Madam House Chair, the Bill provides a legislative framework for the transformation and restructuring of the legal profession in line with constitutional imperatives so as to facilitate and enhance the independent legal profession that broadly reflects the diversity of South Africa's demographics. No more old boys club. No more inaccessible legal services within the democratic dispensation of South Africa.
The NCOP has indicated that six of the nine provinces have actually supported the Bill, which actually puts us in line with section 78 of the Constitution. Of course the NCOP has recommended that "guilty of an offence in terms of section 93" be substituted with "commits an offence". We regard the issue as a minor and not a substantial change, which means that we are in a position to move forward with it.
The Bill has been in the pipeline for too long. South Africans have been waiting for this Bill. There is no reason whatsoever for us to continue delaying passing this Bill. The ANC continues to support the Bill as amended by the NCOP. I thank you. [Applause.]
Motion agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Independent Democrats, Freedom Front Plus and African Christian Democratic Party dissenting).
Bill accordingly passed.