Chairperson, I greet the hon House, the chairperson, hon Ministers and MECs. Before I start my speech, I just want to say that something about this "bread and fish" thing that reminds me of Jesus Christ. So I don't know who the new Jesus Christs are here in this country.
As an ID Member of Parliament, I need to make it clear to the House that the ID is neither for nor against any party. As the name states, we are independent. We will go against something where appropriate and support something where that is appropriate, according to the ID's constitution, principles and policies, as issues emerge.
The N2 Gateway Housing project problems are extremely complicated. Firstly, the project is a pilot project, open to all sorts of error. By saying "it's open to all sorts of error", that means that if a thing is a pilot it's like an experiment. Therefore all faults can come into it. Do you understand? That is not a criticism. When something is new, you learn. Therefore faults will creep in.
I quote the city's most senior planner, Steven Boshoff, when he said the N2 Gateway project was "... the right kind for Cape Town". However, questions have been raised, which need to be answered. There was R27 million outstanding for work done during the project's first phase. If the project was planned properly, why has it been hampered by financial difficulties, since it was launched as an intergovernmental initiative? Why didn't the city mayor raise the concerns in the forum of Ministers, MECs and mayors?
We have to be sympathetic towards the homeless and be less comfortable in our cosy homes or mansions. We are looking forward to seeing these problems solved. I thank you, hon Chair.