Thank you, hon Speaker. I think there is a process in terms of which SADC, which includes South Africa, is pursuing matters in Zimbabwe. We have been dealing with the matter for a long period now. South Africa is a facilitator. Whilst this has been happening, from the beginning Europe and other countries have continued to make demands. I am not sure whether there is anything new in what they are saying. They have been saying that Zimbabwe must meet certain conditions and, of course, they applied sanctions to Zimbabwe. There has been a long debate on what those sanctions are doing to inhibit the very process that Zimbabwe is supposed to undertake. So, if they make the demands, I doubt that there is anything new that they are coming up with.
We are dealing with the matter in Zimbabwe. There will be a SADC summit very soon. Perhaps that matter will feature in terms of which we deal with the progress we have made in Zimbabwe. I am not certain who must determine the pace there, whether it should be the demands that come from outside the continent, which are informed by very specific interests. SADC is informed by very specific interests in so far as how we have been handling the Zimbabwean issue.
So, really, without considering what the demands are, our view and our wish is that we should solve the Zimbabwean problem. The quicker we do it, the better. That is our view and we are working hard to do so. Thank you, hon Speaker. [Applause.]
Outcome of Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission Conference
8. Mr S N Swart (ACDP) asked the President of the Republic:
(1) What was the outcome of the first Presidential Infrastructure Co- ordinating Commission conference, held on 13 April 2012, to discuss the infrastructure development plan that he announced during his 2012 state of the nation address;
(2) when does he (a) intend to convene the Presidential Infrastructure Summit to discuss the implementation of the infrastructure plan with potential investors and social partners and (b) envisage that initial projects forming part of the plan will be launched, in view of escalating construction and financing costs? NO1446E