Hon Chairperson, it is well recorded that the hon Minister of Finance feels very unhappy about the downgrading of South Africa by commentators and ratings agencies. I want to say to the hon Minister that he reminds me of a mother who attended the passing-out parade of soldiers. When the soldiers marched in front of the public, her son was the only one out of step, but she proudly turned around to the other mothers and said, "Look, my son is the only one who is in step."
Hon Minister, whether you like it or not I can understand that you feel like a mother when it comes to the economy of South Africa, but if you are out of step on certain matters, you must, at some stage, recognise the realities of South Africa.
Agb Voorsitter, as 'n mens na die internasionale televisie gaan kyk, wat moet graderingsagentskappe dink as hulle sien hoe mense met pangas en spiese in hul hande staak? Hoe kan 'n mens hierdie graderingsagentskappe kwalik neem as hulle op die internasionale media kan sien hoe fabrieke se kratte aan die brand gesteek word en hoe daar deur die werkers in Suid- Afrika geplunder word? Wat kan 'n mens verwag as daar internasionaal gesien word dat die polisie moet ingryp, insake werkers wat buitengewone ho eise aan lone stel, om wet en orde te handhaaf? Dink u regtig dat - as ons in terme van die produktiwiteit in Suid-Afrika en die eise van daardie lone moet gaan kyk - graderingsagentskappe vir die wreld moet s, "Kom bel in Suid-Afrika want dit is veilig."? (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Hon Chairperson, upon watching international television, what must the rating agencies be thinking when they see how people with pangas and spears in hand are striking? How can one blame these rating agencies when they are watching the international media and can see crates at factories being set alight and plundering taking place by the workers in South Africa? What can one expect when it can be seen internationally how the police have to intervene, regarding workers who are demanding exceptionally high wages, in order to maintain law and order? Do you really think - if we are to regard those wage demands in terms of productivity in South Africa - that rating agencies should be telling the world, "Come and invest in South Africa, because it is safe."?]
This is not necessary to downgrading South Africa.
The biggest threat in any crisis is when the responsible Minister is in a state of denial with regard to the facts. I want to ask you to reconsider and to look at that matter.
Aan die ander, positiewe, kant verwelkom die VF Plus die beperkinge wat die agb Minister in terme van die mediumtermynbegroting aangekondig het. Maar ek wil ook vir hom s dat dit net suksesvol gaan wees as hy bevoegde amptenare in daardie posisies aanstel om toe te sien dat die belastingbetaler se geld effektief en produktief aangewend word tot voordeel van al die belastingbetalers en mense in Suid-Afrika, en nie net vir sommige kaders wat hul eie sakke, deur korrupsie, daarmee volmaak nie. Dan gaan hy nie slaag nie. [Tyd verstreke.] [Tussenwerpsels.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[On the other, positive, side the FF Plus welcomes the restrictions announced by the Minister in terms of the medium term budget. But I also want to tell him that these will only succeed if he appoints competent officials in those positions to see to it that the taxpayer's money is appropriated effectively and productively for the benefit of all taxpayers and the people of South Africa, and not just for some cadres to line their own pockets with through corruption. Then he won't succeed. [Time expired.].[Interjections.]]