The distribution of authority to other government bodies or levels can never restrict the authority of the national government to exercise its authority. The distribution of authority in a unitary state is never so extensive or entrenched that any authority is exercised totally independently of the national government and that national government is irrevocably divested of such authority.
Notwithstanding the unparalleled historic achievements of the ANC government to date in transforming the lives of South Africans, we must consider whether now is not the appropriate time to review the present legislative and constitutional structures pertaining to governance and to assess whether, in their current form, they are conducive to achieving the developmental objectives of a unitary state. [Interjections.] On this point, Comrade Ben Turok will agree with me because he penned it. We should bear in mind that a developmental state needs to be constructed with strong core institutions, capable of driving development. [Applause.]