Speaker, the hon member is asking about affirmative action; a question that is discussed all the time. Affirmative action did not emerge out of nothing. It's a tool to address the legacy of apartheid, wherein the majority of the people of this country were excluded from opportunities. They were, by and large, excluded from acquiring the best education and therefore did not have skills. Even if they had the skills, they were not allowed to be employed in certain positions.
Democratically, we can't just move forward without addressing the problem which affects a particular area within our country as a result of apartheid. That is why we have affirmative action. Instead of people being excluded, let them be included. As we are dealing with issues, let us therefore look closely at those who have been excluded in the past. It does not say whites, for example, will never be given an opportunity. It does not say so. There are guidelines, given the new democracy and the fact that we are addressing the problem. And I cannot imagine everybody being affected.
You have also said that, in some cases, when a job opportunity exists and there were candidates with equal qualifications, then the issue of affirmative action should be considered when a prospective candidate is decided upon. That is affirmative action. It does not say that if there are applicants who applied for the same job and one candidate is more qualified than the other, the other candidate on the basis of being black, though less qualified, should get the job. I do not think that it says so. It does not.
One problem that arises when we discuss these issues is that politicians will say some people say one thing and others say something else. There would be no concrete and real examples that would refer to individuals who have suffered differently, so that we could investigate the matters. It is always some. Politicians will at times say it is what the people said, when they are actually expressing their own views.
The lack of evidence does not help us to address the issue or to believe that it is actually true. I've debated with other people who have been advancing that kind of thing. When asked about the evidence during the real detailed discussion, it would not be available. I would be very happy if, one day, members could really provide evidence so that we can investigate and discover what has really happened. Thank you.