Mr Speaker, Cope believes firmly that broad-based black economic empowerment, BBBEE, is a misnomer. It is neither broad-based nor empowering to the disadvantaged people of our country. Cope therefore supports grass-roots economic empowerment, GEE. That is what the people of South Africa are demanding. A referendum to ask this question will return an overwhelming response in support of GEE. Even the ruling party's Youth League is vociferous in its condemnation of the very small circle of people that BBBEE has benefited.
Cope urges the government to produce an audit, listing the people who have been beneficiaries of empowerment and the quantity of benefits they have acquired. This will allow the nation to judge whether the "empowerment" - so-called, of course - has achieved its primary objectives, including these primary objectives being met in the period set for them to be achieved. Failure to do so will confirm the public's view that BBBEE has been all smoke and mirrors - a display to dazzle without delivering anything to the target, excluding the chosen few, of course.
In respect of the distribution of benefits, even the ruling party's allies are scathingly critical of the government. Even the labour movement is now characterising South Africa as a predatory state. [Time expired.] [Applause.]