Yes, it's been concretised, hon Hill-Lewis. [Applause.] That's right. Be sure about that!
People are working together. It's no longer "tiers". I know it says "spheres" in the Constitution, but people edited that for themselves. It is the spheres, the circles working together - no up-and-down situation!
It introduces many new structures in this regard, like the Interprovincial Co-ordination Committee on Co-operatives and, of course, the Provincial Interdepartmental and Municipal Co-ordinating Structure. This is no longer a Cinderella sphere! [Interjections.] This is an important sphere.
Now, with this there are many issues that have to be ensured, but one of the things I thought we should just mention - and I am so conscious of my time - ... [Laughter.] ... is what else the Bill does. The Bill actually also endeavours to grow all forms and types of co-operatives and the co- operative movement, as well as to increase their contribution to the country's GDP, as I have said.
We want to promote co-operatives as a vehicle that can assist in creating decent employment - decent! - and reducing poverty through income- generating activities.
We want to raise the profile of co-operatives! [Interjections.] They are not spaza shops! [Interjections.] [Applause.] I heard someone ask me whether they are spaza shops. They are not spaza shops! All right? They are co-operatives! And among co-operatives, as the Minister said, you get small co-operatives, you get medium-sized ones and you get gigantic ones! [Interjections.] It's good to know I've got my crowd with me! [Laughter.] [Interjections.] [Applause.] We want to raise their profile. They must be dynamic business entities. [Interjections.]
We also want to aggressively promote co-operatives. It is on this point that we asked ourselves: Where can we get an effective picture of co- operatives working in Africa? So the committee went to Kenya. Believe you me, not only did they learn more about co-operatives, but within their multiparty team they developed co-operative relations! [Laughter.] [Applause.]
Now, the role of the state should be to provide, as it does, an enabling environment. That is the role of our developmental state! [Interjections.]
HON MEMBERS: Hear, hear!