Chairperson, you can see that everybody is very happy and pleased that I am standing up.
Let me tell hon Watson that people are always addressing me as Senator Bloem. You see, in 1994, when we came here, I was the first person of my former home, the ANC, to address the Senate at that time. Go to the Hansard. You will see I am referred to as Senator Bloem. I will die as Senator Bloem. [Laughter.]
Let me first start by acknowledging the very good work that our Chairperson, hon Mahlangu, is doing. He is a very effective person. He tries to accommodate all political parties whenever he engages with them. That is why we, from the other parties, also give him the necessary co- operation. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
I want to make it very clear that I am not trying to be a praise singer or an imbongi for the Chairperson, but when it comes to the truth, you must always speak it, especially with a person like this.
I want to raise a very important issue, namely the visibility of this House. I said it last year and I will repeat it. There is a perception out there among the public that Parliament is the National Assembly. That is wrong. That is why we see the NA staff also in the gallery here today.
Even the media out there are treating us as if we do not exist in Parliament. They don't care about the fundamental issues raised by people like Mr Watson or Mr Tau. They don't take it seriously. I am saying that we in this House must make very serious efforts to bring this misperception to the attention of our people. We must imprint it in them - in schools, in churches and everywhere and to everybody - that Parliament does not consist only of the National Assembly.