Hon Speaker, when we said citizens must participate in social cohesion, we did not mean they must love the ANC. We meant they must love their country. That is what we are implying. Their country comes first. [Applause.]
On the occasions that the speaker has quoted, certainly, my understanding of the ANC is that it has the best policies in this country. I was saying to business people that if they appreciate them, they should support the ANC because it will take this country to its prosperity. [Applause.] There is nothing wrong with that.
In fact, all parties say it more during elections. All parties call on voters to vote for them, and do not imply that they must only be loyal to their parties. The fact of the matter is that the ANC has better policies, and that has been proven by the people who vote in their numbers. [Applause.] I was saying to business people that if they support the ANC they are investing in the future of this country, and that is highly political. It is absolutely saying this party has the policies that are known and debated every day. It has processes that are highly democratic, and to decide those policies involves the society in general.
When you go to our policy conferences, we publish our papers for everybody to participate. That is how broad this organisation is. That is the point that I was making at the dinner. Absolutely correct! It does not say: Be loyal to the ANC only.
I responded in Parliament about democracy with regard to the minorities and the majorities. That what is democracy all about - minorities and majorities. If you win elections, you win the majority. You have the right to form a government, and not the minorities. Their minority right is to be in Parliament and be in opposition benches. That is what democracy says. [Applause.] I was not inventing anything but just describing democracy. The reason why you have less speaking time is how democracy works. The majority has more speaking time. That is democracy and you cannot term it in any other way. [Applause.] If the hon member does not appreciate that very basic explanation of what democracy is all about, then I do not know. I might have to conduct some classes. [Laughter.] [Applause.] Thank you.