Chairperson, I can see that everyone wants to go home and is very happy. I can see the happiness and I can read the mood.
Chairperson and hon members, as we bid one another farewell, this is also an important moment to reflect on the work we have done during the course of the year. As we conclude this year, we can highlight some of the achievements and indicate areas where we need to improve in the new year.
Firstly, through several initiatives we managed to put co-operative government and intergovernmental relations firmly on the agenda of the NCOP. Secondly, we have used the Provincial Week to facilitate and co- ordinate oversight and understand the challenges facing provinces.
However, we need to ensure that the Provincial Week and the Taking Parliament to the People programme talk to each other, especially for the following purposes. Interaction between the NCOP and the provinces has improved greatly. For example, for the first time we now get regular progress reports on section 139 interventions. I want to thank the committee for that; they are doing a good job. [Applause.]
The most recent reports we received this week were progress reports on interventions in the Sunday's River Valley Local Municipality, the Kou- Kamma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape and others. This is important because, as the House, we need to know if the interventions are working and also draw lessons for future actions.
Thirdly, judging by the thrust of the debates in this House, one notes that members share a common understanding of the role of the NCOP as a House that represents the interests of provinces and that has the responsibility to promote co-operation and co-ordination among the three spheres of government.
In March, and as recently as last week, we successfully hosted the Taking Parliament to the People programme in the Limpopo and Free State provinces respectively. What is important is that these were the first activities since we remodelled the programme to provide for more detailed planning and follow-up.
Although we have not yet gone back to check up on progress in the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality, I am happy that work is going ahead amidst some challenges. For example, the plan to build a road and bridge at Mankele by 2010 to replace the makeshift "segwaigwai" [cable car] is said to be under way. Also, a bridge is being planned for the Olifants River.
The Mogale Wa Bagale Technical School has been put on the infrastructure priority list for the 2010-11 financial year and renovations of the Taung High School were expected to start two months ago.
Progress to create a structure to liaise with mines, the community and government is said to be under way and infrastructure development is being unlocked, especially at Atok Mine, where they are targeting 45 households.
However, we still need to see if the reports we continue to get are true reflections of the interventions being made. This must be our priority early next year. We need to go back there and do our work. We, and the committees particularly, need to do report-back visits there.
The configuration of the portfolios of House Chairpersons is beginning to show some positive impact with regard to the management of our work. Although much work still needs to be done to smooth some committee activities, I must commend our administration for beginning to provide more support to the programmes of the institution.
It is important that in rendering support the administration component is informed by the needs of members of this House and not by what the administration thinks members need. Therefore, we need to interact very closely with the members so that we can understand what their needs are in terms of the support they need.
The time has come for delegates to this House to return home for their constituency work and for the end-of-the-year recess. I would like to remind them to remain vigilant during the constituency period by paying particular attention to how government is responding to the call to ensure that we prioritise, among other things, education, health, fighting poverty and creating job opportunities.
I wish to thank fellow presiding officers, the Whippery, the chairpersons of committees and officials for raising the banner of the NCOP even under difficult circumstances. As you have seen at the weekend, for the first time the Sunday Times devoted much space to commenting on our work.
While we do not necessarily agree with them - I agree with Mr Watson that they chose to project our work - it was clear that they appreciated the interventions we made. The more attention they pay to this House, the more they will realise our impact in achieving the medium- and long-term goals, chief among them being the bringing of democracy into action to the people in remote parts of the land as part of our contribution and nation- building.
We will keep on teaching these things until all the people understand how the NCOP functions and works. We should not tire of doing that.
It should be noted that the people and many role-players and stakeholders have expressed support for this programme, not least among these is the Presidency itself. I'm sure you heard the comment of the President on Friday endorsing this programme - that we should continue and that it is a wonderful programme.
I am looking forward to a well-deserved holiday after my last engagement in the second week of December. I wish you the same. May you come back refreshed next year to continue with the wonderful work you are doing for the institution. May God bless you as you go back home and enjoy your holidays with your kids. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Chairperson, it is indeed an honour to stand here again today, taking part in this debate on this topic for the seventh year in succession.
