Deputy Speaker, the matter of mineral resources in the country has been a contentious issue since the arrival of the European immigrants in the 16th century in Azania. Diamond, gold, copper and many other mineral resources were mined at will without any form of regulation by the aggressors whose belief was to take anything at our disposal that may make us perpetual slaves and keep us in permanent poverty as it is the case today.
The PAC of Azania welcomes efforts such as those entailed in this Bill to regulate the export of unpolished diamond from our country. The 5% levy on the export of unpolished diamonds will assist in the development of our underdeveloped country where the majority of the Africans are living in squalid conditions.
The PAC of Azania firmly believes that this Bill that is tabled, if controlled, monitored and evaluated accordingly, may produce the required outcomes of job creation through our local beneficiation.
The involvement of diamond exchange institutions and the diamond export centre will be a deterrent factor to any form of cheating. The medium and small diamond producers will benefit from the exemptions of the export levy and may go a long way in making sustainable African diamond producers. The mining industries need an economic revolution that will speedily turn it into a conveyor belt of world distribution in our country. The PAC supports the Bill.