Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and hon members, as we mark the centenary of the 1913 Natives Land Act, we also celebrate the lives of our iconic leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo.
The global community recognises our achievements, but some here, at times, need to be reminded to unite in building a bright future for our children. The ANC fully embraces the R9,5 billion allocated to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform which will help to bridge the unwanted rural and urban divide. The ANC welcomes 68% of the budget being allocated to restitution and land reform, and to also support the reopening of the processes to specifically look at the Khoi and San communities that missed the cut-off date as well as the settlement of 230 land claims and 208 backlog claims.
It is reassuring that Land Reform gets R3,4 million, mainly for scaling up the support to the emerging farmers through recapitalisation and development of acquisition and allocation of strategically located land; the provision of skills development and training support for emerging farmers, and most importantly, job creation in land reform projects. Minister Nkwinti and the Deputy Minister will play a very important role in this regard.
Also central is Rural Development that is allocated R1,2 million. We are proud that this programme will continue the comprehensive roll-out in the 23 poorest districts. Furthermore, Geospatial and Cadastral Services receives R508,5 million. The ANC, in Mangaung, made a progressive proposal to establish a Valuer-General office for fair and consistent land values in rating, pricing and taxing. We support such noble interventions to ensure vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities.
The ANC says that, in a developmental state, managing water is key as a critical strategic resource for the wellbeing of the people of South Africa. The ANC welcomes the R10,2 billion allocated to the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs. By investing in water, we are investing in a better life for all, as water is life.
It is only fitting that I end with a sector that is closest to my heart, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which gets R6,2 billion.
The 2030 National Development Plan, NDP, recognises agriculture as the driving force for better integration of the country's rural areas achieved through successful land reform, infrastructure development, job creation and poverty alleviation. We advocate greater focus on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Again, we plead to all to think of agriculture as a pillar of our economy. We ask all to support the R231,6 million for Trade Promotion and Market Access. We also challenge all who acknowledge agriculture as the cure to rural poverty, a sustainable solution to food production and security, to support the allocations. Landbouers sowel as plaaswerkers in Suid-Afrika is vir die ANC belangrik. Tog is dit 'n kwade dag as sake aan amptenare, soos in die Wes-Kaap, wat 'n lang verbintenis met die DA-regering van die provinsie het, oorgelaat word. Dit geld ook vir die georganiseerde landbousektor. In die afgelope vier jaar sedert ek hier is, het die DA nog nie een keer in die Nasionale Vergadering plaaswerkers ondersteun of 'n mosie in di verband hier gebring nie. [Tussenwerpsels.]
Landbou in Suid-Afrika se sukses - en hierna moet u luister - en vooruitgang is grootliks te danke aan die harde handearbeid en swoeg en sweet van getroue, goedkoop arbeid en die geleentheid wat die ANC-regering gebied het om markte oop te maak vir die landbouers in Suid-Afrika. Dit is tyd dat landbou sy eie vrot appels uitgooi en meer opbouend, samewerkend en innoverend met hierdie regering soek na oplossings vir uitdagings. Landbouers behoort meer betrokke te wees as mentors vir opkomende boere. Die waarheid praat! Die waarheid maak seer! [Tussenwerpsels.] Dit sal baie bydra tot beter verhoudings en wedersydse respek en waardigheid in die bedryf.
Aan die DA, en nou moet julle luister: Hou op om gereeld uit te basuin wat in die Wes-Kaap gebeur. Di wat so dikwels die Wes-Kaap as voorbeeld aanhaal laat my wonder of hulle terug verlang na die dae voor 1994. [Tussenwerpsels.] Of wil u miskien dalk 'n volkstaat ... (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Agriculturists as well as farm workers in South Africa are important to the ANC. Yet, it is a sad day when matters are left to officials who have a long association with the DA-government of the province, as in the case of the Western Cape. This also applies to the organised agricultural sector. In the past four years since I have been here, the DA has not once come out in support of farm workers in the National Assembly or tabled a motion in this regard. [Interjections.]
The success and prosperity of agriculture in South Africa - and you have to listen to this - is largely attributable to the hard manual labour, and the toil and sweat of reliable, cheap labour as well as the opening up of market opportunities to agriculturists in South Africa by the ANC-led government. It is time for those involved in agriculture to throw out its own rotten apples and engage constructively, co-operatively and innovatively with this government to find solutions to the challenges. Agriculturists are supposed to be more involved as mentors for emerging farmers. The truth speaks! The truth hurts! [Interjections.] It will largely contribute to better relationships, mutual respect and dignity in the industry.
To the DA, and now you have to listen: Stop blowing your own trumpet regularly about what is happening in the Western Cape. Those who so often use the Western Cape as a case in point make me wonder if they are not longing for the days prior to 1994. [Interjections.] Or perhaps you want a nation state ...] It is also interesting that the provincial government of the DA in the Western Cape, with the taxpayers' money, destabilises the industry by putting up false labourer forums, with failed DA candidates who could not get support from farm workers in the municipal elections. This is done to please many farmers in the DA who are also public representatives even in areas such as De Doorns and Worcester.
I also note that it is mostly the Western Cape, with some of the richest farmers in the country, that, in an organised way, rallied to apply for exemption from the new minimum wage. It is also strange that it is in the Western Cape, where farmers earn in excess of a hundred times more than the labourer, that they claim they cannot pay more.
They refuse to fairly share their massive profits with the very few people who help to earn it. What is wrong with the Western Cape? [Interjections.] Listen. It fires farm workers while jobs in the agricultural sector grew by more than 40 000 in the rest of the country.
The policies and programmes are in place; now it's time for implementation. In this regard, the portfolio committees will play an important role in the oversight function.
Hulle voel nog steeds skuldig. Hoor hoe raas hulle. [They are still feeling guilty. Listen to the noise they are making.]
In the appropriation committee, we will monitor the expenses, the underspending or overspending on a quarterly basis. The ANC supports the Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]