Chairperson, if South Africa is to rid itself entirely of the injustices of the past, if it is to finally deal with redress and reconciliation, if it is to achieve 5 million new jobs by 2020, if it is to deal with the backlog of bulk infrastructure, if it is to achieve a constant annual matric pass rate of more than 80% with substantial numbers of maths and science passes, and if it is to reduce carbon emissions, thus contributing to a stable climate, then it will do so only by riding on the shoulders of the young.
I believe in this country. I love South Africa. I am optimistic about its future and I feel privileged to be part of this institution, Parliament, which represents all of our people. I wake up every day asking myself how I can use my constitutional role as a legislator to bring about positive change, to hold the executive to account and to change the incumbent government, for which I make no apologies.
Like so many other young legislators in this House, I am confident about who I am, what my history is and where I am going. I am aware that an oppressive past system of governance in this country gave me opportunities and privileges that were not afforded to most people my age, but I am not beholden to guilt. I make no apologies for my race, my sexuality, my accent, and my schooling. In the words of one of the music icons of my generation, Lady Gaga, "I was born this way, baby." [Laughter.]
But I am thoughtful about our collective future, young and old. If I have experience and talents that were afforded to me by birth, then I want to share those with others and I am devoted to creating our future together - a future that maximises our individual freedoms, that gives those born into disadvantage the means and opportunities to thrive, so that all South Africans can be prosperous, healthy and free.
Young legislators are on the march. We are Generation X. We range in age from the early 30s to the early 40s. Psychologists have this to say about