Madam Deputy Speaker, we have come to the end of a very long and exhausting year in terms of our parliamentary agenda. I'm of the view that on this occasion with farewell speeches we must realise that it's not the time for parties to blame one another, but rather to reflect as individuals on what each one of us has done in the past year with regard to fulfilling our obligations as a representative of our people and as a Member of Parliament.
Ek dink ons moet besef dat die werklikheid ook is dat daar dinge gebeur het in ons parlementre stelsel wat miskien vraagtekens plaas oor die geloofwaardigheid van ons Parlement as instelling. Ek dink nie ons moet illusies daaroor h dat daar by die publiek sekere persepsies mag bestaan wat nie noodwendig altyd positief is oor wat ons doen en wat ons hier verrig nie. Mag dit vir ons elkeen 'n uitdaging wees wanneer ons volgende jaar terugkom om juis daaraan te werk dat ons die werklike beeld van die Parlement voorhou as 'n instelling waarop elke Suid-Afrikaner kan trots wees. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[I think we must realise that it is also a reality that things have occurred in our parliamentary system which perhaps raise questions about the credibility of our Parliament as an institution. I do not think we must have any illusions concerning certain perceptions that may exist among the public which are not necessarily always positive about what we do or what we accomplish here. Let it be a challenge to us all when we return next year to work on presenting the true image of Parliament as an institution of which each South African can be proud.]
I would also like to use the opportunity to thank my colleagues in the caucus of what has become known as the "caucus for the smaller parties". Those are all the smaller parties, with the exception of the DA and the IFP, which meet on a regular basis once a week to discuss issues. I know it's a laden term, which may be dangerous to use, but we just may become what could be known as the "third force," but in a positive sense. [Laughter.] We are working on that!
Ek wil ook dankie s vir die dienste van die Parlement. [I also want to say thank you to the services of Parliament.] These include the protection services, the SA Police Service, the service officers, the cleaners, the catering staff, each and every member of Parliament's staff who work tirelessly to make our stay here as Members of Parliament pleasant. Thank you very much. Sometimes you may think that we do not see that, but we do.
Aan almal 'n Gesende Kersfees en 'n voorspoedige Nuwejaar. Die geveg gaan volgende jaar voort, dan gaan ons weer vorentoe. Baie dankie. [Applous.] [To everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. The struggle continues next year, and then we move forward again. Thank you. [Applause.]]