Mr Speaker, at the outset, I would like to thank the Chief Whip of the Majority Party for the co-operation that exists in the Chief Whips' Forum. I think we both have a common aim of ensuring that there is smooth working of this House and, more importantly, the deepening of democracy as represented by this House.
I would also like to convey my party's congratulations to Mr Frolick and Ms Hajaig for their escalation to the high office. I hope we can give you our best co-operation, although I don't always guarantee it.
Most of us at this stage feel like school children waiting for that bell to ring so that we can go out and, perhaps, play in the fields and on the beaches out there. Unfortunately, for most of us with elections around the corner that bit of peace and quiet is going to be short-lived as we will all again be put back into the trenches to start working for the municipal elections next year. However, I hope that those of us who do get a chance to have a break enjoy that break and come back refreshed.
Before I get into the real thanks, I just want to reflect for a moment on the year that is passing. I want to pick up one particular event which I think was an epoch-making event. It was an event that I think really encapsulated the spirit of what this nation wants to be, and how others want to see us. That was the 2010 World Cup. That spirit was a wonderful spirit which was exhibited here in the House. There was unity in this House that I think I and most of us have never experienced before. The World Cup brought together South Africans with South Africans. It brought together South Africans with foreigners.
We paraded a country that spruced itself up, readied its infrastructure, and delivered a world-class event on time. It was a time when, as the President said, even the criminals went on holiday. There were no no-go areas. We saw a confident nation proud of its team, itself and what we had achieved. It was a nation that was beginning to bond and be at peace with itself.
The question that I want to ask before we go into recess is this: Are we still in that space? A few events took place just after that, which, I think, took us from those heights back to a painful reality. We had the Defence Force - as somebody quoted yesterday - essentially going on mutiny and rampage.
We had South Africa paralysed by a public service strike over an ostensible wage dispute. We had a debate about nationalisation emerging in certain quarters. This essentially frightened off a good deal of job-creating investment, which could have alleviated poverty.
We saw a drop in rankings of South Africa as far as the Human Development Index, the Global Competitive Index and the Freedom House's Freedom of the Press Index are concerned. Finally, we saw crime and no-go areas coming back. A painful reminder of this was - there are many reminders - the recent one of Anni Dewani in Gugulethu. What was so awful about Dewani's event was that it splashed South Africa back into the headlines throughout the world about a subject which, quite frankly, put us back to where we were prior to that wonderful event in July.
So, as we go into recess, I want to ask the members to reflect on how we can regain that status; how we can regain that period of peace and goodwill; and how we can regain those Houses' spirit. How do we recapture that spirit of goodwill that we once had, and how do we recapture becoming what we want to become and what others want to see us become? Yesterday's event in Cape Town was a wonderful exhibition of that event, that spirit reoccurring when people took to the streets of Cape Town on that walk. You saw that wonderful togetherness that existed. It is there, it is heightened and people want it. We, as leaders, must provide it.
Finally, let me say thanks and good wishes. I take this opportunity do so to, first of all, the DA staff in Parliament, research staff, media staff, staff in Whippery, my own assistant and my personal assistants. A particular thanks to my deputy, Mike Ellis, and all other Whips who helped me. Indeed, I thank all Whips of all parties who co-operated so well in the interest of Parliament.
Let me also thank the Speaker and the presiding officers, and all the staff of Parliament, from the most senior to the most junior, for doing their best to treat us with courtesy and consideration and for giving us their best. Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, presiding officers, all hon members and staff a happy and blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Thank you very much. [Applause.]