Agb Speaker, die VF Plus verwelkom die sensus n 2001, want ons besef die noodsaaklikheid daarvan. Een van die regeringsaksies wat ons tans opgewonde maak, is die beplanningskommissie van Minister Manuel, wat lyk of hy realisties na die toekoms kyk. Ons besef sonder werklike syfers en sensussyfers kan 'n mens nie 20 jaar vorentoe beplan nie.
Ons wil ook die Minister bedank. In die vorige rondte moes ons hof toe gaan om al die tale te kry. Ons verstaan al die tale gaan geakkommodeer word. Navorsing aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad toon dat net 44% van Suid- Afrikaners werklik Engels goed genoeg verstaan om op 'n sekere vlak te kommunikeer. Dit beteken die meerderheid moet verkieslik in hul eie taal hanteer word. Dit is moontlik in Suid-Afrika en ons hoop dit sal in ag geneem word.
Ek dink die Minister is bewus van die groot probleem wat misdaad veroorsaak het. Mense is regtig so wantrouig dat as jy my begin vra oor my yskas en my televisie en so meer, is ek nie seker of die doel is dat jy dit die volgende aand gaan kom "haal" en of dit ernstig is nie. Ek dink hierdie wantroue sal mens moet verdra.
Hulle s Jannie het vir sy pa gevra hoekom ons 'n sensus nodig het, of eintlik, hoekom die mense getel moet word. Sy pa het geantwoord dat hy dink daar is iemand weg. [Gelag.] Daar s mense weg en daar het nuwe mense bygekom, en ek dink ons moet die boodskap uitdra dat die sensus nodig is om Suid-Afrika 'n beter plek te maak. Kom ons hoop dis 'n goeie en professionele sensus. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Dr P W A MULDER: Hon Speaker, die FF Plus welcomes the census after 2001, because we realise why it is necessary. One of the actions of government that excites us right now is the National Planning Commission of Minister Manuel, who appears to be looking at the future realistically. We realise that without actual numbers and census statistics one cannot plan ahead for the next 20 years.
We would also like to thank the Minister. During the previous round we had to go to the court to include all the languages. We gather that all the languages will be included. Research at the University of Cape Town shows that only 44% of South Africans understand English well enough to be able to communicate at a certain level. This implies that the majority should preferably be addressed in their own language. This is possible in South Africa and we trust that it will be taken into account.
I think the Minister is aware of the huge problem caused by crime. People are really distrustful, to the extent that if you start questioning me about my fridge and my television and so on, I am not sure whether it is because you want to come and "fetch" it the next evening, or whether it is meant seriously. I think this distrust one will have to tolerate.
It is said that Jannie asked his dad why we need a census, or rather, why people should be counted. His father replied that he thought it was because someone had disappeared. [Laughter.] Indeed, there are people who have disappeared and new people have been added, and I think we should spread the message that the census is necessary to make South Africa a better place. Let's hope the census is conducted in a good and professional manner.]