Chairperson, before I start let me congratulate the secretary of the National Assembly, Mr Xaso, on his birthday today. [Applause.]
It is a well-known and accepted fact that for our development agenda to succeed, we need a contingent of patriots who are equal to the requirements and demands of the current phase. The development of our beloved country, South Africa, cannot be left to survive on sheer luck. The development of South Africa needs patriots capable of fulfilling, to the highest degree, the requirements of the development task of each period. Even the National Development Plan agrees with us that while our country's development requires progress on broad front, building the capability of the state to play a developmental and transformative role is paramount. Hence we support this appointment.
Prof Jahed's vast exposure to the economic sector, his academic qualifications - a PhD in economics - makes him meet the requirements of a fit and proper patriot who is equal to the task. We support this report and we wish him all the best in the execution of this important assignment.