At a time like this, I would have loved to reflect on all of my colleagues, both the quiet and the rowdy ones, but I would not be able to do justice to all your unique characters in such a short speech. I would therefore urge you all to take the time that lies ahead and write a book about yourselves so that we can read and cry about you, or maybe read and laugh about you, at our own leisure.
Maybe I can reflect on just a few and ask Hon Toenka Matila to write a book which should definitely be titled Show me the way to Bloemfontein. Hon Lewis Nzimande should write a book on "How to get married twice in one month without considering a divorce"! Hon Michael de Villiers can write a handbook on how to manage 10 motions in one sitting, while hon Willem Faber can pen his memoirs on "There is more to politics than just sport" or maybe "a sport" - I don't know.
Not entirely politically correct, maybe, but hon Papi Tau must publish a book called A chip off the old block, or maybe it is A Chip off John Block, I don't know. And the Chief Whip must undoubtedly write a psychology handbook on how to overcome a fear of Helen Zille.
I would ask the Chairperson to write an Afrikaans book Ek droom van 'n plaas met net my as baas [I dream of a farm with only myself as "baas"] while the Deputy Chairperson of this institution's book must simply be titled Mama of the House. Hon Kenneth Sinclair's book should be titled Getting the best out of all parties, and as for the commissioner sitting there, his biography should be titled From a general to a corporal in one short leap - I mean a "cope-peril" not a "corporal"! And of course hon Bloem must write a book on how to cope with two Copes within one Cope. [Laughter.]
In all sincerity, colleagues, I would like to reiterate what I said about our Chairperson last night and, once again, say thank you to him for his leadership. May he and other presiding officers enjoy a well-deserved rest.
We just hope that we will be able to see more of you next year because we have our work cut out for us, not only with regard to our duties as mandated by the Constitution, but also in building the image of the NCOP and establishing it in its rightful place as the upper House of Parliament, or, as I so often have said, as the national senate.
I have also said that our Chief Whip is one of the most difficult and unpredictable politicians to encounter. Although I enjoy political sword- crossing immensely, I must say here publicly that Nosipho Ntwanambi is a very good Chief Whip. Thank you for listening to suggestions, and particularly for always considering the interests of the members foremost.
I would also like to thank all the staff of the NCOP for all their friendly help and understanding at all times. While I cannot single out any one of them, I must also pay tribute to the Secretary of the NCOP, Adv Phindela. Thank you for guiding the administrative and operative ship of the Council, Mr Secretary, and congratulations once again on your official appointment.
I am sorry that I could not give you a review on all the books that you have to write, colleagues, but I can say that it has been a pleasure working and associating with all of you, be it from the ruling party or the opposition party or the best party. That one is important - the DA, if you didn't realise what I meant.
When we started this term, most of my DA colleagues were newcomers to the NCOP. But we have since bid farewell to two of our members and now we have two more newcomers to the NCOP. So, one old hand along with me is hon Darryl Worth. Therefore, in welcoming the two new kids on the block, hon Theo Beyleveldt and hon Beverley Abrahams, to our DA team, I must once again say that my whole team has been a great one and has done a fantastic job. I thank you all.
May the Almighty Father hold and guide all of you always, and may that beautiful message of Christmas, a message of goodwill among all mankind, find its way into your hearts and all your homes.
And now, on a point of order, Chairperson: I thank you! [Applause.]
Thank you very much, hon Watson, I'll definitely write the book.
Deputy Chairperson, you see, Mr Watson, there's only one Cope and I am coping within that Cope.
Deputy Chairperson, thank you very much. This House is one House that is unique in the politics of South Africa. It brings together all three spheres of government - national, provincial and local governments - under one roof.
This House created a very important opportunity for me personally to meet and interact with people whom I had never met before. I want to single out some of the people that I worked with over the past year, namely the chairperson of the committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta, AK-47 or Mr Mokgobi; then Mr Matila, whose name is Hit-and- Run; and Mr Watson, or Rough-and-Tumble. I've worked with these people and they are very good.
