Chairperson, we are entering the season of peace and goodwill, and so this is the occasion for kind words of thanks and holiday good wishes.
You will probably, therefore, be relieved to hear that I will not be using this opportunity to refer to the fact that for the last five months of this year, Parliament has been inhibited from playing its rightful role of exercising oversight over the executive and bringing them to account by the fact that Parliament has hardly met.
I will also not use this opportunity to refer to the fact that the President has only appeared twice to answer oral questions, the Deputy President once and three government clusters only once. Neither will I be referring to the fact that the Scorpions Bills and Broadcasting Amendments Bills which were passed by Parliament were a blot on this Parliament's copybook.
Nor even will I mention the fact that the integrity of this institution was further called into question by the termination of the mandate of the liquidators in the Travelgate matter and the purchase of the outstanding debt by Parliament.
I am not going to refer to any of these matters because this is the beginning of the season of peace and goodwill - and I do not want to pick a fight with the hon members on the opposite side of this House on this the last day of the session.
It's in this spirit that I formally, from this podium, congratulate the new Chief and Deputy Whips of the Majority Party. I wish them peace in the New Year. I wish I could offer them prosperity as well, but the Moseneke Commission had other thoughts.
I do promise not to be extra difficult in respect of my dealing with the Chief Whip as I am hugely concerned that since my becoming Chief Whip of the DA, I have literally seen off two Chief Whips and one Acting Chief Whip of the ANC. I don't know why I have this effect on people. But it must be either me or possibly all the turmoil that is in the ranks of the majority party. Now, who knows what's going to happen in the New Year? I promise the new Chief Whip that I will do my best to co-operate.
Nonetheless, let me thank them for the good working relationship we have had while they were in the Office of the Chief Whip and wish them well. I have to say that when one looks at the two Chief Whips and one Acting Chief Whip, one left as a result of being in disgrace, one was demoted and one was promoted - so there you are!
I don't want to speculate about the fact that the Hon Baleka Mbete also left her post during the course of this year. She has now become the Deputy President and I am sure it is only because of my very good working relationship with her that she has achieved such high office. We wish her well too.
To the new Speaker, may I congratulate her and wish her long life, long life, not only in her life but in her post as well, because I don't know how long she will be there for.
The Christmas season is about giving and receiving presents. And when I look around the Chamber at this time in our political history, and more particularly, with an election looming, it reminds me of a family around a Christmas tree on Christmas morning - full of excitement and anticipation. As always, when Father Christmas delivers the presents some get more than they anticipate, others are disappointed - sometimes there are even tears.
The bigger brother is anticipating that because, being the oldest, he had in the past received a big present, he will once again receive a big present. What he doesn't realise is that others in the family are now growing up and getting bigger - so I am afraid he will be disappointed. Even more so, because I don't think he's quite realised yet that there is a new baby in the house. I hope there won't be too much disappointment for their side and I certainly hope there won't be tears. I wish I could advise the older child to write urgently to Father Christmas to request him to deliver a bigger present, but I am a little afraid that Father Christmas might just ask why he should deliver a bigger present when the older brother himself has failed to deliver very much over the last 14 years.
But perhaps this Christmas allegory is a bit too complicated for the end of the session. Perhaps let me just take this opportunity to first of all thank all the DA officials, research staff, my own personal assistant, PA, and the DA Whips who helped me, and indeed all the Whips of all parties who co-operated so well in the interests of Parliament.
Let me also thank the Presiding Officers and all the staff of Parliament, from the most senior to the most junior, for doing their best to treat us with courtesy and consideration and for giving of their best.
Finally, then, may I take this opportunity to wish the Presiding Officers, all the hon members and all the staff a happy and blessed Christmas and a very good New Year. Thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, I want to say that Mr Davidson has done all the beautiful thank-yous and I don't want to repeat them, except to say that we join with him in expressing all those thank-yous and words of appreciation to everybody. Therefore, what we should do today is to acknowledge that in the past year this Parliament has performed according to international parliamentary standards. [Applause.] And we can all be proud of this Parliament. We did have a number of exceptions to that rule, like the hon Mr Ellis, who I have heard is becoming an ambassador. Fortunately, he is leaving us. I believe he will be South Africa's ambassador at Robben Island. We have several senior positions changing in Parliament. [Laughter.] [Interjections.]
