Deputy Speaker, I stand on behalf of the APC to support this budget. The work of this department is very important but, equally, not easy. It is important to note that in part the department is dealing with what was at the core of our subjugation as a people - the underdevelopment of the rural areas and the denial of access to land by our people. We do think that the political leadership of the department are comrades who have a clear appreciation of the challenges of the department. They are people who are willing to be engaged, despite the challenges that are there - and I do not think there is anybody who denies them.
I think it is important for us to support the work of that department, especially the Rural Youth Development Programme, which I believe can and will go a long way in providing the necessary skills to our people in the rural areas. So, as the APC, we want to support the budget and also support our cousins here on the left.