Let me not forget to mention my old comrade friend, also from the Free State, the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development, Mr T Mofokeng, one of the Terrible Twins of Bloemfontein. I have known this comrade for a very long time.
I must confess that since I've met and worked with these colleagues, I have learned a lot from them. I can say without any doubt that in these committees, Cogta and the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development, we are working as a solid unit. I must tell the Chairperson and the House that these two committees have very good leadership and I want to wish them luck.
Since the House is rising today, we are going to go our different ways. It is therefore time to say farewell to one another. I see that my time has run out, but I also want to thank the Chairperson of the Council, Mr Mahlangu, for his humour and help. He is always there to assist, help and give guidance.
To Mama here, I know that yesterday I was called to order but you'll always stay a Mama to me. You are also very, very good and strict but are there to help us.
To everybody in the House, may I say happy Christmas and a very good new year.
Lastly, Mr Nzimande is getting married next month. And I am promising you that I will be there, singing ...
... tswang, tswang, tswang, le boneng, ngwana o tshwana le Lekhalate. [Setswana traditional song.]
Thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, hon members, colleagues and all staff members, William Shakespeare once wrote:
Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.
It has been a long and tiring year. I hope those who came to Parliament thinking that it was always parties and endless dinners are now aware that all those niceties come with a lot of hard work.
When we look at the bigger picture, colleagues and friends, it is encouraging that we managed to tolerate and co-operate with one another for the good of the country and for a better life for all, irrespective of our colour, political affiliation or religion.
Ba re ntwa ke ya madulammoho. Sena se bolela hore re a lwana re le mekgatlo ya dipolotiki empa qetellong re bana ba thari e le nngwe, Afrika Borwa. (Translation of Sesotho paragraph follows.)
[They say fighting happens among people who live together. This means that even though we compete as political parties, at the end of the day we belong to one country, South Africa.]
We have had our differences but we did not let that deter us from our common objective, which is prosperity for the country. We might have been offended in whatever way as individuals or you might have been a thorn in the flesh of someone in the House, so this is the time to say let bygones be bygones, for it is the season of goodwill.
In the language of science they say, "Where there is friction, there is progress." For any one of us to be able to take a step forward it is because of the friction between your feet and the surface.
Let us go back home to rest and have a jolly time with our loved ones. But let us go back to our depository of ideologies and wisdom so that we come back with our minds sharpened and ready to carve a better future for the country we've been entrusted with.
Wees versigtig op die paaie gedurende die vakansie. Ek weet dat baie lede jaagduiwels is! Onthou dat die agteros ook in die kraal kom. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Be careful on the roads during the holidays. I know that many members are speedsters! Remember that it's better to arrive late than never. [Applause.]]
Hon Deputy Chair, hon Chair, and hon members, indeed, let me start by saying that this was a good year.
The NCOP has once again proved that Taking Parliament to the People is of utmost importance in serving our people in order to show that this government cares for them. I would like to mention the example - as I said in Qwaqwa - of the hon Premier of the Free State, Ace Magashule, who assisted local artists to record his second CD, which proves that he cares for his people.
Let me just quote what Martin Luther King once said:
Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve... You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela quoted in his inauguration speech in 1994:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
Let me conclude with the greatest man who ever walked in this earth, known by the name of Jesus. He said in Matthew 7:12:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets. In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to say these few words to all members of this House, their families and the staff: Have a blessed, peaceful and wonderful Christmas and may God bless them and every one of you this festive season.
I also wish to thank every one of you for your assistance, especially the staff and Advocate Phindela, the Secretary. Have a prosperous 2011 and may God bless you. [Applause.]
UMntwana M M M ZULU: Phini likaSihlalo wale Ndlu, uSihlalo wale Ndlu kanye nozakwethu bonke, kulo nyaka esiwugoqayo namhlanje sisebenze kahle noma-ke kube khona izimpikiswano. Kodwa-ke izimpikiswano akumele zibe khona kule Ndlu ngoba simele izinhlaka zezifundazwe zakithi. Kufuneka sibheke ukuthi uhulumeni usebenza kanjani noma angasizwa kanjani kuwo wonke amaziko.
