Chairperson, comrades and hon members, poverty in our country carries, by and large, the face of an African woman, is rural based and a reality to the African majority. It is a product of inequality created by years of settler colonial rule with its attendant criminal oppression and ruthless exploitation. We reject the trickle-down theory and we advocate, as a measure of ideological conviction, an active role for the state in the socioeconomic life of the people. Absolute poverty can be wiped out by ensuring that our social security net covers all vulnerable groups, which have up to now excluded the long-term retrenchees.
The state's active role in the economy helps to ensure a fairer distribution of wealth, thus reducing relative poverty. Whilst the state has its role to play, so does private capital. We are not convinced that private capital is playing its role actively and satisfactorily, in terms of creating quality and sustainable jobs. Instead, poverty amongst the workers is rife due to starvation wages and permanent casualisation. The message must be sent that there is a growing realisation or appreciation that beyond the 1994 political settlement, white capital's resistance to share the economic cake has not waned much. The continued African poverty is a blot on our democracy. Indeed, the miracle of 1994 in material terms happened for the rich. Making poverty history is a campaign; let us make it a reality. Thank you.