Hon Chair, I think it is quite important that we get our ducks in a row. We must know that the Minister of Higher Education and Training does not make decisions on the basis of what appears in newspapers. Every time there are allegations in the newspapers they only serve to bring to his attention whatever is being said by the newspapers. But then he has to do an investigation and make a decision on the basis of that investigation and recommendations. He thus makes an informed decision. So, for Cope to sit there and make allegations that he is not acting here and he is not acting there ... I think they are beginning to reflect something that we have always suspected: echoing their master's voice. [Interjections.]
I wish to say that the ANC supports the Vote. In support of that, I would like to point out that the ANC will always work to promote the objective of our national democratic revolution, which is to unite all South Africans behind a vision of a united, nonracial, nonsexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
President Nelson Mandela once pointed out that massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times that they have to rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social ills. The ANC needs to use this budget to quantify the costs and implement measures to eradicate these social ills.
Fellow South Africans, if truth be told, we cannot boldly tackle the current challenges of our education system without interrogating the painful past. The question today is whether the ANC-led government has achieved a single, united and diversified education and training system in which all people enjoy equal opportunities. The ANC supports the Vote. [Time expired.]
Division demanded.
The Council divided:
AYES - 28: Adams, F; Boroto, MG; Chaane, TE; de Beer, CJ; Dikgale, MC; Gamede, DD; Jacobs, MP; Mabe, BP; Mabija, L; Magadla, NW; Makhunyane, T; Mashile, BL; Matila, AG; Mazosiwe, S; Mncube, BV; Mnguni, BA; Mofokeng, TMH; Mokgoro, GG; Montsitsi, SD; Nesi, B; Ntwanambi, ND; Nyambi, AJ; Nzimande, LPM; Qikani, AND; Rantho, DZ; Rasmeni, RN; Sibande, MP; Tau, RJ.
NOES - 16: Abrahams, BL; Bekker, JM; Bloem, DV; de Villiers, MJR; Faber, WF; Feldman, DB; Groenewald, HB; Gunda, JJ; Joseph, D; Lees, RA; Manzini, VK; Makhubela, MW; Mlenzana, Z ; Sinclair, KA ; Van Lingen, EC; Worth, DA.
Vote accordingly agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Congress of the People and Independent Democrats dissenting).
Vote No 18 - Labour - put:
Declarations of vote: