Hon members, before we begin with the motions, allow me to express a word of congratulations to one of our members who, I am informed, is the new leader of the DA in the National Council of Provinces. Based on the outcome of elections held this morning, Mrs Van Lingen has been elected as the leader of the DA in the NCOP. [Applause.]
HON MEMBERS: Hoor, Hoor! [Hear, Hear!] [Interjections.]] Malibongwe! [Praise!] [Laughter.]
All right, all right. Mr Van Lingen, congratulations. [Interjections.] Oh, sorry, Mrs Van Lingen, congratulations, and I think we will have a very good working relationship, as we have always had with Mr Wattie Watson ... [Interjections.] ... who, I believe, will be leaving us in the near future. [Interjections.] I did not want to say that until he had left us. Anyway, he is still with us. Congratulations, and let us continue making the NCOP an institution at work and proceed with our work in an efficient and effective manner. Congratulations, once more.