May I take this opportunity to thank my comrades from the ANC, the acting chairperson and all the members of the ANC for supporting this Budget Vote and for also understanding the imperatives of transformation in the mining industry, the complexities and the difficulties we have faced since the inception of democracy. Thank you very much. Thank you, comrades, for your contribution to this debate and for being constructive. [Applause.]
Hon Hlengwa, thank you very much. The IFP has never let us down in this portfolio committee. You have always supported us. May I call upon you - all of us - to boldly stand in making sure that this industry thrives? We believe in you, as the IFP, as the previous members have done. We believe that, together, we will be able to create a better mining industry in this country. [Applause.] We also believe that the hon Dudley's contribution to this portfolio committee - understanding the challenges, skills development, the importance of making sure that we modernise this industry - is imperative. We welcome her support of our Budget Vote.
Coming to the prophets of doom, starting with the hon Carter: Jim comes to Johannesburg. [Laughter.] Make sure you understand this industry better. Don't come here on the platform of a dying party, which has never gone to elections, which doesn't understand democracy. After hardly five years, it is up in arms, fighting. Where do you belong: to Lekota or to the honourable Shilowa? Which one do you belong to? [Interjections.] We are an organisation which has integrity and which has a track record. [Interjections.] Very soon you will be joining the DA, because you don't know where you belong. [Interjections.]
Hon Lorimer, may I say that we are in the illegal space in Roodepoort. We are there. We exist. We are hands-on, because we come, and we were created by the ground. I am unlike you who pass the area and then say that you understand. I am there! I work with the people on the ground. [Interjections.] That is why there is change! That is what we are doing in that space! Where are you? You are sitting here. Participate in the committee and understand what is going on there. Don't just come here and challenge what you don't know. We are a party of integrity.
Let me also say to you that when you come to Parliament, contextualise. Contextualise and listen. I reflected the success whilst we face challenges. The mining industry is doing well, but you continue, because you did not write your speech! You didn't hear; you had to stick to the book. Understand and contextualise. Come here understanding what goes on. [Interjections.] Don't just say what is written in the papers by researchers. Understand the industry. No-one writes for us! We develop and create our speeches, as the ANC. That is how we were brought up. That is how we were taught in the ANC. Join us, as the ANC! [Applause.]
Hon Schmidt, may I say to you ...