Mr Speaker, the hon President often speaks about what is patriotic and what is not. However, his meaning is less clear. Just last month, he implied in his reply to the state of the nation debate that opposition co-operation and criticism of his government are unpatriotic. He said, and I quote:
This is why at times I worry that the opposition politics may go beyond the level where one can say as much as this one is in the opposition, he loves his country.
In September last year, the hon President said: You have more rights because you're a majority; you have less rights because you're a minority. That's how democracy works.
And then in January he said, and I quote:
Everything you touch will multiply. I have always said that a wise business person will support the ANC because supporting the ANC means you are investing very well in your business.
It seems to me the President believes that patriotism simply means loyalty to the ANC, not criticising the ANC. Is it true that by calling for citizens and opinion leaders to be more patriotic, the President is simply saying they must be more loyal to the ANC? Thank you.