Hon Speaker, hon members of this august House, Deputy Speaker, honourable presiding officers and hon Ministers, allow me to thank first of all the staff members that are serving this House. I think many people would have choked here at the podium if there was no water. So, the staff members have been very useful in providing an essential service to members of this House.
I also want to recognise MaNjobe who is a veteran of this House and the struggle for liberation. [Applause.] I'm glad I am finishing five years in this House. I was first sworn in, in this House, as a member of the ANC in 1994. I only stayed here for three weeks, because it was not my intention to be a Member of Parliament. I wanted to go to the Public Service, and I still wish to go back there. I therefore want to let you know that I am also leaving Parliament for that purpose.
Hon Speaker, allow me to thank all of you for the sterling work you have done in the past five years. I further wish to single you out, hon Speaker, for the outstanding performance in the execution of your task, in allowing debates on controversial and contentious issues, like the one on the Marikana killings and the debate we had yesterday on the use of marijuana as a possible cure for cancer. You and the Deputy Speaker, together with the House Chairs, have played a significant role in maintaining the dignity and the decorum of this House.
The political parties that make up this House, although they arrive here carrying their specific mandates, based on their election manifestos, when they sit within these walls, symbolise a diverse but unified voice of the people of South Africa. They tacitly or expressly surrender their individuality to the Rules governing this institution which, of necessity, limit their unfettered freedom. The manner in which and the extent to which they perform their functions within this House are circumscribed by the Rules regulating the behaviour of hon members, regardless of their party affiliation.
The issue of poor attendance by members on both sides of the House gave rise to the development of the attendance policy by the Joint Whips' Committee. This policy, without negating the rights of parties to discipline their members, places the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the discipline of members on this House.
Hon Speaker, this House is tasked, among other things, with passing legislation, and performing oversight over the executive. It cannot be seen to be legislating for others if it cannot apply the same rules to itself. For this institution to preserve its dignity and for the public to respect its members, it must abide by the same standards it expects others to abide by.
In addition, hon Speaker, whilst the rights of political parties to engage in rigorous debates in this House should never be undermined, this has to be done in the spirit of patriotism and in defence of the common good. The notion of unity in diversity must assume political, social and economic meaning for the country to move forward. Members of political parties come to this House with mandates from their caucuses to debate difficult issues that affect the nation. They present positions to this House in the belief that they will be able to persuade other political parties to move to their position. They too should expect that other parties are determined to persuade them to move to their own position. This is the essence of democracy. If you are not ready to persuade and be persuaded, there is no justification for you to be in the House. Individuals and political parties come and go, but this institution will remain in place for generations to come.
In conclusion, I must confess that I came to this House with less knowledge than that with which I leave. I now feel better equipped to face the world and to continue putting building blocks in the development of our nascent democracy. I wish all those members of this House who are not coming back good luck in their endeavours. To those hoping to come back, good luck in the forthcoming elections. I thank you. [Applause.]