"Remember your power." This is one of the slogans used in the 49M campaign launched by Eskom in March last year. This campaign is supported by government and the private sector to encourage people to conserve electricity and help reduce South Africa's carbon footprint.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said:
We each have it within our power to make an individual difference to energy efficiency. Working in partnership to save energy, all South Africa's people can guarantee a better future.
With that in mind, members of the ANC put a question to 34 Ministers in September 2011, asking them whether their departments and the entities reporting to them had implemented any energy-saving practises or devices for buildings, offices and boardrooms in the 2010-11 financial year. To date, four Ministers have responded and we eagerly await the outstanding replies.
The call to action is for every South African to lift a finger. This is all it takes to switch off a light. If you are not using it, switch it off.
As MPs it is incumbent upon all of us to lead by example in this campaign. It is vital to drive the country's economic and development growth and to share it with everybody you come into contact with. Remember your power. [Applause.]