Chairperson, I thank all the speakers who participated in the debate on this Budget Vote. We heard all sorts of voices, one category of voices full of sound and fury signifying nothing. Included in the list are none other than hon members Steenhuisen, Mosimane and Groenewald. I don't know where hon Mosimane comes from.
I checked as to what made them spend so much energy exposing their veins in anger for nothing. Maybe it's because I concluded my speech, in response to the time, before further giving them figures so that they could realise that ours is a government at work. [Applause.] Maybe it's because I did not reach the point where I would have said that our community work programme delivered 204 000 jobs against a target of 171 000. Maybe it's because I concluded before I indicated that the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency, Misa, has delivered 862 projects. [Interjections.] Maybe it's because I concluded before saying that, out of the backlog of 1 244 disputes and claims in our traditional leadership that were reported last year, we have solved 856 and we are therefore on target. Maybe that is why they are so worried. If that is not the case, maybe it's because I did not indicate that Misa created 36 000 jobs. If it's not that, why do you raise an issue about Sterkspruit? Our involvement led to the solution to the challenges - the shutdown and everything in Sterkspruit - all because of my two days' involvement, Madam Mosimane. Your voice sounds so furious and that's why I'm saying it signifies nothing. Maybe you have a story to tell. Maybe the reason is that we frustrated the plans of Cope by solving the problems in Sterkspruit, and that is what worries you. [Applause.]
We clearly addressed the problems in Zamdela. When I went to Zamdela, there was no leader who was ready to address the problems. Cope was not there or ready to listen; there was no one. I had to go and address the problems. Why do you have such selective morality when you raise issues? [Interjections.] That's why I'm saying your voices say nothing other than sound like empty vessels. You just want to raise issues but not deal with them. [Applause.]
Hon Steenhuisen, I nearly said your voice represents a fifty-fifty split. I would have made a terrible mistake. On the one part I thought: "This is a leader; he speaks facts." But I later realised that you don't understand. You say you engaged with the SA Municipal Workers' Union, Samwu, regarding the regulations. You failed to understand that Samwu is not taking action against government, but against Parliament about tagging. As government we don't tag Bills. Possibly you are involved in farming and when they talk about tagging you think they are talking about ... [Interjections.] [Applause.]