Minister Patel, it is vitally important that we look at making the R800 million you have leveraged for the Sefa loan fund - which is fantastic - available to youth entrepreneurs and that it is available at an affordable rate. Our problem is that the biggest killer of business in South Africa is government - all three spheres of government, including state entities. [Interjections.] There is a sick culture which ignores all legislation stipulating that accounts be paid within 30 days. Once the first 30-day limit has been ignored, the virus soon spreads to 90 and 120 days. Not every David - small business - wants to or can afford to fight Goliath - the government - in court. There is no opportunity for redress while this culture of nonpayment is allowed to continue. Small businesses need all the possible encouragement, mentoring, financial stability and opportunities they can get to survive beyond the first three years. Eliminate the virus! Apply the relevant Acts and hold officials accountable!
We need an economic development plan, which we have, and the National Development Plan to create jobs for poverty relief and a decrease in the income gap. South Africans deserve to and must upgrade from economic struggle to economic freedom.
I want to thank the Ministers for the way in which they presented their budgets today and I want to confirm that they have honoured the status of the NCOP. We appreciate it. Thank you very much. We have had a fantastic debate and we want to say that this House is no longer a rubber stamp. [Time expired.]