Ukukhula komqondo wethu ukuthi noma sisebenza njengomndeni emakomidini ethu, kuyaye kube khona lapho kuba sengathi sisebenza njengamaqembu ezombusazwe kanti iqiniso elibabayo lithi akufanele kube njalo. Kumele sisebenzele izidingo zabantu bakithi bonke ababecindezelwe.
Kubaba uMahlangu ngithi utshengise lobo buholi kimi, njengomfana osemncane, osuka esifundazweni sakwaZulu ozalwa nguMaqhawe. Nokho salwa thina ukuba uhole le Ndlu ngobuqotho ubambisene nephini lakho, uSotswebhu Omkhulu wale Ndlu, benisebenza ukuze nitshengise ukuthi indlela iqhutshwa kanjani.
Ngiyazi ukuthi alikho isoka elingenasici ngoba wonke umuntu uba nesici sakhe empilweni angahle agxekwe ngaso. Ukugxekwa kufanele nikuvumele uma benigxeka, kanjalo nami nginigxeke uma kukhona lapho ninamaphutha khona. Kunobhala wale Ndlu, mnawami usebenze ngokwethembeka noma ubumncane ngoba ngangithi ufakiwe uma ngikhuluma nawe nabasebenzi bakho bonke. Kulokho kufakwa kwakho utshengisile ukuthi akukho lapho obutshengisa khona ukwenzelela ngokusobala noma kuphi. Kufanele nibambisane njengezakhamizi zaleli lizwe, nisebenze ngokwethembeka.
Nokuthathwa kwePhalamende lisiwa kubantu ngakolunye uhlangothi ngiye ngikubuke njengokumosa izimali zezifundazwe, kodwa kule Ndlu yilapho ngibone kahle ukuthi kufike kubonakala kahle ukuthi yini entulwa ngabantu bakithi. Kubuyiswe bonke labo Ngqongqoshe, nezikhulu zizokusho ukuthi yini ezingayenza ukusiza laba bantu.
Ngithi uNkulunkulu anibusise nomqalajuba liyabaleka iwombe kithi wasoShangane, ingcungcu ephuza kwezimbi iziziba. Sengathi inganibheka nawo wonke amakhosi esizwe abaPedi, amaXhosa, abeSotho kanye namaSwati, ukuba nikwazi ukusebenza kahle nibuye futhi nisaphelele ngonyaka ozayo. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu speech follows.)
[Prince M M M ZULU: Deputy Chairperson of this House, Chairperson of this House and all our colleagues, we worked well in this current year that we are finalising, even though there were some arguments. But then arguments should not take place in this House because we are all representing certain structures in our provinces. We must see how the government operates, or how the government could be assisted in all the departments.
Our development of our thinking is that we work as a family when we are in the committees. There are instances when we work as political parties, whereas the bitter truth is that this should not be the case. We must work for the needs of all the people who were oppressed.
Mr Mahlangu, you showed leadership to me as a young man, who comes from the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the son of Maqhawe. Nevertheless, we fought in order for you to lead this House with honesty together with your deputy, the Chief Whip of this House, who led by example.
I know that no one is perfect because every person has some shortcomings which he or she is criticised for in life. You must accept criticism, and you must also criticise me where I have made mistakes. To the Secretary: My colleague, you have worked with loyalty although you are young. I thought you were deployed here together with all your workers. In your deployment you showed no bias whatsoever. We must work together as the citizens of this country, and work with loyalty.
On the other hand, I view the Taking Parliament to the People programme as a waste of the provinces' money, but in this House I clearly see what is needed by our people. Bring all the Ministers and the officials to tell us what they could do to help these people.
May God bless you. Nomqalajuba liyabaleka ihobhe kithi kwaSoshangane, ingcungcu ephuza kwezimbi iziziba. [Praise song.] May the Lord keep you and all the kings of these nations, namely the Pedi, Xhosa, Sotho as well as the Swazis, so that you are able to work well and still be available next year. Thank you.]
