Chairperson, I would like to respond to at least four of the issues that were raised. The hon Nyekemba spoke about the important raids conducted by the Department of Labour on a number of shopping malls in several cities of our country. This is very important. When we talk about crime and acts of illegality, we forget about those committed against working-class people.
There is a debate in this House around whether labour brokers should be regulated or banned. But, whether they are banned or regulated, unless there is a capacity to effectively inspect what is going on in places of production, whether in shopping malls, on farms or in the minibus sector, regulations will not be effective. This is important.
Hon Godi welcomed and saluted the appointment of Judge Seriti. But he would, wouldn't he? Because Judge Seriti would now be determining the remuneration packages for us public representatives. We hope that all of us, in this House, will support him in his work. We need, also, to support him in the difficult challenge in this year.
He will have to look at effective salaries for public representatives, bearing in mind that we do carry difficult tasks and challenges but at the same time keeping in mind that we are in a climate of recession. We hope that the energy that some members of the opposition have brought to bear around executive packages is equally brought to bear around the general remuneration of public representatives.
Hon Kenye raised the issue of the public health system and the critical importance of supporting it. Sixty percent of all health resources, including personnel, money, clinics, beds, etc, are used by the 14% of South Africans who are on medical aid. The rest of South Africans have to depend on the remaining 40%.
The medical aid situation is in dire straits at present. In 1994, 25% of South Africans were on medical aids and now it is down at 14% and dropping as they become unaffordable. Building and rebuilding the public health care system is important and, if not, we will all be in trouble.
Hon Mangena talked about the important tsunami exercise which happened yesterday where South Africa was an active partner, with a number of other Indian Ocean countries, in testing our readiness to deal with a tsunami situation. This is a broader international responsibility that South Africa is undertaking in terms of the maritime sector search, rescue and disaster management.
Yesterday government launched an exercise in the Drakensberg to deal with aviation rescue and search operations. We have the co-operation of all our neighbouring countries, including Ghana and Madagascar. In our search and rescue operations, which are linked to the tsunami matter which was mentioned by hon Mangena, some 250 lives have been saved halfway across the Atlantic and halfway across the Indian Ocean. These are some of the responsibilities that South Africa is accepting. The tsunami exercise needs to be understood as part and parcel of these responsibilities.
We often underrate and do not understand the enormous international role that South Africa is playing in some of these critical areas. Thank you.