Hon House Chair, let us assist. Our noble democracy is recognised globally and viewed as a success story. If we are to be honest and look at the facts, then at the centre of this success story is Statistics SA; at the centre of this success story is an institution called Statistics SA.
Over the past 20 years, we have had a proud tradition of this institution, which has ensured that the decisions that are taken to improve the lives of our people and decisions that are taken to make allocations for the development of our country, are informed by evidence-based statistics.
This is an institution that has championed the process that ensured that as a country, we are not ruled by what is termed a thumb-sucking phenomenon.
Motho o tsoga fela mo mosong a be a re, ke tla ba fa seno mahala, ke tla ba direla seno mahala. [A person wakes up in the morning and decides, this will be free, this I will provide to them for free.]
This is an institution which has made sure that we are not victims of what I term a thumb-suck phenomenon - free everything. Statistics SA is here and will continue to be here to provide evidence-based statistical information, which is important for decision making. Hence, as the ANC, we support this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).
Vote No 14 - Arts and Culture - put.
Declarations of vote: