Hon Chairperson and my colleagues, allow me to also add my voice in this august House to the report of Taking Parliament to North West, as was conducted by this upper House. I must also emphasise the fact that the focus of this round of activity was not so different from the Polokwane conference resolutions that put more emphasis on the following categories and priorities: Enhancing the quality of education; improving the provision of health care, particularly for the poor, so as to reduce infant, child and maternal mortality; reducing levels of crime and enhancing citizen safety; expanding rural infrastructure, public transport, housing, water, electricity and sanitation, with emphasis to labour- intensive projects; and the support for farmers and initiative to emerging farmers.
I must indicate, as well, that there were some generic issues raised by participants during the public hearings. Those issues were: High rate of unemployment; class discrimination in society at large; poverty and hunger; social transformation as a process towards poverty eradication; job- creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme; free education should be given; skills development should be accessed by poor communities; fostering co-operative governance; and child support grants should be extended to the age of 18 years.
I must also put emphasis on some matters that were raised in relation to the local government. It came out that there was a lack of communication and consultation between the government, people and the communities. This point of view was partly based on outstanding progress reports to update community members on progress regarding some issues affecting them. I think we have seen that during the TV footage this week around the area of Lichtenburg. I hope that the opportunity afforded to the community of North West, the officials and the politicians should have made it possible for them to address those issues.
When coming to the challenges with the Department of Education, there was a mention of drug abuse that was noted. It was noted that drug abuse as well as alcohol abuse are serious challenges in communities and they need the intervention of the government. The youth were viewed as victims of drug abuse hence they were dropping out of school before reaching grade 12 and becoming involved in crime. Some of the children were engaging in such behaviour within the school premises. Consequently, children and the youth were encouraged to go back to school. I wouldn't like to mention the shortages of teachers. I think the Chairperson has already alluded to that.
I must also mention that the following recommendations were placed before the House: The school feeding scheme should not be compromised, but rather be prioritised for the benefit of the children; an audit of infrastructure investment in farm schools and other schools in the area should be conducted; and a breakdown of the budget of the provincial departments of Education should be sent to the delegation. I hope that has been done.
There were, of course, a number of health-related matters and challenges that were put forward. I would like to indicate that there were some responses whereby the Minister of Health and the MEC stated that it was a good exercise that people were afforded the platform to put forward all those shortcomings. Furthermore, they stated that shortages of resources and training of professional nurses was an issue that was being addressed. Nurses were performing tasks beyond their control. It was noted that more support was going to be employed with the hope that it would assist in minimising such challenges.
Therefore, I have a hope that with the now revised expenditure estimate of 2008-09 as proposed through the Appropriation Bill during the Medium-Term Budget Planning, there was a hope that my North West province would benefit and prioritise challenges like the opening of new nursing colleges, so as to address all of them. I thank you. [Applause]