I had the privilege, Comrade Deputy Minister, to be led by uMama Albertina Sisulu as publicist secretary of the United Democratic Front, UDF, in KwaZulu-Natal. One of the most telling lessons that she taught us - we saw it in practice here, and it was another privilege to serve with her in Parliament - was the pleasantness with which she dealt with all of us, including the opposition. Even if she disagreed with anyone, us and others, she was never disagreeable in the manner in which she conducted herself. She acted in the traditions of the best of the ANC that we know of, with whom we had the privilege to serve. [Applause.]
We introduced democracy into this country, and even those who throw barbs at us and suggest that we have the intention of being undemocratic, do so because they assume they will appropriate the democracy that we introduced, and we will watch them. We are delighted that you are joining us, because your version of democracy for the rich and the mighty has not worked. This is why the people's version is what is working and it is going to work.
Minister, let me just make my last comments here, because I think I must sit down now. You correctly argue that compliance by departments and government institutions is not adequate. In other words, there must be a dialectical relationship between compliance and performance. The two must walk as two legs because one cannot work alone.
Complying with the law is an important part of enabling you to be in a better position to perform in regard to what people have expected us to do in each of these departments. We have to pay attention to matters of compliance so that people do what they are asked to do, what they have been employed to do, and also do it according to the interests of the people.
This is why our Constitution calls for both a representative and participatory process of democracy. We appreciate this dialogue, because that is what it is, to improve the quality of the management of departments through these assessments and the quality of monitoring the impact of the work of those departments and, finally, of course, to ensure that the mandate of the ANC to build better communities sees the light of day. I thank you. [Applause.]