Thank you, Speaker ...
Mr Speaker, on a point of order, sir: I don't know what the hon Deputy ...
You don't know; why don't you listen first? [Laughter.] Please take your seat. [Interjections.]
I have no doubt, the hon ...
Hon member Ellis, please take your seat.
... but the hon Pandor has covered it already, I can assure you. [Interjections.]
Please take your seat. Hon Minister, you have my protection.
Thank you, Speaker, for the protection. I want to thank hon member Selau for the statement on the North West women volunteers. Those women built 54 houses. This is part of Women's Build in terms of the Human Settlements department. We have both the Women's Build and the Youth Build. The approach is to empower women and youth as we build houses.
We have also said that 10% of our budget - now it's 30% of our budget - should go to women contractors. We applaud those women who went out there and built during Women's Month, August. In that spirit I also want to thank the MEC of the North West who worked hard to ensure that that programme is a success.
Speaker, also allow me to thank hon member Matshoba regarding his statement on the issue of Human Settlements and the Housing Development Agency. I just want to say that it is true that our establishment of the Housing Development Agency has assisted Human Settlements with regard to acquisition of well-located land. This helps us in building the gap housing which is the rental stock, as well as contractor-driven Breaking New Ground houses. But, at the same time, we promote the people's housing process to ensure that women build their own houses because we understand that if people build their own houses, there will be less sale of houses. I thank you.