Deputy Speaker, His Excellency President Ramaphosa, my leader Dr M G Buthelezi, Members of Parliament, fellow South Africans, allow me to say we are not alone when I say that I share your vision for your country. Your very briefing summed up the true nature of the South African dilemma
that we face today as a nation in your state of the nation address.
It is common knowledge that we are the people in a horrible and trouble past that are now task by history to build a new nation together based on a new set of values. So, I was very pleased to hear nation building listed as one of your seven priorities. But nation building, Mr President, requires hard work and dedication. It doesn't materialise overnight.
The IFP have long held that we remain constructive opposition and some parties. I will say to you and to fellow South Africans today is meant to constructive manner to ensure that all South Africans needs are addressed, practical with those who find themselves in the majority of our vast land and pastures in our rural communities. Mr President, in your entire 6 732 words speech, you made mention the word rural three times. It is alarming that we dream of a future city. Yes, rapid urbanisation is considered. We should try as a nation to focus more than three times on rural communities and their daily realities for
rural and urban areas are not but two sides of the same coins. One is not possible without the other.
The harsh realities, Mr President, faced by our rural communities today is a shame as they do not feel the differences of 25 years into our democratic dispensation. School learners are not able to attend classes and they cannot cross bridges which have collapsed over rivers. Elderly cannot barely be comforted in opening tap with running water or find a quality flushing toilets. Mud schools and houses which are unsafe still provide shelters to most people living in the rural communities.
We must ensure Mr President that the rural and not just urban communities are priorities too as they have never been in a successful urban strategy without taking compensate rural development into account.
It is important Mr President that we through on experiences of other nations to better stir balances between rural and urban parties of their countries such as Kenya and other countries who have implemented very successful co-operatives to ensure that
the rural residence play an active role in their economy. The majority of our rural residence deserves this, Mr President. They too deserve fully to form part of the collective dreams and hopes of our future. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]