Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members, guests in the gallery and members of the society, allow me firstly and foremost to extend condolences to a school in Limpopo, A M Mashego secondary school in the Hlogotlou circuit for their loss of five learners, namely,
Rakgalakane Pearl, Mogoaneng Karabo, Monareng Lucy, Monareng Chantel and Motsweni Beauty.
May their souls rest in peace. These learners requested a lift and three kilometres later they met their ultimate death. We wish for their families to find strength and comfort during these trying times.
Back to the topic, hon Deputy Speaker, the African Union Agenda 2063 encompasses the transformation plan of the continent. It entails the comparative advantages of the continent which include its people, history, cultures, natural resources and its position and repositioning in the world in order to effect equitable and people-centred socioeconomic and technological transformation to eradicate poverty.
It seeks to develop Africa's human capital; build social assets, infrastructure and public goods; empower women and youth; promote lasting peace and security; and build effective developmental states as well as participatory and accountable institutions of governance.
With particular reference to economic development, the agenda envisages that Africa shall be a strong, united and influential global player. Agenda 2063 reaffirms that, I quote: "It must be an Africa that is at peace with itself in every corner. While Africa is making progress economically, there still exist pockets of conflict around the continent."
South Africa is part of the continent of Africa which is interconnected and interdependence part of the globalised community in various dimensions, key and central in contributing towards peace and stability.
For us to play a significant and meaningful role we must be able to strengthen the country's defence capabilities. Our portfolio committee, in many respects, agree with General Shoke when he asserted in 2019 - 20 Annual Performance Plan in which he reaffirmed our shared concerns with the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans when he said:
The South African National Defence Force remains in financial distress and underfunded with defence
capabilities that continue to decline as stated in the Defence Review 2015. If this underfunding is not addressed, it may have an adverse effect in the capabilities of the South African National Defence Force both in the medium and long-term, thus affecting national security of the country. This situation needs to be attended to as a matter of urgency.
To this end we will be neglecting our national duty if we don't agree with the Minister of Defence on the emphasis she made that we must address the decline of the Department of Defence.
Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address in 2014 said the following:
Our country will continue to support regional and continental processes to respond to and resolve crises, promote peace and security, strengthen regional integration, significantly increase intra-African trade and champion sustainable development. This will entail supporting and executing decisions of the AU as well.
This will be done with the understanding that a prosperous, integrated and united Africa based on good governance, democracy, social inclusion and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law are the necessary preconditions for a peaceful and conflict free continent.
The point we are arguing is that peace and stability are pre-conditions for the economic integration of Africa. The challenge facing our people both in South Africa and the rest of the African continent in the main is poverty, unemployment and inequality.
What therefore becomes imperative for us as Africans in general and South Africans in particular is the appreciation that in order for us to create a peaceful and stable environment, these challenges should be addressed in a comprehensive manner.
I know that in the country there is a narrow narrative that is being driven in the public discourse that seeks to destroy the security of the Republic by perpetuating the narrative that South Africa does not need the defence
force. Let me tell something, those who believe in that narrative have not vision for this country and the continent.
Deputy Speaker, the President was addressing the second Africa investment summit recently in order to solicit investment as an enabler for economic growth. Let me substantiate on that. South Africa has defence industry that has various capabilities that the country should invest in to ensure that the industry grow and create much needed jobs.
For the fact that is called a defence industry does not mean its capabilities are limited to the Department of Defence. Therefore we must use those capabilities to boost exports and ensure that we grow the economy.
In the same context we call upon the Minister to look at alternative funding models to salvage the industry and its capabilities. I thank you, hon Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]