Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon Andries Nel for holding an imbizo, as well as the hon Matsemela for raising the issue of health. In terms of the Polokwane resolutions, health and education have been identified as priorities for this government.
The president of the ANC, Comrade Jacob Zuma, in the January 8 Statement, had the following to say referring to education:
This is a task that necessarily requires a longer view. Education must be elevated from being a departmental issue or even a government issue to a societal issue, one that occupies the attention and energy of all our people.
On 15 August 2008, at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, the secretary- general of the ANC launched the education and health mobilisation campaign. The campaign was all about ensuring that all sectors, the community, learners, educators and parents, get involved in this critical task of education. It embarked on or launched a process in terms whereof there were non-negotiables: One, that the teachers must ensure that they are at school on time; that they attend to tasks on time; that they ensure that quality education is provided; that learners stick to their responsibilities and ensure that where quality education is provided, they attend school; and that communities support the schools.
Communities, obviously, have the responsibility of ensuring that they create a caring environment within the communities for school-going learners.
This year would be the ultimate solution to eradicating poverty and overcoming underdevelopment.
With regard to hon Matsemela's statement, the human capital of this country depends largely on the health and wellbeing of our citizens. Productive citizens have to be healthy and, therefore, for that reason, we certainly support the initiatives of Comrade Andries Nel. The department has indeed responded to the request to meet with the communities on the issue raised by the hon member. Thank you very much.