Sorry - 2 February 1990. I want to draw a parallel between Botha not crossing the Rubicon and the debate that we are having today. The reality is that we are on the brink of crossing the energy Rubicon, but we are not yet there.
If we look at the strategic plans of the department, they speak about many interesting and laudable things. I would like to quote one point from the strategic plan for 2011, which states:
Firm decisions will have to be made going forward regarding coal-based electricity generation and the refining capacity of our petroleum products ...
In terms of those two issues, I am afraid that we are not getting there. Now I must agree with you that there are many positive aspects and, as somebody coming from the Northern Cape - it seems that today hon Gamede and I are speaking on behalf of our provinces - I am happy to have a similar part in Upington.
I think it is very good that we hear that there is an additional 1 000 MW that is anticipated for alternative energy in the IRP for 2010.
It is very good to hear about the liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, programme. That is positive.
I am a strong proponent of supporting the development of the nuclear facility at Thyspunt and I really think that government must move forward with that.
I am not going to speak on the positive things because I do not have a lot of time. For me, it is about the things the Minister did not speak about, and where government, in my and in my party's perception, has not crossed the energy Rubicon.
In your contribution today, hon Minister, you said nothing about the renewable energy feed-in tariff, or Refit, model. The Refit model is an integral part of this country's sustainable energy solution. It seems that the Refit model has now become a bit of a swear word in this environment. Nobody wants to invest if they do not know what the Refit model is, by which the independent energy producers will be in a position to sell the energy to the national network.
The second issue that you did not raise, hon Minister, is that of Project Mthombo, the refinery.