Order! I request that this House comes to order immediately, please! You are impugning the decorum of this House. Please, let there be order in this House immediately!
Chairperson, the energy crisis that gripped South Africa for so long was a clear indication that Eskom did not have the generating capacity to meet the needs of our growing population and to support our growth targets. This Bill before us today is to provide for a subordinated loan to Eskom in support of its investment in enhanced electricity generation capacity and security of supply. The passing of this Bill is therefore very important and is supported by the Select Committee on Finance.
We hope that the additional funds will be used wisely to enhance the generating capacity, and not only to provide relief to businesspeople and people in urban areas, but also to speed up the electrification of our rural areas.
I do sympathise with the people and businesses in urban areas that have suffered as a result of the electricity shortages. However, I believe that more attention and resources must be focused on, firstly, electrifying our rural areas at a more rapid pace and, secondly, ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to these areas so that the quality of life of the people in these areas can be improved. The lack of development and electrification of the rural areas also has a negative social and economic impact on the urban areas as it causes people to flee these areas for the cities and towns. They take shelter in urban informal settlements, again placing a demand on service delivery.
The Select Committee on Finance requests that this House supports the Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.