Parliament. We thank the affable service officers for their delivery of documents and the upkeep of our offices.
Finally, let me, on behalf of the UCDP, invite you all to the mother of all celebrations as we shall be thanking God for His blessings on 8 December 2007 in Mmabatho. Let us wish the ANC a successful conference and hope they emerge from Polokwane with an acceptable future President for this country. God be with you till we meet again. When life's perils thick confound you, put His arms unfailing around you. God be with you, till we meet again.
I thank you.
Madam Speaker, it is unbelievable how fast this year has passed, and that we have once again concluded our fourth term. The MF, however, pays respect to 2007 as a constructive and progressive year for Parliament and South Africa as a whole.
As Parliament, both Houses have productively embarked on task teams and oversight visits that have served to give us a hawk's-eye view of the realities of South African living standards.
Great developments in legislation have been made, which is proof of the commitment of the executive and Parliament to endorse laws that uphold the values of the national Constitution and are instruments of transformatory legislation for further development and growth as a democracy.
I take this opportunity to applaud the three spheres of government for their great efforts to fulfil their mandates. We applaud both the NA and the NCOP for a good year's work. Applause is also rendered to the Chairs of both Houses and the administration just below the Table for their auspicious management of House affairs. To our members - even though we have often been at loggerheads - it has been a productive and progressive year that deserves a pat on the back. As we return to our constituencies, let us not lose focus on our ultimate commitment to serve the nation. May we return to this platform with the determination and commitment to further deliver upon nation building, transformation and democracy.
We have an impeccable team of staff and support staff in Parliament that has been by our side, making every parliamentary function possible and workable. For this we are abundantly grateful.
We thank all our supporters and members in our constituency for all their support and trust in our leadership and ability to best represent their interests.
To the Almighty God who has given us the health and strength to fulfil our tasks, we thank you and pray that we shall be blessed in the new year.
Lastly, we pay respect to our hon state President, the Presidency and the executive for the co-operative governance that they so highly institute. Let me also take this opportunity in wishing our matric students great success.
A beautiful life is built daily on honesty, integrity, friendship, sacrifice, consensus and humility. May this beautiful life be yours. I wish all of you a festive season with beautiful thoughts, wonderful wishes, an abundance of prayer and a fantastic 2008. I thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Speaker, we have once more reached the day where members must part ways and join their families. It has been a very long and strenuous year that took the lives of some of our beloved members and staff. It is a year where many untold truths happened because of the evolution of politics - a year which many of us would love to forget as challenges unfolded without solutions.
We must thank everyone in this Parliament - from members, the Presidency, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the Secretary to Parliament, the parliamentary administration, the protection unit, the police and all ground staff members who made us feel at home here. Let me not forget the staff and administration at our residences in Acacia Park and other parks, who, under difficult circumstances, accommodated us in a reasonable manner. To all of you, I want to say Happy Christmas and a very Prosperous New Year. I thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Speaker, one of the undisputed highlights of 2007 has been the surplus budget which indicates that our country is on an upward curve towards a better life for all.
South Africans are beginning to show confidence in the way Parliament and the state institutions are conducting their affairs as indicated by the World Values Survey results earlier this year. As Parliamentarians we may go into this holiday period with a semblance of ease that we have accounted ourselves reasonably well in our duties.
The second highlight for us was the visit to Parliament by the Springboks with the Rugby World Cup. We especially want to thank Madam Speaker and the Deputy Speaker for the clever idea of the invitation.
We are entering a new phase of a united country, and the 2010 Soccer World Cup preparations are another yardstick to show how we are growing in stature as a nation.
There is, of course, still much to be done, such as getting the Child Justice Bill approved. But we have done well in getting the Children's Amendment Bill passed this year.
Madam Speaker, in looking forward to the parliamentary programme for 2008, we need to be mindful that 2008 will be a watershed year because it will be the final year for the present government to make a lasting impact.
On behalf of the FD I wish to commend the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and all the presiding officers for the manner in which the parliamentary business was conducted. My thanks go to the Table staff and all the parliamentary support staff for a job well done.
Finally, the FD wishes everyone a safe and pleasant holiday, and may the Christmas of peace be the message we take to our constituencies and our families. May we all continue to live with hope and happiness in the land we love the most. I thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Speaker, before I get into my farewell speech, I want to thank Ntate Mfundisi for the kind words he said about the ANC. I want to tell you, I've been a member of the ANC for 51 years, happily, and the past government of apartheid tried to smash us. We beat them, and that is why we took over here. [Interjections.]
