Hon Deputy Speaker, the Johannesburg Council has responded favourably to the call of hon President Jacob Zuma to transform this people's tribune into an activist parliament. In this regard we wish to congratulate in particular the chief whip of the council, Councillor Nonceba Molwene.
On 2 November 2009 the ANC in Johannesburg took its caucus to Soweto to interact with the people. The caucus included national and provincial public representatives. This oversight visit afforded the caucus an opportunity to engage with the local communities on issues of service delivery, as well as to report back on government development projects for the area such as city parks, city power, Pikitup, children's libraries and recreational facilities.
The ANC views the undertaking by the Johannesburg ANC caucus as setting an example of an activist parliament which ensures, through its oversight and legislative role, that there is a speedy roll-out of basic services to the people. We also believe that the introduction of the doctrine of the separation of powers that Johannesburg is piloting will enhance oversight and we commend it to this House.
The Johannesburg caucus responded positively to the call by hon Kgalema Motlanthe, ANC Deputy President and the Leader of Government Business, for enhanced co-ordination, co-operation and mutual support within the legislative arm of the state. In particular, and most importantly, the Johannesburg caucus understands that our parliamentary system consists of the national, provincial and local spheres and that mutual support of the three spheres, and co-ordination and co-operation across the three spheres, enhance our capacity for oversight and delivery of quality services to all our people.
In conclusion, the interaction of the Johannesburg caucus with the people of Soweto demonstrated that many of the so-called service delivery protests could and should be arrested by getting national, provincial and local public representatives to work together through one-stop parliamentary constituency offices to address the needs of the people as collectives. I thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, may I ask whether you will be prepared to be as lenient with us in the time allocation as you were with the Chief Whip of the ANC?
Let me say, to some extent I have been lenient right through. But this term, particularly, was confused completely by the Table. That is why I was asking, and I apologise for that.