Deputy Chair, let me first thank the Chairperson of the Council, without whom all of us here wouldn't be able to work. He tried every possible means to make sure that as Members of Parliament and as parties we all agreed. Sometimes I disagreed with Mr Watson, he would plead with me saying, "Leave that". You know how difficult I am, Mr Watson, as you yourself have said.
Deputy Chair, today marks the last day of session of our Council in the second year of our fourth democratic Parliament. We are aware that this year was a very momentous one; it was one of the busiest for our hon members and select committees. It was also a year in which we have seen the expansion of our select committees from 11 to 13 since the third democratic Parliament.
We have also seen the involvement of our hon members in various statutory bodies and commissions, as well as continental and global institutions and structures. We are indeed proud and we would like to sincerely thank our hon members for doing their work in great strides and for showing their commitment to advancing the lives of our people. But I must also say that I have noted those who really do not attend to parliamentary work. I know who they are and maybe very soon we will name and shame them.
This year we had more motions passed than in any other year of the Council, more committee meetings were held and we undertook a very successful Provincial Week and two Taking Parliament to the People programmes.
We have seen many Bills being passed by the NCOP. More questions were asked and we witnessed our select committees taking on issues that affect the daily lives of our people - a true indication of the dedication and hard work of our hon members.
We are indeed humbled by the fact that many of our hon members are heeding our call to build an activist Parliament that proactively responds to the challenges facing our people. As the NCOP, we have taken the call to build an activist Parliament very seriously. We say this because we are aware that the NCOP has specific functions with regard to building a better South Africa. Our work must give voice to the perspectives of the country's nine provinces and provide a platform for local government to participate in legislative deliberations. This provides Parliament with a mechanism to ensure that a centralised, national government perspective does not dominate the development of legislation that needs to serve the diverse needs of the country as a whole.
As the Whippery, we hosted a very successful workshop where the leadership of the NCOP and provinces convened to look at better ways of enhancing our collective responsibility in the implementation of the mandate of the NCOP.
I also want to say that I am humbled by the support, co-operation and understanding of all political parties. It is not easy to work with Mr Watson, but I must also say I won his heart and I know very well that his wife should be careful lest I overtake her! [Laughter.]
The most important role of the NCOP in the evolution of our young nation is reflected in the advances that our Council is making in the deepening of our democratic systems and ensuring that more people, especially those in our provinces, become involved in our parliamentary processes. Our committees have visited various communities and conducted oversight over many issues that are imperative to our commitment to ensure a better life for our people.
We are also grateful for the participation of the various political parties in putting the needs of our people first and making sure that we continue to work together despite some of the political differences that we have.
Our Council hosted delegations and dignitaries from many parts of the world, who are drawn by its uniqueness. We recently hosted a delegation from Namibia, which came to learn about the unique way in which the NCOP carries out its mandate. We were humbled by the feedback that they gave us on their last day.
Chairperson, I know that while we have come to the last sitting day of the Council for the year, many of our hon members, as the servants of our people, will be hard at work in their constituencies. Your outstanding work and dedication demonstrate your courage to work tirelessly for our people, who have been ravaged by centuries of apartheid underdevelopment and systemic exclusion.
The week marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against gender- based violence and, of course, violence towards girl-children in particular. We must all join the various activities organised in our communities, make a call on our communities to speak out and stand up and commit them and ourselves to preventing violence against women and children in our communities. We must encourage themselves not to look away but to act and speak out against violence and abuse of women and children.
As we continue to communicate the message of hope to our people, we must take the opportunity to rest, recuperate and re-energise our rigour and determination to be the servants of our people.
Allow me to pass on our profound appreciation to our staff members for their tireless efforts to support us in their work. But I will be failing and dishonest if I don't specifically thank the two ladies and the gentleman who work with me directly in my office.
As we depart from the precincts of Parliament and drive to our various destinations, let us be safe and continue to preach the gospel of safety on our roads. As the Irish blessing and farewell toast says:
May the road rise up to meet you ... May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a year full of successes. I thank you, Chair. [Applause.]
Thank you very much. May I make one announcement? Could all the hon members make themselves available for a photograph just outside here?