Hon member, I just made a ruling on the matter. [Interjections.]
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: I want
to say to hon Worth that we are debating the 2012-13 Budget Vote. Yes, I have acknowledged that there was corruption and mismanagement in the department, and I came to this House last year and reported that I was investigating. I initiated an investigation. I reported that I have implemented the recommendations. People have been dismissed after disciplinary hearings. So, I don't know what the hon member is still wasting his breath about. [Interjections.] The department has improved. Go and listen to the Auditor-General. We are doing very well. [Interjections.] We have not overspent a cent in the 2012-13 financial year. [Applause.] We have employed people in the unfunded vacancies. In those that are funded, we have employed people. In those that are not funded, we cannot employ people. So, the hon member must assist us with a budget that is reasonable. Of course, the members - Cope, the DA and all of them - are calling for the disbandment of this department. They don't understand issues of gender. They actually don't care about gender. [Interjections.] You must go and ask your premier why she is only employing men as MECs. When is she going to recognise women in the Western Cape? They do not care about women's empowerment, so this department must go, because this department is pricking their conscience. [Interjections.]
People with disabilities have no education. I cannot educate people with disabilities in three years. We are talking about a legacy ...
... yootat'omkhulu bakho ... [... of your grandfathers ...]
... who are responsible for a lack of special schools, for a lack of inclusive education. It is only after the ANC government came to power that we implemented policies like inclusive education for our children. So, the hon member must help us.
The DA in the Western Cape has the highest number of people with disabilities, children who have no schools, who have no education. The Western Cape is the worst. Over and above that, the premier has closed the Office on the Status of Women, has closed the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons and the Office on the Status of Children, because the DA does not care about the vulnerable and the poor in our country. [Interjections.]
I want to close by saying that we want to thank hon members, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu for her contribution and support, the director- general, the staff, and members of the select committee and portfolio committee for providing support and diligent oversight to ensure that the rights and empowerment of women, children and people with disabilities are protected and promoted. I also want to say, hon members, particularly after hon Thandi Memela, that as signatories of the various international conventions and protocols, we will continue to ensure that South Africa secures outcomes that will promote and protect the rights of women, children and people with disabilities. We will also ensure, hon Memela, that we discharge our reporting obligations to the United Nations and other international instruments.
I would also like to express appreciation to international agencies, such as the UN Development Programme, UN Women, UN Children's Fund, the UN Population Fund, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids, UNAIDS, the British Department for International Development, DFID, and others who have supported this department in kind and financially. While improvements have been made in the department, our baseline budget remains an area of great concern, and we are in discussion with National Treasury to ensure that we improve capacity within the core areas of the department. We also need financial support for the National Council Against Gender-Based Violence. We thank DFID and the UN agencies for giving us $1 million to fight gender-based violence in South Africa. We trust that more will join their example in this area of need.
As I conclude, allow me once again to quote the immortal words of Charlotte Maxeke:
This work is not for yourselves. Kill the spirit of self. Do not live above your people, but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you.