Chairperson, on behalf of the New NP I wish, in the first instance, to extend our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of so many people who have perished as a result of the devastating floods experienced especially in Mpumalanga and the Northern Province, and by our neighbours, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Our hearts also go out to those who have lost almost all, and in many cases all, their earthly possessions.
We also wish to thank and commend the SANDF, especially our heroes and heroines who have selflessly exposed themselves to mortal danger in their quest to rescue and to save human lives. We are truly proud of what we call our angels of mercy, and are grateful that we have the capacity to extend a hand and open our hearts to our less fortunate compatriots and neighbours who had to submit to the forces of nature. I wish to thank those who have arranged the video and photographic display outside this Chamber, which at least gives one a sense of the might of the floods and the damage caused by these floods. Die verlies aan infrastruktuur, landbougrond, gewasse, huise en persoonlike besittings is ongetwyfeld van so 'n aard dat dringende regerings- en ander hulp onontbeerlik is. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The loss of infrastructure, agricultural land, crops, houses and personal belongings is without doubt of such a nature that urgent Government aid, and other assistance, is vital.]
The devastating floods, fires and drought that have struck South Africa and other countries with new vehemence over the past year do not constitute an isolated spate of disasters. They are mounting evidence that global weather patterns are changing fundamentally.
According to studies conducted for the Department of Environmental Affairs by a team led by Prof Bruce Hewitson, Associate Professor of Climatology at UCT, it is expected that there will be an increase of about 10% in rainfall along South Africa's coastlines and a 10% decrease in summer rainfall in the interior during the early and late part of the season. Of more concern is the prediction that there will be longer spells between rain, but more extreme rainfalls. This means more run-off and less water storage in the soil.
These changes will have a huge impact on agriculture, infrastructure, water- dependent industries and public health, and could be catastrophic unless South Africa develops strategies now. Prof Hewitson also predicts a spread in crop diseases and the southward expansion of malaria as pests migrate to new areas.
The New NP therefore fully supports the establishment of the NCOP cluster committee described by Mr Mahlangu, and we will do whatever we can assist this committee to succeed in achieving its goals.
Ons het reeds destyds na aanleiding van die brandramp in die Wes-Kaap 'n beroep op die Minister vir Provinsiale en Plaaslike Regering gedoen om 'n nasionale reddingsentrum as 'n saak van dringendheid daar te stel.(Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[We have already made an appeal to the Minister for Provincial and Local Government, in the wake of the fire disaster in the Western Cape, to establish a national rescue centre as a matter of urgency.]
Let me end by saying that the floods are still affecting areas of our country. I have a report here that appeared in The Mercury of today in KwaZulu-Natal. The headline says: ``River sweeps two peoples to their deaths.'' A seven-year-old boy and a teenager were found dead yesterday after being swept away by a flood-swollen river near Port Shepstone on Tuesday. There is also a search for a third victim, whose name has not yet been released. It states that this seven-year-old boy was ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]