Chairperson, I wish to thank all the hon members who participated in the debate for their comments. I pre- emptively want to thank the House for supporting the Bill. The comments will all be conveyed to the Minister without amendments or spin-doctoring on my part. [Laughter.]
The matters we have addressed here are vital to our people, to protect them and enhance their rights. Indeed we are all aware of the fact that there are many houses that have been built and constructed with defects, where unscrupulous contractors have cheated our people. If, as Parliament and as government, we kept quiet and folded our arms in the light of this, we would be conniving in the act of robbing our people. This Bill is therefore important.
As the hon Tau correctly stated, it is about restoring the humanity and dignity of our people. We must therefore remain consistently committed to these ideals, for which our people were prepared to lay down their lives and which form the bedrock of our people's democracy. As public representatives, we must continue to serve the interests of our people as loyally as we can so that they are not abused.
We must continue to ensure that Parliament becomes a living and robust tribunal of our people, with bias towards the poor, the underprivileged, the vulnerable as well as those at risk. These amendments indeed, hon Matlhoahela, will address all our people and will not discriminate against the constituencies, which you represent.
It is true that strategic stakeholder partnerships involving our people's participation will be important to ensure that we are able to fulfil the ideals of the Freedom Charter, upon which this new South Africa is being founded. Therefore, it was important that we should take the steps that we have taken and we are indeed happy that there were no dissenting voices in supporting the Bill that has been presented before the NCOP. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.