Chairperson, we did not support the Budget Vote for Land Affairs last year, because it was the only way we could have demonstrated our opposition to the underspending of the budget, the ineffective administration and the irresponsible statements by senior officials of the department.

This year again, in contrast to what the Minister has said in her Budget Speech, R1,2 billion was taken off her budget in the adjustment budget in November 2006 because the department could not spend it.

Why then support the budget for Land Affairs this year? This is a valid question. We considered the following issues: Firstly, the acceptance of a proactive land acquisition strategy which we think is the right way to go; secondly, the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle, an agency which is targeted to speed up sustainable land reform; thirdly, positive sentiments flowing from the Presidential Agricultural Workshop; and fourthly, the acceptance by the Minister of the goodwill of landowners and their willingness to help.

In the light of these positive events and plans, we will support the Budget Vote on Land Affairs and we will diligently monitor the progress made to see if our support is in vain or not. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.