Chairperson, on a point of order, sir. The hon Van der Merwe will know the strict rule that when a person is appointed as an ambassador it is not allowed to be made public until such time as the President signs it. The President hasn't yet signed my certificate. So, Mr Van der Merwe is totally out of order!
I am just wondering how we knew it, you see. [Laughter.]
I have this information from the Presidency and I know that ... [Interjections.]
I went to the President and discussed the appointment of Mr Ellis and he asked me where we should send him. I firstly thought to Gough Island and then Robben Island, and the President has signed it. So, goodbye, Mike. [Laughter.]
Chairperson, the last time Mr Van der Merwe gave us a cake was when he couldn't see the President. I wonder if he would be so kind as to send us a cake again now that he has seen the President. [Laughter.]
Chairperson, I have specially taken a big, beautiful cake to the new Speaker. Both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker ate that cake in the Speaker's office and I am sorry that you didn't even get a crumb of it.
There have been a number of changes. I want to agree with Mr Davidson and congratulate the new Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief Whip, but also I want to pay special tribute to the former Speaker, now Deputy President, Baleka Mbete. Over many years as Deputy Speaker and then as Speaker, she was a big and shining diamond in our parliamentary crown. Thank you, Madam Deputy President, we are proud of you. [Applause.]
To Mr Andries Nel, who is now a presiding officer, congratulations on your well deserved promotion, Andries. [Applause.]
To the new Speaker, Madam Gwen, thank you very much for being the Speaker not only of one political party but of all members of Parliament. [Applause.]
Today is a very special day. It is the last sitting day of the year 2008. It is therefore not a day to criticise, although there might be room for criticism. I am not going to say this, and then, like Mr Davidson, take a few stabs - stabbing below the belt.
We are at the end of yet another year of service to the people of South Africa. I am sure we are all tired and looking forward to a well-deserved rest. And I am sure everyone has done his best including Dr Gawie, the CI governor; you have also worked hard.
Let us therefore pause for a moment on this last sitting day, and let us rather concentrate on fellowship, friendship and goodwill today. Let us today express good wishes, such as that we will all enjoy a well-deserved break as from today; that we will all enjoy a wonderful Christmas with our families; and that the Lord will bring us all back next year to resume our service to the people of our beloved land.
In conclusion, I wish to make a very sincere appeal to all members. After all, we are all colleagues no matter to which party we belong. My sincere appeal is about next year's very important general election. My concern is that there are unfortunately already ominous signs of a very turbulent time ahead.
Therefore, let us all take a specific New Year's resolution; namely, that we will conduct that election in a spirit of ubuntu. [Applause.]
Let us therefore refrain from personal attacks and insults and emotional electioneering. Let us, as members of Parliament and leaders, motivate and impress upon our party supporters to keep cool and ensure a peaceful election. Let us resolve to fight those elections in a manner that will demonstrate to the outside world, and in particular Africa and Zimbabwe, that South Africa has truly became a democratic country in which we respect one another and in which we respect and uphold the values of our Constitution. Let these be our sincere New Year's resolutions. Go well and may God protect you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, may I ask the hon Mr Van der Merwe a question?
Mr Chairperson, I still have a few seconds left and as it is a very simple question that is normally put by this member I will take. [Applause.]
It is a very simple question. [Laughter.]
In the first place you have no seconds left, but you may take the question. [Laughter.]
Chairperson, Mr Van der Merwe is quite right, it is a very simple question. Shouldn't we be using this opportunity, Mr Van der Merwe, to say goodbye to you once and for all, or do you intend coming back again? [Laughter.]
Chairperson, I wish once again to announce my retirement. I will retire on the day that I die. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
Chairperson, hon members, first let me join my colleagues in congratulating our colleagues on their new appointments, which they deserve. The end of another year has arrived, perhaps more rapidly than expected because of the many dramatic political and legislative developments that we have experienced.
This year Parliament has succeeded in processing a significantly larger portion of legislation than previously. However, it has come at a price in terms of quality, because I fear that there has been an unseemly rush to process Bills that will later be open to legal challenges and require amendment or redrafting.
Another aspect of this legislative year that we need to take note of is that this year this House has been used by the ruling party to pursue dubious and ill-conceived political objectives by way of legislation. Two particular examples of this occurrence spring to mind: firstly, the disbandment of the Scorpions and secondly, the legislative intervention to remove the SABC Board.
We should probably bid farewell to many of our colleagues in the ruling party benches because one suspects that by early next year they will have resigned in order to pursue their politics under other auspices.
