Deputy Chairperson, colleagues, comrades and friends, South Africa rates amongst the top diamond-producing countries in the world. Those diamonds are immediately exported only to return as expensive jewellery and watches that our ordinary people cannot afford. This scenario ensures that the rich become richer and the poor poorer, including the mineworkers who work for poor wages on these dangerous diamond mines.
These two Bills before the House today, the Diamond Export Levy Bill [B22 of 2007] and the Diamond Export Levy (Administration) Bill [B23 of 2007] will bring sanity by ensuring that producers sell at least 40% to the State Diamond Trader so that the diamond polishers and cutters can buy from this agency. The diamond producers do not support local cutters and polishers. However, the State Diamond Trader will also buy their diamonds at market value, so that they will not be in any way disadvantaged by selling to the State Diamond Trader, but will contribute to job creation for other South Africans. Currently there are approximately 2 100 cutters involved in this industry in the country.
So, this industry has a potential for growth that's fulfilling the ideals of the Freedom Charter of ensuring that people share in the wealth of this country. I'm sure all patriots support the transformation of the economy.
In submissions received from business it is clear that the Bill does enjoy sufficient consensus. Of course, they will have reservations on details. Government has no intention of killing the goose that lays the golden egg but someone must ensure that there is transformation in the mining sector for the benefit of all citizens of the country. It's not going to happen automatically. Our regulatory framework must create a climate that will create opportunities for small business as well to engage in this lucrative diamond industry. That is the reason for the introduction of these two Bills.
The role of the State Diamond Trader is therefore to ensure that all players play by the rules by monitoring and evaluating the requirements of the law. It will ensure that macro, medium and small producers are treated fairly, but also ensure that there's enough capacity on the ground to absorb those diamonds.
Our manifesto states that the government will have to accelerate job creation and the creation of small and medium businesses, thus leading to those commitments. Deputy Chairperson, this is an assault on the continued economic exclusion and deprivation of the poor. The Select Committee on Finance proposes to this House the adoption of these two Bills. Thank you.
Debate concluded.
I shall now put the question in respect of the fourth Order. The question is that the Bill be agreed to. In accordance with Rule 63, I shall first allow political parties to make their declarations of vote if they so wish.
We shall now proceed to the voting on the question. Those in favour say ``Aye''. Those against, ``no''. I think the ``ayes'' have it. The majority of members have voted in favour. I therefore declare the Bill agreed to in terms of section 75 of the Constitution.
I shall now put the question in respect of the fifth Order. The question is that the Bill be agreed to. In accordance with Rule 63, I shall first allow political parties to make their declarations of vote if they so wish.
We shall now proceed to the voting on the question. Those in favour say ``Aye''. Those against, ``no''. I think the ``ayes'' have it. The majority of members have voted in favour. I therefore declare the Bill agreed to in terms of section 75 of the Constitution.