There are certain Van Niekerks on whose farm one was well advised never to eat meat! [Laughter.] There were good ones too. One could always eat meat on the Du Toits' farm! [Laughter.]]
The point is this: Colonialism and modern industrial society destroyed that traditional decency of working with food. We now sit with our current situation. I think the word that must go out is that the success of this depends on the people. That is where hon members were quite correct. There are laws against murder and theft, but people have been stealing and murdering one another all the time. A law does not right a wrong immediately, or by itself. The success of the law will be in the way people accept and develop these practices and devil a decent society. In the end, that is one's best guarantee against a problem like unsafe food.
I believe the way the provinces are going to implement this will tell us how successful it will be. We must look at standards and norms and at exercising these functions at a national level. I think we can only succeed if there is real co-operation between the national and provincial levels. I must tell Rev Chabaku that the person who is heading the KwaZulu-Natal foot- and-mouth centre is Dr Moganjane. She is a woman and a veterinarian, and she is running that show. This shows that there can be more women veterinarians developed in this country, because I know that women care for animals and they care for food. They also have a natural talent, I have seen, for working in leadership positions in Natal, and I can only compliment the women veterinarians who have been involved in this matter.
Could I just comment on the specific question regarding the relationship between the national executive officer and the director-general. I do not think there will be any problem at all. This is a general practice, for example, in terms of the Animal Diseases Act. All these years we have had a veterinarian who was appointed the director of animal diseases, running that type of show, who had specific statutory powers.
The Minister makes the appointment and, of course, works very closely with the director-general. This person, the national executive officer, also has a line function, which is not going to be separate from the department. However, if there are any problems, I am sure then the Minister will sit with a political problem which she will have to sort out in that type of situation. However, that was a good point, I must say.
Regarding the poor getting poorer by reason of this legislation, I think there are opportunities created here. Rev Chabaku reported the Free State position, which was not accepted in the legislation, which was that for economic purposes slaughtering should have been allowed.
It is the same as in slaughtering for commercial purposes. The moment one does that, the situation becomes uncontrollable and one cannot say where one should stop. And for practical purposes that has been recognised. We have been asked by emerging businesspersons who are starting up abattoirs themselves to set the correct standards. They have been more prominent in asking for that than anybody else.
So I think opportunities are being created and, at the same time, the cultural and religious sides are being protected. But I think the basic problem is reckless profiteering. Communities must look after their own affairs. They must not allow themselves to be dictated to, regardless of the level at which they function. They must not allow themselves to be victims of corrupt practices.
I thank the House for a brilliant debate, and I commend the Bill to the NCOP. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.