Chairperson, the ANC supports the budget. It is as a result of the centrality of local government and because of its capacity that South Africa as a country has been chosen to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Baye bathi: "Zikhonkotha ehambayo." [Controversy dogs those who have achieved successes.]
There are features that demonstrate the statement. One is that local government has put a programme in place that mainstreams hands-on support, as was demonstrated by Project Consolidate.
Furthermore, we are aware in this country that in the past there was no municipal governance until such time as the ANC-led government put in place a municipal system that inculcated a culture of performance management.
Through the Municipal Finance Management Act, today even the opposition can talk about transparency in terms of the ills within the system. Local government has refined and strengthened policies, as well as the regulatory regime, as demonstrated within the fiscal environment through the FFC's recommendations that are responded to, and more so in terms of the expansionary budget that was announced by the President, which is directed, in line with the RDP, towards the needy. I thank you.