Hon Speaker, the ID objects to the Minerals and Energy Budget Vote as we believe that very little forward thinking and resources are being dedicated towards moving South Africa away from its traditional polluting energy sources. It is simply business as usual, with the vast bulk of money being ploughed into coal, hydro and nuclear power and without enough focus being put on how we can position South Africa as a world leader in renewable energy production.
Our scientists might be coming up with cutting-edge technology, but this is not being financially supported enough to turn that research into a leading industry for South Africa. On the other hand, we have seen the failure of the central energy-generation system in Cape Town, with the enormous cost to businesses and households in the city.
We desperately need some forward thinking and creative solutions that can decrease rather than increase our reliance on nuclear energy. For this and other reasons, we will not support this Budget Vote. I thank you.