Chairperson, they don't want to listen to the truth ... [Interjections.] ... and the truth is that the DA believes in an open opportunity society in which individuals have equal opportunities to attain their dreams and fulfil their desired goals in life ... [Interjections.] ... regardless of whether they have political connections or not. In an open opportunity society, a child of a domestic worker can become a medical doctor or an engineer ... [Interjections.] ... if conditions are created for individuals to attain their life-long dreams.
Yet in South Africa today, economic freedom means having access to government tenders through corruption with provincial governments. [Interjections.] It seems as if corruption is endemic in this country. It seems ... [Interjections.] ... to mean a Minister's lover manipulating key appointments in the state-funded entities, and having to enrich family members and friends. That is not economic freedom. [Interjections.]
Economic freedom does not mean paying R40 million for a provincial website ... [Interjections.] ... that should have cost only R400. Economic freedom is not spending R200 million of taxpayers' money on one man's house. [Interjections.] Economic freedom does not mean having to donate money to the ANC so that your business can thrive. [Interjections.] That is not economic freedom. {Applause.] Economic freedom does not mean opening mining interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, and the Central African Republic ... [Interjections.] ... and having our soldiers sent there to guard those economic interests. [Interjections.]
Economic freedom is the emancipation of the people from the scourge of poverty ... [interjections.] ... unemployment, hunger, disease and other forms of suffering. [Interjections.] Until we can fight your corruption ... [Interjections.] ... and punish those who divert public funds for personal enrichment, economic freedom will not be enjoyed by the majority of the people. [Interjections.] Political freedom without economic freedom is a hollow freedom. [Interjections.]