House Chairperson, hon members and comrades, I must say, for the first time I have worked very well with a member from the DA, who is also my provincial Whip. This says that in the NCOP we are able to work with one another. I must also say that there are members here who really ... [Interjections.] Continue that sentence. I didn't say that.
I also want to say that as we come to the end of 2009, we must look back and all agree that it was a greatly challenging year. We all participated in the election campaign, each party hoping to get the 50% plus one, but there always be only one victor, and we will always be that.
Whether you agree or you don't, you have no choice on this one. You have to agree with me. I also want say, Chair, as we go back to our constituencies, let's engage our communities, educate society about the laws that we make, about the laws that empower them and about the laws that protect them.
We will begin our new year with the workshop that we have postponed. Remember, tomorrow we were supposed to have a workshop. We have postponed that until next year, together with other matters. Of course, we have to plan for what we will do next year and how we will take our work forward for the whole of next year.
House Chair, we rise at a time when the world is observing the 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. I want us to make sure that, together, we work with the police to protect their lives. It is such a bad and heartbreaking thing to see young children being killed by their fathers.
When a husband doesn't agree with me, the mother, then he makes sure that he'll take the child's life. Because I am the mother, I must feel that pain. It is the responsibility of all of us to protect our children. That problem knows no race; it knows no colour.
I also want to say that as we mention the 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children, we will mention World Aids Day, but we don't speak about 3 December. We don't speak about that, so next year, as we continue with this debate, we have to make sure that people with disabilities hear us speaking about them, those of us who are not yet disabled, because sooner or later, we will be joining that club. I know Mr Watkins is slowly moving there. You know, Mr Watson has changed his surname. The unfortunate thing is that you all don't know that I am the only one who knows it. So, don't be surprised when I call him Watkins. He has two names now. Today he is Watson, and on another day he is Watkins.
Chair, I want to thank the provincial Whips, the political parties and all members for their good co-operation. I know that in the process I might have trampled on your toes. You must know that it was not deliberate. It was because I wanted us to be taken as a House, not as a hokkie [little cage]. We are a House here.
Lastly, I want to thank the support and advisory staff of the NCOP, under Adv Phindela, and thank the staff in my office, without whom I wouldn't have been this successful a Chief Whip. It is due to them that I have been able to work.
Lastly, on behalf of the ANC and on behalf of myself, as the Chief Whip, I wish you a good and enjoyable rest. May God Almighty be with you all till we meet again, but remember: Arrive Alive. Don't drink and drive. Drinking doesn't apply to men only. May all of us not drink and drive. May you have a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2010, and we hope that, for the first time in our lifetime, of course, Africa will bring the World Cp home. Thank you very much. [Applause.]