Deputy Chairperson, permanent delegates to the NCOP, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Parliament is the epicentre of our democracy. It is the most significant institution and carries distinctive and unique attributes that are instrumental in measuring the functioning and strength of our democracy.
It is for this reason that the ANC regards the Parliament Budget Vote as one of the most important debates in our Parliament, because it speaks directly to the resources and systems that we put in place to ensure a functioning democracy.
The Parliament Budget Vote is significant for two reasons: Firstly, it is a statement about the administrative support that Parliament has put in place to support the constitutional mandate of Parliament and the work of the Members of Parliament, political parties and provincial delegations.
Secondly, it outlines the facilities and support that Members of Parliament, political parties and, most importantly, provincial delegates have in order to do their work as the elected representatives of our people and the representatives of our various provinces. In this regard, this Budget Vote is an expression of the investment that we are making as a nation in our democracy, particularly in building a robust and vibrant Parliament that is the voice and vanguard of our hard-earned democracy. We have declared, as the NCOP, that we are the voice of the people.
The ANC's approach to legislative matters is encapsulated in the Freedom Charter. The Freedom Charter's bold averment that the only basis for a government to justly claim authority is the will and concerns of the people it purports to govern. As such, our Parliament has evolved into a responsive and effective instrument for supporting the work of Members of Parliament. It is this support that has strengthened the oversight function of parliamentary committees and increased public participation awareness and involvement in Parliament's activities.
Over the past decade Parliament has developed a number of programmes and projects to educate citizens about the role and processes of Parliament and has undertaken initiatives to bring Parliament closer to the citizens. We can say without any fear of contradiction that we have truly built a people's Parliament that is driven by the needs of our people. We have seen a remarkable improvement in public engagement with our Parliament. Our Parliament continues to be the national forum for the representation of the needs and issues facing our people.
Hon Chairperson, we are proud of the progress you have made in building a unique institution that serves as a forum for the representation of the needs of communities. Hon Chaane talked about us putting our hands into our pockets. If we want this to happen, and really become representatives of our communities, we need to be financed so that we need not put our hands into our own pockets. Irrespective of which political party you come from, the communities out there need our assistance
The NCOP continues to define itself, its place and role through its ongoing national efforts to meet the most urgent and pressing needs of our people. Through this oversight work, in which we continue to ensure that people receive quality services, our nation remains on the national path to dismantle apartheid-engineered settlement. That is why we have programmes like Taking Parliament to the People.
As the ANC we are concerned that the allocation in the Parliament Budget Vote does not prioritise the facilitation of public involvement as it should. As an institution whose work is legislation through public consent, more should be done to find ways to capacitate ordinary South Africans to participate in the legislative and other fundamental processes. This can be done by intensifying our provincial weeks, and making them a priority of this House so that our people out there can have their week of participating in Parliament.
The support from the Whippery - and now I am going to speak about the Whippery as a member of the Whippery - in terms of support to Members of Parliament and tools of trade is one aspect on which we would like to see greater improvement. We would like to see decisive programmes to strengthen the support given to MPs to undertake their political work. As the Whippery, we would really like to request urgent attention to be given to the role of Parliament in supporting provincial weeks which, in terms of the mandate of the NCOP, have an institutional role in fostering greater interaction between the NCOP and provinces. I must say that the activities of the Whippery remain an unfunded mandate. Provincial weeks receive no support from Parliament, except for the allocation from the office of the Chief Whip. In many instances our requests to go and learn more take long to be acknowledged and received. We would like Parliament to look into that.
Administrative support to provincial weeks is not only on an ad hoc basis, but completely inadequate and often not available and nonfunctional. The work of the provincial Whips is largely supported by the office of the Chief Whip, as I have said, and by the liaison officer, which is really not acceptable. Facilities for members are unco-ordinated and scattered all over various offices, and often depend upon the discretion of officials who at times display poor understanding of the work of parliamentarians. Parliament is yet to develop a policy for the provision of facilities such as cellphones and laptops that are provided once in five years. In many cases, these cellphones and laptops last for two years, and Members of Parliament are left with no choice but to use their own funds to replace them. This cannot go on; change has to come. We need to receive the necessary support.
Hon Chairperson, we actually also need to say that, as you assist with these tools of trade, let them be modern. As Members of Parliament, we cannot keep on carrying the big laptops. We need things that are modern, like iPads and all such things that, as that will assist us a lot. [Interjections.] [Laughter.]
The Budget Vote should respond to the nature and complexity of the challenges posed by the interdependence of characters today in the global world. It caters for the expanded involvement of our Parliament in bilateral and multilateral exchanges with parliamentarians on the African continent and across the world. As we look at our interdependence with other countries and work globally, it says to me that we must be able to reach the level of those people. I am not trying to compare us with other countries, but please look into it and check if we are really on par with other countries.
I am just giving an example. I am not going to talk about it. Hon Chaane spoke about the salaries, for instance, and other tools, like cars. We only receive an allowance, add-on which we are also taxed.
As I conclude, let me say that we recognise and pay tribute to the tireless efforts and visionary leadership of the current and former presiding officers. Allow me again to take this opportunity to congratulate the Secretary to Parliament, Mr Zingile Dingani and his colleagues, and say that we are truly grateful to the officials that continue to ensure that this Parliament succeeds in its mandate. The ANC supports this programme. Thank you. [Applause.]