... yet, should there be an enquiry about such costs, the impression is easily created that since money was spent on the property where you live, you are therefore somehow responsible.
At times, therefore, I have found it unfair and unreasonable, given our own experiences, that there are some amongst us here who find it strange if a politician living in such a house says that they have not been aware of the nature of the work and costs done at their residences by the relevant departments.
Hon members and colleagues, the responsibility entrusted to us as public representatives is too serious to be subjected to political whims and the usual temptations to gain advantage over one another. The attainment of freedom and democracy by our people, following decades of bitter struggle, was not just for a section of society, but a national achievement embraced by all of us.
Therefore, what is our leadership task in this House in sustaining such nationalism and pride that our people were denied for so long before? We yearned to be free. It was for this reason that our leaders before us convened across the political divide in 1955 at Kliptown and declared unity in action for a future society our people yearned for. That was their leadership task.
If we are to emulate the revolutionary maturity of those who drew up the Freedom Charter, the basis of our Constitution, then we should recognise that the task that history lays before us is that of uniting our people. If there is a common future for our people, then our task is to lead them on a common journey to such a future.
I thank you all.