Chairperson of the NCOP, hon M J Mahlangu; Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Peggy Hollander; House Chairpersons, Mrs Oliphant and Mr Setona; hon members and comrades from the ANC, this year was a momentous one and one of the busiest for our hon members and committees. The number of Bills passed by Parliament and the various oversight activities of our committees truly attest to the hard work of our hon members.
We have seen the conclusion of the first round of our programme of Taking Parliament to the People as we visited the people of Lady Frere, Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape, possibly the last province in this term of Parliament since the launch of the programme of Taking Parliament to the People in 2002.
Therefore, I wish to pay tribute to all the people who contributed to the efficient functioning of this august House. In the first instance, I acknowledge the principled support and outstanding leadership of the Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Mahlangu, and the presiding officers, the deputy chairperson and the two House Chairpersons. I know that I can state without fear of contradiction that your firm but fair leadership during plenaries was the guiding light to all political parties and it deserves our gratitude.
As the Chief Whip of the Council, I wish to thank all the provincial Whips and the multiparty Whips for their leadership, co-operation and contributions. In that respect I hasten to acknowledge the role played by my predecessor, the hon Windvol, in constructing a strong foundation for the functioning of the Whippery in our Council.
I would like to take this opportunity to also acknowledge the parliamentary staff and the service staff for their professional and administrative skills in servicing the Table of the House. They make life easy and convenient for us by providing interpreting services during debates; compiling Hansard; processing legislation, questions and motions; and serving the various committees.
Hon Chairperson, I have no doubt that many of us here share my sentiments that we surely have a team to be proud of in the NCOP. Therefore, they deserve a special word of appreciation for their individual and collective contributions towards the success of our various programmes.
I firmly believe that through our collective efforts we have contributed to the creation of a better world, and that we, as members of this august institution, the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, changed thousands of lives for the better. Each one of us made a direct difference in some or other way in the lives of the people of South Africa.
I am presumptuous enough to think that, with our efforts to create a better life for all the people of South Africa, we are performing a crucial function in an ever-changing and demanding world. Many of you have never sought to be more important than our country and the lives of those we serve. You have managed to accomplish your civil duties and constitutional mandate with dedication, zeal and commitment.
Looking back, we all realise that this was a demanding year. Parliament asks a lot of you and no matter how much you do, there is always more that needs to be done. And I must tell you there are still more Bills coming.
So, at the close of this year, I want to thank each of the hon members for giving of their talent and dedication and especially for making this House a family of communities.
I know that when we started here in 2004, we used to fight a lot. I am telling you, if you look back and note how we behaved during those days, we are now completely different from those people who did not know each other and were really at each other's throats. We all are behaving like human beings now!
As members of opposite parties, we would obviously try to negotiate the most for our own constituencies. However, we are still compatriots and fellow South Africans - a shared distinction which I value highly. It is the support and understanding that we give each other that help us through the long hours, the challenging tasks and the tough days. I sincerely thank you for that.
From the office of the Chief Whip, I know that we have focused all the powers from the team's combined strengths and skills that we possess and seized every opportunity to co-operate with hon members of this House who put the national interests ahead of partisanship. I therefore thank my own staff members for their unwavering support and dedication - and I truly mean that.
As we now say goodbye at this our last sitting of the year - of course, there are about two plenaries next year, hon members - and as we go out to spend a well-deserved period of rest with our families, I wish all our members and staff a very happy festive season. And for the ANC members who are residing in the Western Cape, let us win all these by-elections in order to win the province next year. May the Good Lord bless you until we meet again. Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]