Sihlalo, ukubaluleka kukagesi, amafutha nezinye izinto yikho impela okwenze ukuthi thina njenge-NFP sileseke leli Voti Lesabiwomali. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Mr N M KHUBISA: Chairperson, the importance of electricity, oil and other things is the actual reason why we as the NFP support this Budget Vote.]
Having said that, I think, in the spirit of interdependence, interrelatedness and intergovernmental relations, it is important that this department works closely with the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to ensure that the people in rural areas do have electricity. It takes a long time for houses to be mapped for electrification, only to find that these people do not get electricity in good time. Therefore, it is pivotal for that kind of interrelatedness to be maintained. Our people in rural areas need electricity.
The second issue is that it is important for us to normalise industrial relations. It is our fervent and strong view as the NFP that the government cannot sit back. We understand that the right to industrial relations is a constitutional right, but the government has a mandate to ensure that industrial relations are maintained so that when people need electricity the most, we are able to ensure that they get it.
Load shedding has become an issue. It has become a thorn in our side. Of course, our power stations have a life span of 30 years. Therefore, skills will be needed from time to time to ensure that we do not have any electricity cut-offs, especially in winter, when it is very cold and when it is crucial for our people to have electricity. Thank you, Chair.