On this note, I want to appeal to all the hon members that we should recognise the need for mature and responsible political contest. It is our duty to ensure that our election campaigns do not degenerate into infantile name-calling, hate speech and the incitement of violence.
At this time of the year, three other important matters require mentioning. While we are in our constituencies we need to help spread the message. Firstly, on 1 December it is Aids Day. It is an opportunity to further raise awareness about the pandemic.
Secondly, the 16 days of activism campaign for no violence against women and children will be underway and again as leaders in our communities, we can help spread this important message. Finally, the holiday is a time for family relaxation but also a time when a large number of South Africans die on our roads. Let us practise and preach road safety, wherever we go. [Time expired.]
Chairperson, colleagues, between now and when we reconvene in February, I know there will be very little rest for most of us as we go into our constituencies and focus on party work in preparation for the 2009 national and provincial elections.
The Christmas season, however, is an important time of celebration for Christians as it marks the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The ACDP wishes all members of Parliament, officials, staff of Parliament and the people of South Africa a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2009.
This year has been an unusually interesting year in politics as events have taken some abrupt twists and turns, resulting in an exhilarating shaking up of democracy. Suddenly people are daring to hope that there is more to democracy than this thing we have experienced for the most part of the past 15 years.
I am reminded of the words by James Bovard - and you need to visualise this mental picture: "Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner." [Laughter.]
Happy Christmas, travel safely and God bless you all.
Ngiyabingelela sibonge ukuqeda unyaka, obewunyaka noko obungelula, omude kuneminingi, obunezinkinga kanye nezimangaliso. Ngiyabonga kodwa ukufika kuleli thuba. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Greetings to you all, and we are grateful for ending the year; a year that was not easy at all, that was longer than the rest, and which had problems and surprises. But I am grateful to reach this stage.]
May I also indulge your patience. Let us close our eyes and think of the last Christmas we had. I want to take this House on a journey, a journey into the time of lapho itshe lisancinzwa ngozipho [when a stone had to be raised with fingernails.]
Think of green scenery, colourful flowers, the rain, the sun, the beaches and the picnics. Do we remember when we had family, Christmas trees, the singing, the concerts, the jokes, the love overflowing, the food, the house calls and the spirit of sharing? Open your eyes.
As public representatives, may we revive that spirit in our constituencies, although there are economic constraints.
Ukujabula akuvinjwa ubuphofu, ukujabula buhamba nokufisa umoya omnandi nokwakha ubuhlobo obuqinile noma siqhutshwa ukuthi siyafuna ukusebenza ngokwepolitiki ake sikusebenzele kodwa ukujabula kwesizwe nabantu bakithi. Ake siwakhe umoya kakhisimuzi nomoya kaNcibijane omnandi. Khisimuzi omuhle malunga. Ngiyabonga. Merry Christmas. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Happiness is not hindered by destitution; happiness is accompanied by a good spirit and the building of a strong relationship. Even though we are politically motivated, let us work to ensure the happiness of the nation and our fellow people. Let us revive the good spirit of Christmas and New Year. Merry Christmas, hon members. Thank you.]
Chairperson, time never ceases to amaze me. How fast this year has passed and how fast have the past four years passed! It has been a productive, eventful year and the MF applauds all who have contributed to the effective running of both Houses in this national sphere of government.
I take this opportunity to thank our amazing Madam Speaker, Deputy Speaker, not forgetting our former Speaker, who is now the Deputy President of our country, and we are very proud of her. Furthermore, I extend thanks to the NA table, the Secretary to Parliament, the Secretary of the NA and to all Whips of all the political parties.
Committees have been hard at work fulfilling our parliamentary duties and introducing legislation that best delivered to our democracy. We applaud all committees and committee chairs for their hard work and dedication. We certainly cannot leave the House without thanking all our support staff and parliamentary staff who made our task so much easier. The service officers deserve special thanks.
I would like to wish all a safe and happy festive season. May all be surrounded by loved ones, laughter and great feasts. As we close the doors for 2008, may 2009 bring us much success, prosperity and joy. I wish a very Happy New Year to all. On 8 December Muslims will be celebrating Bakri Eid, and I say Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim citizens. The MF wishes all matriculants the best of luck and a prosperous future.
Lastly, we thank all our supporters and constituencies for their support and trust in our leadership. I profess our gratitude to them and guarantee them of our dedication and commitment.
Almighty God, I pray for Your guidance, blessing and care over South Africa and all those who live in it. Many thanks and much love to all of you. I thank you.
Hon Chairperson, I would like to say, ...
... bengicela ukuthi ngithi kwiNkatha Freedom Party dudu akwehlanga lungehlanga.[... condolences to the Inkatha Freedom Party.]
I am standing here before you today having filled the shoes that were generally too big to be filled. The shoes were for some time worn by the outgoing Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party, hon Mthethwa and hon Andries Nel, respectively. Their guidance on how to tie the shoelaces made it possible for us to assemble here today. To them I want to say: You have done a good job in the Whippery. [Applause.]
On behalf of the ANC, I would like to thank all members of this House for the good work done this year. I would like to thank the Table staff and the Secretary to the NA for the excellent work that they have done. They really go beyond the call of duty to assist in the smooth running of the House. I thank the service officers, all the staff members of Parliament and the staff of the various political parties for their assistance. We would like to thank members of the media for covering our proceedings and debates. We do not always agree with what they say, but we thank them for their work.
The ANC believes in the correctness of our policies, strategies and tactics. However, in the same breath, we also believe in constructive engagement which does not exclude criticism. The ANC believes that we learn more from mistakes than from success because he who has never made a mistake cannot make a discovery. This Parliament is an important body that allows us to learn from one another. In the process we say things that might hurt others. These things are not personal.
Let me highlight some of the important achievements of this Parliament since 1994. This Parliament has been led by women Speakers in an excellent manner. [Applause.] Leaders of various parties in this Parliament are women. We have increased the number of women chairpersons and whips in this Parliament since 1994.
The number of young people and people living with disabilities has increased since 1994. After the general election the ANC will ensure that 50% of the ANC public representatives and members of the national executives will be women. We are challenging all parties in this House, and those who want to be elected to this House, to do the same or even more.
This House has passed very progressive legislation such as the money Bill, the Child Justice Bill and many others that will change the course of history forever. We have been part of the initiative of promoting peace and democracy in Africa and in the rest of the world. These successes could only be achieved because of the commitment of all of us to create a better society.
The Freedom Charter declares that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white. No government can just claim authority unless it is based on the will of the people. It is because of the will of the people that we are here today. It is because of the will of the people that we are the majority party.
It is because of the will of the people that there are minority parties, and we respect their right to be here and we will defend to the death their right to differ with us. We know that they will defend to the death our right to articulate and defend our policies as the majority party. This forces us into a healthy co-existence to build our democracy.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate members of this House and those who have been appointed in terms of section 193 of the Constitution, who have been appointed to the Cabinet. We would also like to congratulate the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker and all other members who were given positions of responsibility during the term ending next year - and that includes members of the opposition.
We differ ideologically, tactically and strategically, but we are not enemies. We should not be enemies. [Applause.] We are just friends who see a society which we want to create differently. Let us all campaign vigorously but fairly. Our democracy is becoming stronger every day. As we go into recess and the constituency period we will miss the jokes of hon Van der Merwe and hon Dennis Bloem and of many others. [Applause.]
Our wish is that everybody would come back from the opposition parties after the elections, but that is not possible because as the ANC we are going to increase our majority. [Applause.] Unfortunately, that has implications for some of us.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Do not drink and drive. As we celebrate Christmas and the New Year, we must also remember that there are those in our country, in Africa and in the rest of the world, who go to bed without food. We must remember that there are those who die of treatable diseases because they have no money to buy drugs.
There are those who are being killed in civil wars. Let us redouble our efforts to build a caring nation. The contribution of each and every one of us is a victory for humankind. Let us go and be soldiers to implement the Freedom Charter. We part to meet and meet to part. Let us meet again and let joy be our watchword. Hambani kahle, tot siens. Goodbye. [Applause.]
Order, please! When you speak about enemies, we are not enemies. I remember this young person who was just elected to Parliament for the first time touring the House of Commons. Then he sits next to a stalwart who has been in Parliament for a long time.
Then he says to the stalwart, "It's good now to sit here and watch your enemies." He points at the opposition. The old stalwart said, "No, you got it wrong, my son." He asks, "Why?" The old member answers. "That is the opposition party, the enemies are here behind you!" [Applause.] [Laughter.] I'm sure we all know that experience!
I am now going to read a message from the Speaker, who is not here. She asked me to convey this message to you. I'm going to read it to you unamended.