We trust that the media will find time to seriously conduct introspection and debate such issues internally, as they become defensive and claim press freedom is being violated when such matters are pointed out to them.
Let me remind you of the request by Deputy President Mothlanthe for all sectors to participate effectively in the drafting of the new national strategic plan on HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections for 2012 to 2016. We should work hard to meet the World Aids Day deadline. I join the Deputy President in expressing our gratitude for the support for and recognition of our efforts in fighting HIV/Aids that we have received from the UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, and the Unaids executive director, Mr Michel Sidib. We congratulate all South Africans for progress being made in the fight against Aids.
Minister Trevor Manuel mentioned that South Africa champions the North- South infrastructure corridor, focusing on road and rail, and that the President of the Republic is the champion of the project, assisted by Minister Manuel. Six other heads of state champion other projects under the auspices of New Partnership for Africa's Development, Nepad. As we work towards an African common market, we will need to open these networks to transport goods and services within Africa. The North-South Corridor is the busiest and is one of the key trading routes in sub-Saharan Africa. We will discuss the project further at the AU heads of state summit in Equatorial Guinea at the end of June.
We would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to the "Baby" Springboks, the country's under-20 rugby team, who yesterday won their second game at the Junior World Championship in Treviso, Italy. [Applause.] They scored a convincing 42-26 win over Ireland. We wish them all the best at the tournament. We congratulate Noni Tenge of Mdantsane, the new IBF welterweight boxing champion, who became the first woman from the African continent to win a major world boxing title. [Applause.]
Compatriots, we will continue to focus on improving service delivery and ensuring that people obtain the better life we speak about. We will continue to work hard to achieve a truly equal and nonracial society. We will continue the pursuit of economic freedom and to transform our economy at ownership, management and production levels to ensure that it responds to the development challenges facing the country.
We will continue the pursuit of economic growth that will create jobs for our people and help us reverse unemployment, inequality and poverty. We have done well in 17 years of freedom and democracy. We still have a long way to go to reverse the legacy of centuries of colonial oppression and apartheid. However, working together with our people, we will achieve our goals. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.