Including Malema, by the way. [Interjections.] Including Malema. So, if you want to join the ANC, come and join the ANC, because it is a voluntary organisation. The privilege and the advantage of joining the ANC is that it is voluntary. You also don't go through a process of interviews, as if you are seeking employment. [Applause.] [Interjections.] That's the difference between us and you. We are an open organisation. We are transparent. [Interjections.]
Hon Lorimer, I think I would like the two of us to meet to talk about the issue of the discretionary powers of the Minister. You will realise that there isn't much power given to this little Minister. So I'm just saying the industry has no problem. I don't know where your concern arises from.
And I think you also need to understand that the Act we are implementing is an Act arising out of consensus. There was never a unilateral approach. It was government. It was business, which is your mining industry as a whole. It was labour in the mining industry. It's a consensus document - the issue of negotiations you find in the spirit of the mining industry. There was never a unilateral approach when it comes to the issues, including section 54. We agreed with all the stakeholders to implement this particular section, section 54. So I'm just saying this is the best industry you could come across for consensus.
I agree with you on the issues of the tax dispensation. As a country we have to be competitive because we are not an island; we belong to the global environment. So I fully agree with you, we can't unilaterally kill this industry. But that is exactly what you are doing. Talk to the people who are giving you information. The industry will tell you exactly how we as the Ministry are approaching the issues of taxes as the sector, as this Ministry. So I'm just saying we will always listen, and we will always make sure we don't contribute to the downfall of this industry. [Interjections.] They have agreed. We agree. So I'm saying to you, you are welcome. If you want to debate the taxation, you can also become an hon comrade in the ANC when we go to the policy conference in June. [Laughter.]
Lastly, I must indicate that there is one more expression which shows us that tripartism works through the mining industry and us. In June we will have a mining lekgotla where we are going to put our heads together on how best to position the mining industry in South Africa and also in the rest of Africa. Join me, Comrade Lorimer, in making sure we make a successful business. Thank you. [Laughter.]
Debate concluded.