Hon Speaker, the year 2012 is coming to an end. Firstly, on behalf of the ANC I would like to thank all members, and I specifically mention the presiding officers, the staff members, and the National Assembly Table, for a year that has gone well. It is through co-operation, commitment, and dedication that we have been able to achieve all that we have achieved.
Once again, I would like to congratulate Mr Coetzee on his appointment as the Secretary to Parliament this year. [Applause.] We really look forward to working with him in the coming years.
This has been the year that the ANC has celebrated its centenary. Through our work here in Parliament we have managed to reflect the existence of this gallant organisation which has a mandate from the majority of our citizens to lead this country. The celebration continues, under the themes, "Unity in diversity" and "100 years of selfless struggle". This has given us as the ANC the opportunity to celebrate all our presidents, and share the history of this organisation with many in our society through the presidential commemorative lectures.
It is important to highlight the successes that we have been able to achieve in this House this year. We have passed important Bills, such as the Further Education and Training Colleges Amendment Bill, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill, the Use of Official Languages Bill, the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Bill, and other critical Bills that we passed today.
Robust oversight over the executive has been exercised to ensure that it is held accountable by the legislature. It is important, as well, to welcome the fact that Ministers have been available to answer oral questions in the House. Unlike in other years, we have not had difficulties with members of the executive being unavailable to answer questions. So, we really commend their commitment to honouring their responsibilities. [Applause.]
We again observed our losing serving members and former members of the House during this year - may their souls rest in peace.
It is important that we emphasise the importance of maintaining the decorum of the House. We have seen instances that have really called for all of us to pause and reflect on why we are here and the fact that nothing is about us. The integrity of the House needs to be maintained.
Working relations with other parties have been good, but I think more effort could be made to increase co-operation and tolerance amongst parties, in order to ensure the smooth running of the House.
On the same note, we have seen members of this House approaching the court, and this matter specifically related to the Rules of the House. More effort needs to be made by all parties and all members, to ensure that we fast- track the review of the Rules, which is currently under way under the leadership of hon Masutha. Members are urged to find time and make submissions to the Subcommittee on Review of the National Assembly Rules, so that these court challenges can be avoided.
It is important to reflect that while we respect our judicial system, and we respect the right of anyone to take any matter to the court, opposition parties must not use this as a tool to rule from the back door. [Applause.] The ANC has been given a majority percentage of votes by voters to implement what it has highlighted in its manifesto, and we have the responsibility to do exactly that.
Others have set a precedent, and I am also going to try to respond to certain things and might not stick to the conventions. I think that at times we forget that we are not a government of national unity. A particular party has been declared the ruling party and therefore it has to implement its agenda - it can't make excuses to its voters. [Applause.] In all democracies across the globe the majority party sets the agenda, and that must be understood clearly.
The Speaker, together with the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, agreed to increase the time allocation to smaller parties to a minimum of three minutes in all debates. This was done in the spirit of enhancing democracy and ensuring that all parties had a voice and could make meaningful contributions to the debate. So, I am not sure why an issue that we are not allowing the voices of the minorities to be heard in the House has arisen - it is not factually correct. While the Chief Whips' Forum is still seized with finalising the global timeframes, we think this is one of the signs that show that the ANC is committed to the multiparty political system that is enshrined in our Constitution.
Hon members, please take time to rest during your holiday period. Spend time with your loved ones, as there isn't enough time during the year to do so. On behalf of the leadership of the ANC, I bring you the season's greetings.
Be safe on the roads. Don't drink and drive. The high number of fatalities on our roads is worrying. Today Minister Ben Martins launched South Africa's 2012 festive season road safety programme, with the theme, "Together we can save millions of lives". Government and the Department of Transport have called on all of us to assist in achieving a 25% target for a reduction in road traffic offences and casualties during this festive season. As from 1 December all of us, as licensed drivers, are expected to have our headlights on at all times as a sign to ensure that we are all safe. [Applause.]
I am not going to use my full 25 minutes. So, as I conclude, I just want to tell the hon Watson that I am not a self-appointed cheerleader. I am a legitimate leader of the ANC who has been entrusted with the responsibility of doing what I am doing. I am not suffering from illegitimacy. I understand why I'm here, and I am a very legitimate leader. I do not need another party to assist me to be regarded as who I am in my party. [Applause.] [Interjections.] I am not a self-appointed cheerleader. I am a leader, and have hence been given the responsibility of being Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party. The responsibility issue is oor, oom! [has been dealt with, uncle!] We can continue.
Hon Dudley worried me when she said that we were all expected to lie! I got worried. I thought that some of us should clear our names of that. We are not expected to lie. I was not taught to lie, and being a Christian I can't. We are expected to be truthful, and that's the oath that we as members have taken.
Hon Kilian mentioned the issue of co-operation by the opposition parties on critical matters. We will expect that continuously, even in the next year - not only when it suits them, but on matters that are critical for society to improve the lives of ordinary people. Moreover, hon Kilian, there is unfortunately nothing called the secrecy Bill in the records of Parliament. [Interjections.] There isn't anything that is called that. I think we should be able to understand that.
Without spoiling the mood, I just want to wish you well. Enjoy your holidays! [Interjections.]
Hon Kilian, we are responding to what your Chief Whip raised. You know that I have enough time - so, if you provoke me, I am going to respond to you! Your Chief Whip raised issues about the debate and what the judgment said. However, what is clear is that you lost the case! We as the ANC said that we couldn't have that debate this week because the programme was tight. We even gave you a date! After we issued a statement yesterday, the opposition declined this offer and issued a statement to say that it didn't want it next year; it wanted it now. The court was very specific.
We reiterated the issue of promoting democracy and respecting the Constitution. If you listened to my statement, you will have heard that I even made a commitment that the ANC would recommit itself to respecting the rule of law and the Constitution.
We were the champions of drafting that Constitution. We will never abandon it. It is the crux of what has placed us where we are. It is out of the sufferings and pains of the past that we pushed for that Constitution. We will never abandon it. It is the crux of who we are and of our fundamental policies. It is derived from the Freedom Charter, and that's why we have this Constitution. It arises from what we as the ANC felt. We championed it and said enough was enough - we wanted a Constitution that had a Bill of Rights and all the other things that are there. [Applause.] We as the ANC will never abandon that Constitution. We still abide by it, and we will continue to do so.
An example of this is that from 2009 until today we have amended the Constitution only once. If we were so obsessed with the Constitution, we would have amended it many times. We have not done that. That is a sign that the ANC is committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the Constitution, and all institutions. I thank you. [Applause.]