Hon Speaker and colleagues, there is a huge temptation to read the feeling in the House, to play to that feeling, to just be friendly and jovial, and to just say all the nice things. That's a temptation.
However, I think we should look at ourselves in a very serious manner today. I had the opportunity to attend the court application that we are all talking about, and that we have all known about for the last couple of days. I also attended the judgment today. I would suggest to all members of the House - all members of the House - that they make a point of getting that judgment and reading it, because, although the application was dismissed, the contents of the judgment have a huge impact on us as Parliament, and that goes for all of us. I think we should take it very, very seriously. I am not going to go into any further details, but we must really go and look at exactly what is being said there, and I can assure you that what happened today will not be the end of the process in terms of that judgment.
Be that as it may, I would like to use the opportunity to say thank you to all colleagues for the year that we have all been in Parliament, and for the opportunity to serve on different committees, to serve with the Whips and to serve with all the people from the Chief Whips' Forum, the programme committee, and so on.
Ons het almal saam 'n reuse verantwoordelikheid as parlementslede. Dit is nie net die taak van die opposisie om die waardigheid van die Huis te probeer instand hou nie. Dit is ook die taak van alle parlementslede. Dit is nie net die taak van die opposisie of die regerende party om na die bepalings van die Grondwet om te sien nie. Die mense daar buite ... Ons moet weer gaan kyk na artikel 42. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[We have a huge responsibility, together as Members of Parliament. It is not only the task of the opposition to try and maintain the dignity of the House. That is also the task of all Members of Parliament. It is not only the task of the opposition or of the ruling party to pay attention to the provisions of the Constitution. The people out there ... We should take another look at section 42.]
We are elected by the people to represent the people, and that means all the people. It cannot mean only one part of the people. It means all the people, and we should act in that respect in all instances and at all times. In conclusion ...
... waar ons in hierdie tyd uitmekaar gaan, wens ek u almal 'n veilige en rustige tyd voor, dat ons rustig gaan ontspan en uitrus, want ons almal weet dat ... [... whereas we are adjourning at this time, I wish you all a safe and peaceful time, that we may all unwind and take a rest, because we all know that ...]
... 2013 is the year before the next election, and we will all start electioneering in 2013, I guess, if we have not started already.
Ek wens u almal 'n veilige en gesende tyd by die huis toe. [I wish you all a safe and blessed time at home.]
Go and think about our role as Members of Parliament in upholding the institution and the Constitution. I can assure you that we all know this. The people out there are expecting that of us, and nothing less. Thank you. [Applause.]