So, all the speculation in the newspapers about the ANC conference is unfounded. In fact, we are going to come out of it very strong and some parties are going to disappear when we have elections in 2009. [Interjections.] They are going to disappear!
Time will tell!
Right!
Today, we bid farewell to one another as Members of Parliament. We bid farewell in the knowledge that we have taken forward the task of deepening and consolidating our democracy through creating a parliament which is compassionate, accessible and reflective of the needs and interests of the aspirations and hopes of the people of South Africa.
This is in line with the Freedom Charter that speaks of a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it. You must enjoy it. All of you, you must go under the Freedom Charter. You are ruled by the Freedom Charter. [Interjections.]
In this Chamber, in committees and in constituencies we have worked hard and tirelessly to make a real difference in the daily lives of the people of South Africa. It is here that our society, through its public representatives and political parties, has an opportunity to develop the national policy.
We have continued with our task of passing transformative legislation. As we prepare for the end-of-the-year break, I'm sure all of us will remember the moments of excitement in this Parliament and the drama that has characterised the parliamentary year, especially the birthday party cake that was brought here. Some will look at it with scorn, but to some it was the joke of the year in this Parliament.
I am sure that members are genuine in their beliefs and whilst I may not agree with the views they express, I've never doubted the genuineness of the manner in which they represented their constituencies. We should all be proud of and maintain that record in this Parliament.
Madam Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to you for your patience and thoughtfulness throughout the year. Even though some of the more significant pieces of legislation have been debated vigorously, robustly and uncompromisingly, you have exercised a steady hand over our sometimes heated exchanges to ensure the smooth running of this Parliament.
My appreciation also goes to the Secretary of Parliament and the legal advisers behind me here. I further extend my sincere thanks to the security staff and the police, who must feel they have the least pleasant task in this place. To the staff of the parliamentary dining room, I thank you for the good food and fine service. I sometimes see people going for some more! [Interjections.]
Many people help us carry out our duties as members of this Parliament. An important group is the staff of the various parties. They are often the frontline troops and we all recognise their considerable efforts. I extend my thanks to all of them.
It is with pleasure that I extend my Christmas wishes to members and staff who have made all this possible. Surely I'm not the only person who is looking forward to Christmas and a chance to return to my constituency, and to spend some well-deserved time with my family and friends.
So, we say farewell! Go in peace now from this place to our regions and constituencies, and prepare for the next chapter in our success story. Spend your time well - spend it with your families and relatives, and we say thank you. The ANC is coming back in 2008 stronger and stronger. Thank you! [Interjections.] [Applause.]
I thank the hon members for the farewell speeches and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the hon members for the work done for our people in this year. It was a hectic year.
We started the year off looking forward to major changes in the biggest parties in the country and it has happened with the DA, and we are now, as hon members have pointed out, going on to the conference of the ANC, the ruling party. We move towards that major event with no doubt that it will be a success and therefore we will come back with a strong House, strengthened by the fact that the two biggest parties have renewed themselves in whatever way that they will have decided.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the honourable staff, and today the staff is called "honourable," because I do believe they are very honourable. [Applause.] Members of staff work very hard. I'd like to say that to us as hon Members of Parliament. They work very hard and they do a mostly thankless job, because nobody really gets to know just what they go through and the amount of time and energy they put into what they do to help us to do our job. I thank the Secretary of the National Assembly and his team, because they have carried the work in spite of the ongoing challenges, which we, of course, will continue to try and improve on. [Applause.]
I wish to thank the Deputy Speaker and the House Chairpersons, who have come into the Office of the Speaker to try and share the load of the work that we have to carry. I'd like to thank the Deputy Speaker for launching the gyms and in particular the attention and energy with which she looks after the issues of our wellbeing. [Applause.]
May I also congratulate all hon members for finally being approached by an additional cheque before their December cheque, because either in the next two days or on Tuesday at the latest, hon members will receive an additional cheque. [Interjections.]
Hon members, may I also add my voice to those who have wished you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and indeed also emphasise what has been said, that we should spend the time with our families, whom we neglect most of the year. Be renewed and come back more charged and ready to tackle 2008, which is not going to be a relaxed year, because it's virtually our last year. So, as we part, I wish you well, hon members.