Please be seated. Please allow me to thank the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, the President- elect, hon members, ladies and gentlemen. I am honoured by the nomination and the election to be Speaker of the National Assembly, the second Chamber of the Parliament of South Africa. I understand fully the struggle to move South Africa forward, to recognise all her people, to recognise all languages, all cultures and traditions of South Africa.
As elected representatives, we are both the products and custodians of the values enshrined in our Constitution. These values set the tone for how we conduct ourselves and how we manage the affairs of our people for the common good. I understand the continuing battle for dignity and respect for the majority of South Africans; I understand the differences and diversity of citizens and others who reside within our borders.
I also understand the responsibilities of public representatives, I further understand the responsibility of Parliament as a site for debate for public education and as a defender of all law, rights and liberties. I understand the role of the Presiding Officers as enablers of debate and protectors of the rights of the public and the public representatives to hold the executive to account, and capacitate themselves as public representatives in this House, to adequately use power of the purse strings to hold and continue holding the executive into account.
I together with the other Presiding Officers must at all times be fair and unbiased. The decorum of the House and the image of Parliament must be maintained. Hon members, we do not represent ourselves, we represent the people of our country. So, at the start of this term, let us represent those who sent us to Parliament well; let us respect those who are asking us and entrusting us with the running of our country; let us respect the tiniest of the voice of those who got elected into this House.
In other words, it doesn't matter how angry you might be or how different the views of other member must be, all the members in this House represent a constituency out there, and before we get into the throat of a particular member, we must remember that the member was voted for by thousands of people to come and represent their voices and interests in this House. [Applause.]
I also wanted to say that I have learnt a lot working with the former Speaker, Ms Mbete and the House Chairpersons. I hope that the tradition of consulting, of ensuring that the business of Parliament is shared accordingly will continue and I hope that we will continue to run this Parliament of South Africa in a very dignified manner. I want to thank you once more for the trust you have placed in me. Thank you. [Applause.]