Hon members, you will realise that the Speaker normally doesn't speak in the House. This is one of those rare occasions on which he would like to make use of the opportunity while it lasts, so bear with me! [Laughter.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, as the year draws to a close, it is once again time for us to review progress made thus far and bid a fond farewell to members as they go back home. This has indeed been an eventful year, a long year and, I dare say, an exhausting year.
This Fourth Session of the Fourth Parliament has been engaging and interesting, and has produced its own moments of drama and excitement. The debates are certainly becoming more captivating, and perhaps dramatic in some instances. The number of points of order put by members in the House and the rulings that presiding officers have had to make are indications of a vibrant and growing democracy. The robust and engaging debates in the House bear testimony to the seriousness with which members carry out their representative role. As public representatives, let us continue to ensure that we fully represent the needs of our people and that their hopes and aspirations are realised.
I am encouraged by the number of debates on matters of importance that have been scheduled lately, although I do think it is important that we facilitate regular debates of this nature.
Hon members, as you know, we have also embarked on a review of the Rules. This is a necessary process to ensure that our Rules are aligned with our constitutional requirements. The Rules must facilitate the smooth functioning of the House and assist us to deliver on our legislative and oversight functions. The Subcommittee on Review of the National Assembly Rules has started with this process. However, we need to ensure that the work is completed sooner rather than later, considering the gaps that have been exposed over time, but especially most recently.
We will deploy more resources to assist with the technical work of the subcommittee to ensure that the work continues in earnest. As we have agreed in our NA Rules Committee, we also need to engage former Members of Parliament to assist, as they have the necessary experience, knowledge and expertise, and will certainly benefit this process. We have identified former members and we have already started with some of them. The former members identified thus far include Mr Mike Ellis, Dr Pallo Jordan, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, Mr Mosibudi Mangena and Ms Sybil Seaton.
Hon members, 2012 was also the year in which London hosted the most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are very pleased to have hosted both South African teams at Parliament and to have had the opportunity to congratulate them on behalf of our people. In fact, Parliament held three special joint sittings this year. The first was on the occasion of the President's receiving the National Development Plan, the second was to congratulate the South African Olympic Team, and the third was to congratulate our Paralympic Team.
Yesterday members of the National Assembly were briefed by the Minister and the Statistician-General - the man in the yellow suit! - on the results of Census 2011. The census results are quite important for our planning as Parliament and, more importantly, as committees for the conduct of their oversight work.
With respect to legislation passed, 34 Bills were passed by the House, which is four more than the last session. There was great interest from the public in the Bills before Parliament, which in some instances was expressed in the form of demonstrations and marches to Parliament. This signifies the level of public interest and involvement in the work of Parliament and the vibrancy of our democracy.
In keeping with the objectives of our strategic plan, Parliament's focus on international relations began in March with the incoming visit of the vice- president of the standing committee of the national people's congress of the People's Republic of China, Mr Huan Jan-min, who met with the Deputy Speaker. In April a delegation of the Parliamentary Oversight Authority visited the European Parliament in Brussels with the aim of forging stronger links between our respective parliaments and, more importantly, learning from their years of experience about how they conduct oversight. It was a fruitful study visit and what we have learnt will inform our activities in our Parliament.
In May the visiting president of India, Mrs Pratibha Patil, and her delegation paid a visit to Parliament and met with both Mr Mahlangu and me. As you know, Mrs Patil's term of office came to an end quite soon thereafter. Her visit paved the way for a visit to India in July by both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. The primary focus of this visit was to strengthen parliament-to-parliament relations and co-operation, with a view to identifying specific areas of focus for co- operation.
In August the speaker of the House of Commons in the UK, Mr John Bercow, visited our Parliament and was followed in the same month by the deputy speaker of the Palestine legislative council. In September the speaker of the house of representatives of the Japanese national legislature visited Parliament. He was followed by a delegation from legislatures of India who paid a goodwill visit to the presiding officers. On 6 November the president of Namibia, Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba, addressed a plenary sitting of the National Assembly.
These interactions with other parliaments and countries are necessary as a component of expanding the role of Parliament in the bilateral and multilateral forums.
It is with sadness that we remember the untimely passing of serving members Sicelo Shiceka, Ntombizodwa Florence Nyanda and Mandlenkosi Enoch Mbili, who all passed away this year.
In May this year we announced the appointment of Prof Jahed to assist with the establishment of a parliamentary budget office. I'm pleased to report that a proposed model has been developed and approved by the political task team and the process of political consultation is at an advanced stage.
In August this year the Auditor-General once again gave Parliament an unqualified opinion for our 2011-12 annual report. Thank you, Secretary! Although there were specific matters of noncompliance, which received the attention of the Secretary to Parliament, we can be pleased with the unqualified opinion received.
This year has also been one of transition for the administration of Parliament. Mr Michael Coetzee took over the reins as Secretary to Parliament, and we wish him well on his new appointment. [Applause.] As you will all know by now, following the judgment of the Constitutional Court individual members will now be allowed to introduce legislation in the National Assembly without the permission of the House. As a consequence we have decided that Parliament needs its own legislative drafting capacity beefed up and therefore we are in the process of recruiting seven additional legislative drafters. I would like to assure the House that we will endeavour to respond to any further challenges as they arise.
Hon members, recently Parliament launched an initiative to develop a public participation framework, which is aimed at making public participation an integral part of our legislative and oversight processes. The objective is to ensure that adequate avenues are provided for the people to participate in the business of Parliament and that the public inputs are integrated in the parliamentary programme processes. I hope that by now you will have found in your pigeonholes copies of the questionnaire which you must take home with you. I urge you all to become champions of this campaign by engaging with constituents to seek their contribution to this important initiative.
The presiding officers have also decided to extend and standardise the speaking time for smaller parties in parliamentary debates from the current one minute to three minutes. This action benefits the FF Plus, the ID, the UDM, the ACDP, the UCDP, the APC, Azapo, the MF and the PAC. We anticipate that debates will now be longer to accommodate the longer speaking times, but I'm sure you will all be happy to stay in the House until well into the evening!
Other members who died while serving are the hon Matladi and hon Roy Padayachie.
On a happier note, let me wish you all the very best in the coming festive season. We would like to thank the staff, the Table staff and all those who have made our work that much better. I would like to say: go well, be safe and enjoy the break - it is well deserved. I thank you. [Applause.]