Thank you, Chairperson, for your protection. But, indeed, whether you like it or not, the ANC will in due course embark on that parliamentary enquiry. The media can't be left untransformed. If we are reasonable as South Africans who believe in transformation and change in this country, we will agree that it is necessary. Of course, if you dare or care, you can just research in terms of how untransformed this print media is, in our country.
Minister, allow me to highlight some of the key issues contained in the GCIS department's Budget Vote, which was established in 2012 and which indeed we have managed to achieve. We do recognise that some of them have been partly achieved but the majority of them have been achieved.
However, Chairperson and hon Minister, we want to say, as a committee, we are concerned that there are some indications that to a certain extent some of these priorities have been stifled by the staff turnover in some of the sections. However, if we have already corrected that it will mean that we are on the right path in terms of making sure that GCIS continues to do the work it is supposed to.
I must also say that as the ANC, in 2007 we had taken a decision that we want each municipal area to have a community radio station, not for the municipality but in a municipal area. Indeed, we are looking at the progress which the MDDA is making there. We are not there yet, but don't dare fail us. We want all municipal areas by 2014 to have community radio stations because our people deserve to listen to the news, to be entertained and educated in their own languages. And indeed if that will be a reality that we could achieve, as ANC, we will be glad because it will be a step towards the achievement of media diversity.
I must also take this opportunity to thank the funding partners of MDDA. I won't mention all of them but if you can get a copy of my speech you will see them. We urge them to continue their support for the noble cause of media diversity, and polarity of voice and opinions. Together we will increase our funding for the MDDA and turn the tide in respect of the transformation of media in South Africa.
The ANC would also like to thank both the staff of the GCIS and the MDDA for work well done. Our thanks also go to ... [Interjections.] ... This is a political platform; we are debating a budget on a political platform [Interjections.] Exactly, so I am glad if you know that. [Laughter.]
I must also acknowledge that on 24 May the MDDA will be having the Local Media Award ceremony. I hope that the preparations to do so are at an advanced level.
In conclusion I would like to quote the words of former President Thabo Mbeki, who once said: "As a consequence of the victories we have registered during our first 10 years of democracy and freedom, we have laid a firm foundation for the new advances we must and will make during the next decades."
By saying so, I would like to extend the same to the MDDA and the GCIS. You have done us proud all the time and we hope you will continue to do so; to make us proud as a nation.
Hon Minister, we are encouraged that the budget as requested is sufficient to address the requirements contained in your strategic plan and we will support the key national imperatives of your strategic plan in your budget. And we would like to call upon all the parties and all those who are participants in this sector that, indeed, if we can work together, we can do more. The ANC supports this Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.].