Hon Chair, allow me first and foremost to acknowledge the presence of our supreme forces, irrespective of what our perceptions may be. I greet all of you with As-saalamu-alay-kum. [Peace be with you.]
Amlcar Cabral once said:
Always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyone's head. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives going forward, to guarantee the future of their children.
Human rights stem from two foundational principles, namely dignity and equality. Our Constitution guarantees both of these principles when it says that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. But this, unfortunately, is only on paper and is not reflected in the daily lives of our people, where many still do not have adequate housing, clean drinking water, access to education and many other basic human rights.
This marginalisation, unfortunately, is clearly distinguishable largely on the grounds of race. Unfortunately, the darker you are, the more difficult your life is likely to be in South Africa and in other parts of the world.
Section 26 of the Constitution places the responsibility of delivering on basic human rights squarely on the shoulders of the state, and 20 years into the new South Africa, failure on the part of this government to deliver in this regard is a regrettable indictment indeed.
The right to housing requires adequate and available land, and at this point it is necessary for us as the EFF to place on record that the land laws of this country make it extremely difficult for land reform to take place, and it is this ANC government that is sustaining and maintaining these laws. We, in the EFF, have offered you the two-thirds majority to make the fundamental and necessary changes ... [Interjections.] ... and once again we invite you to join us ... [Interjections.]