Deputy Speaker, the ACDP believes South Africans must stand and work together to develop our country into an economic powerhouse that will take Africa out of what appears to be entrenched and endemic poverty. We need to agree on how to achieve our shared goals together while dealing with noticeable cracks in our relationships as citizens.
We must find ways of correcting the ever-growing island of prosperity in the sea of poverty. Ways must be found to narrow the gap between the haves and the have-nots and the rich and the poor. It is worrying to hear that more than 90% of shareholders of a company voted for a 40% pay hike for their nonexecutive directors, while the same shareholders would never agree to ordinary workers getting the same 40% pay hike. This kind of attitude works against the prosperity for all that we are all aspiring to as it only increases the gap between the rich and the poor.
The power of unity was demonstrated superbly by the recent High Court judgment that halted the contentious R20 billion e-toll project in Gauteng. While the ACDP appreciates the fact that road improvements and maintenance must be financed by users, we do not agree with the way Sanral and government went about it. Their arrogant and bullying tactics were provocative, to say the least.
We believe good sense has prevailed in the face of mounting opposition from the labour movement, political parties and other interest groups. Credit must be given to Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi for breaking rank with his alliance partners and organising a protest march in opposition to the e-tolls. Yes, indeed, unity is strength. While the ACDP appreciates that the High Court ruling is just a temporary reprieve, we nevertheless believe that this is a significant victory for united and mass opposition. We must unite and work together to review the charges that Sanral has undemocratically tried to impose on Gauteng motorists. If we succeed, we will have made great strides towards achieving unity and prosperity for all. Thank you.