Hon House Chairperson, hon Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Deputy Minister Nxesi, hon members, distinguished guests, hon Makhubela is correct when he talks about inner demons ...
... xa sithetha ngomhlaba. Ndibona nendlela abenza ngayo ekudala bahlala nomhlaba. Mabaxole ngoba iza kwenzeka le nto iza kwenzeka. [... when we talk about land. I notice the way those who owned land a long time ago behave. They must just live with it, because change is inevitable.]
The ANC election manifesto of 2009 on rural development that emanates from the resolutions adopted at the 52nd national conference organised in Polokwane in 2007, commits government to implement the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, CRDP, in order to address poverty eradication, provide employment opportunities, reduce inequality and provide support for sustainable livelihoods, as my chairperson has alluded to. The Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, as a national project of government with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform as a catalyst and facilitator, should ensure that rural development programmes take place at the required depth and scope.
It is for these reasons that we strongly believe that if the CRDP is correctly implemented, it can facilitate processes to address the specific and prioritised needs of the communities in rural areas, ranging from clean running water, decent shelter, to proper sanitation and enterprise development support, based on the three strategic pillars which are: agrarian transformation, rural development and land reform.
As we participate in this Budget Vote we should remind ourselves that the dawn of the fourth term of the democratic Parliament was welcomed with a broad consensus that this term ought to be an activist Parliament.
Implicit in this new-found character is the resolution to energetically and proactively lead national discourse, champion the interests of South Africans and conduct robust oversight on the mandate of the executive, without fear or favour, in order to ensure optimal delivery of basic services to citizens.
Rural development and land reform, which are priorities of government, are indeed on our own priority list when it comes to our oversight work. By the end of this term we would like to see a marked improvement in how government responds to the developmental challenges in rural areas. This is important because we need to stop the movement of many of our people from rural to urban areas, only to realise that they do not have the skills to participate in urban economic life.
The Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs received briefings from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform on its policy and budget, Vote 33. At its meeting with the department the select committee agreed, to monitor, among other things, the CRDP, which is an important intervention towards realising the department's objectives.
Informed by the mandate of the ANC from the electorate, there is a need for the department to support the development of sustainable and vibrant rural communities with all the amenities which are necessary to support the quality of life in a rural area.
It is a fact that many of our rural villages today do not have many of these amenities such as water, roads, electricity, etc. In fact, these facilities are associated with urban life and not with the needs of people, irrespective of where they reside. This teaches us about the comprehensive nature of land and agrarian reform as we pursue it in South Africa.
As the Freedom Charter declares:
The land shall be shared among those who work it. Restrictions of landownership on a racial basis shall be ended, and all the land redivided amongst those who work it to banish famine and land hunger.
Therefore, with rural development the exodus to cities will come to an end, as rural areas will be self-sustaining. The rural development programme aims to create vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities by focusing on land reform and cultivation.
Land is central to the implementation of government's comprehensive rural development strategy. In this context, allow me to remind the Minister that the issue of land claims is still a challenge in the provinces. This needs our undivided and collective attention.
In conclusion, I want to thank the Minister for the wonderful work that he has done and for intervening in some areas in my province, KwaZulu-Natal.
When we talk about rural development we are referring to the communities that were always left behind and not focused on. We urge an urgent and quick response to our concerns.
Ukukhala akupheli, Mphathiswa. Singamameli aba bakhalayo kanti bebezuza kuqala. [Complaints do not come to an end, Minister. Let us not listen to those who are complaining but were previously benefiting.]
The ANC supports the Budget Vote of the department. Thank you. [Applause.]