Mr Speaker, South Africa is now in the grip of a strike that has gone on for 15 days. The issue here is not only money and benefits, but also very much South Africa becoming the predatory state that it has now degenerated into. Educators, health workers and others have witnessed conspicuous consumption, profligate expenditure and lavish lifestyles in the upper echelons of the government inside this predatory state. This is not without reason. They are unwilling to settle for adjustments that, by contrast, are insignificant. If the envelope is broken, it should be broken for everybody.
The very ANC which undertook to flatten the remuneration gap has made it blatantly steeper. Self-enrichment of the political elite, their families and their offspring has gone beyond the tolerance limit. There is an open revolt now, not least within the structures that were key to electing this government. The strike is therefore being dragged out because political, ethical and economic issues have all been scrambled.
The education of our children is now thrown into total jeopardy. They may have had the least amount of schooling in any year at any time. The matric exams are now distinctly in danger of not being written.
This government is bringing the country to the brink of chaos. The conduct of the President himself is also pushing the envelope too far. Even though he has numerous wives ... [Interjections.] [Laughter.] [Time expired.]