Madam Deputy Speaker, I am very thrilled to see that the Chief Whip of the Majority Party bows to the superiority of the DA motions. That is a very important factor. [Laugther.] I hereby move without notice:
That the House -
1) notes that the first phase of the construction of the Gautrain has been completed and on 8 June 2010 the Gautrain will undertake its maiden voyage between Sandton and the O R Tambo International Airport with scheduled stops at Marlboro and Rhodesfield in Gauteng;
[Interjections.]
Sir, on a point of order, I thought Mr Manamela was far better-looking. [Laughter.]
I want to say, Madam Deputy Speaker, that is purely a matter of opinion. [Laughter.] And I would suggest that the hon Pandor keeps her opinions to herself. [Laughter.]
Now, I don't know where I was, Madam Speaker. [Laughter.]
Start from the beginning.
And this is a very long Motion without notice. If the House gets very cross, please appeal to the hon Pandor. [Laughter.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, I hereby move without notice:
That the House -
1) notes that the first phase of the construction of the Gautrain has been completed and on 8 June 2010 the Gautrain will undertake its maiden voyage between Sandton and the O.R. Tambo International Airport with scheduled stops at Marlboro and Rhodesfield in Gauteng; 2) recognises that the construction of this world class transport service comprised of both rail and bus services will revolutionise the transport system within the province by providing thousands of commuters with an alternative cost effective and more eco-friendly form of transport to motor vehicles, which will thus alleviate traffic congestion within the economic hub of South Africa;
3) further recognises that this project will help to stimulate economic development without undermining the profitability of the established taxi industry and will also help to alleviate poverty by creating at least 2 million further job opportunities for South Africans over the course of the next 15 years;
4) acknowledges the years of planning and hard work which have been invested into this project, which was first conceived in 2002, and also the men and women who have worked tirelessly over the past 45 months during the construction of phase one of this project;
5) congratulates all members of the management structure comprised of the Provincial Political Steering Committee, the Gautrain Project Team and the Project Review Committee who, through their hard work, have ensured that South African commuters and tourists alike will have access to a range of services including a world class Airport Service and dedicated Commuter Service before the "kick-off" of the Fifa World Cup; and
6) wishes the management structure and all interested stakeholders everything of the best for the maiden voyage of the Gautrain on 8 June 2010.
Agreed to.
Thank you, hon Pandor. Hon Deputy Speaker, I hereby move without notice:
That the House notes that after Order No 3 precedence be given to Order No 1 under Further Business on today's Order Paper as reprinted: Consideration of Report of Ad Hoc Joint Committee on South Africa's Readiness for Fifa World Cup.
Agreed to.
Hon members, I wish to bring to the attention of the House that I have approved a request by the Minister of Correctional Services to make a statement on issues pertaining to the escape of 42 inmates at the Harrismith correctional facility on 31 May 2010. [Applause.]