Speaker, in its editorial on Sunday, the Sunday Times reported that the state of the economy is reason to be nervous. We see the jitteriness in the value of the rand. Sentiment and perception will determine our growth in a far greater way. We must adapt to that.
The labour unions' behaviour is crucial to the value of the rand. It appears that they do not accept this responsibility. Add to this the current account deficit of 6,5% of gross domestic product and a national deficit, which makes South Africa a "double deficit" category country. In circumstances like that, you do not mess around with sentiment or perception.
More and more it appears that the United States of America will eventually be the locomotive to slowly pull the world economy out of its crisis. The visit of President Barack Obama is therefore important. While the rest of Africa is rolling out the red carpet, we are playing games. Rumour has it that he will not visit Cape Town, and his visit to South Africa will be low key. Is government playing politics with his visit and putting the ANC's interests ahead of South Africa's interests? We are losing a huge opportunity to roll out the red carpet for President Obama.
The fact that some leaders cannot escape from and see through the bubble of privilege they live in will once again send the wrong impression about this country - this time to the most powerful economy in the world. [Applause.]