Mr Speaker, hon President, best wishes to you. We had very exciting and interesting local government elections. At the results centre the MF noted the profound words expressed about multiparty democracy and multiparty co-operation. I want to make an earnest appeal to you that this must not be tokenism.
In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, since 2009, the premier has had only one multiparty meeting and the multiparty relationship in the Durban Metro has gone into the mud. I would also like to bring to the attention of this House that there is one political party that is intolerant of smaller parties. We must respect the constitutional right of the voter to elect people, irrespective of how big or small they are.
Mr President, I also laud your effort in forging a relationship with Brazil, China and India and also, in the past 72 hours, the effort of our country in Africa, where we could have a GDP, or shall I rather say economic development, worth $3 trillion. The food basket for the future is going to be Africa, undoubtedly. I am very proud of the fact that you are taking the lead in the emergence and development of Africa.
However, the MF is extremely concerned about the enormous mandate of the National Planning Commission and strongly believes that 10% of the entire budget will not do justice to or hasten the process to enhance service delivery.
We want to make the appeal that whatever youth agency comes under The Presidency, we must make sure that every sector of South Africa's population, according to its demographics, is included in every youth structure in this country, and also that they are recipients of benefits, whether it is national, provincial or local government.
The MF strongly advocates that Parliament looks at legislation, called a Youth Employment Bill or Act, and makes sure that our youth are given skills. The National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, said that they would mobilise 500 women towards the 16 Days of Activism for the four quarters of the year. Given that this event only occurs in one month of the year, it will indeed be quite interesting to know how NYDA plans to mobilise women throughout the year, before and after the event.
Japan and Germany have become world economic powers. The United States had a recession in 1933, but came out of it with growth in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, SMMEs, and the informal sector.
There are many grants that are given by government departments, practically every department, and there are acts of complete dishonesty on the part of recipients. There is absolutely no monitoring.
Mr President, the MF wants you to look at one particular important aspect and that is the media. If ever we have learnt a lesson from the local government elections, it is that of the slanted role of the media. There is one TV station in our country that has become the official mouthpiece of the official opposition. [Applause.] The mainstream media must not complain. They have been canvassing for and promoting only one political party in our country.
Enshrined in our national Constitution is the freedom of political association. Quite correctly in the Western Cape, the DA has entered into a coalition with the ACDP. They had a coalition with the ID and they had a coalition with the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal - that is their right. But in KwaZulu-Natal smaller parties were subjected to the filthiest campaign by the DA and the result was that the MF has emerged as the third largest party in the Durban Metro. [Applause.] We must do a lot of soul-searching among the values and principles on which the foundation of our country is built.
Mr President, in spite of all the criticism, you have stood fast, you have stood tall, and you have survived the test of time. [Applause.] [Interjections.] We laud your efforts for peace in South Africa and Africa. All we want is to bring back to every structure in our country the values which Madiba stood for, which iNkosi Albert Luthuli stood for and which the founding fathers and mothers of our country stood for.
Mr President, a bold step into the future is a challenging step to the top. Let us be reminded of the profound words of Madiba: "We must forgive, but not forget." [Applause.] Mahatma Gandhi once said that those who embarked on a journey with vengeance as their goal would leave the whole world blinded. United in our diversity, let's march forward, hand in hand, side by side and never stop until we have delivered all our people from the darkness of poverty into the light of economic opportunities and social development. [Interjections.] The MF will support the Budget Vote. [Applause.]