Hon Speaker, on behalf of the ANC, I wish to state that our Auditor-General, Mr Nombembe, assumed office on 1 December 2006. The bulk of his term has been focused on driving awareness of and commitment to managing state finances in a responsible, mature and transparent manner for the benefit of all South Africans. All the interrelations and guidance on a broad range of leadership across all three spheres of government have been geared towards this goal.
These efforts have also made an indelible imprint on the minds of citizens, the Auditor-General of South Africa and auditors-general globally, colleagues and the continent in particular, which he continues to lead with dignity and distinction. As a result, South Africa has enjoyed clear recognition and acceptance by all auditors-general across the world, as evidenced by his election as the President of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions, Intosai. Furthermore, this has been echoed by his successful hosting of the Intosai conference in 2010 in Durban. This has indeed crystallised in that under his tenure he has been able to map the institution as one of the best Supreme Audit Institutions worldwide.
Furthermore, under his leadership the institution has been able to increase the scope of audit by introducing a performance audit and the establishment of the special investigation division, which shows his commitment to ensuring discipline and prudence in the use of public resources in order to ensure a better life for all South Africans.
Given the challenges that the institution has been experiencing in collecting audit fees from auditees under his leadership, the institution has managed persistently to accumulate a surplus over a number of years. In line with these achievements, he has considered development and staff retention and, in the main, he has ensured that transformation takes place in the institution. I thank you, hon Speaker. [Time expired.] [Applause.]