Chairperson, most of the comments about money are not related to the budget and I am not allowed to act on that. [Applause.] Nevertheless, I will encourage Mr Manyi in the next election to form part of the list so that he can respond for himself. [Laughter.] In the meantime, I will encourage members to have tea with Mr Manyi so as to understand him better on a one-on-one basis. [Laughter.]
House Chairperson, I appreciate the comments that have been made by members of the House. There have been lots of suggestions made for us to improve the work we are doing. We will follow up on those. With regard to the distribution of Vukuzenzele to the constituency offices, this is an issue that I need to attend to with all the constituencies. There is another matter that we are going to attend to, and that is the two copies which I am sure they say there are. I can give one to someone else within the institution. They are going to be sent directly to the constituency offices so that members are able to service their constituencies.
On the issue of confusing the state and the ruling party, I am not sure we've had that experience; for those who have had this experience will never agree with you. If you move out of the borders of this country, you will find that many countries do not have what we have and I think we need to begin to appreciate what we have.
There is no point where the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, has ever spoken on behalf of the ANC; that has never happened. Even at the point when government is under attack by the opposition parties we have tried and try to remain neutral, to refrain and not to respond by engaging political parties on that particular issue. Even I myself, as the Minister responsible for the GCIS, I have never attacked political parties, even though I have the right to do so. So we should not confuse you. We are trying to balance this to ensure that the GCIS services the South African government.
Therefore, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that government information reaches the community as a whole, regardless of their political affiliation, regardless of where they are and regardless of their cultural background in all our diversity; that's what we are trying to do. So, we should not ever say the GCIS is being used by the ANC, because it has the right to be used by all spheres of government. Speakers of the ANC have the right to tackle the GCIS in the committees or anywhere else, using the platforms that we have, because these are publicly utilised funds.
We have the responsibility to support our provincial, national and local governments, regardless of the ruling party in that sphere of government. It is our job to support and to give backup without controlling the content of what they want to do, because our spheres of government are governed by different political parties, but the GCIS has to service all of them. As we go to the elections, another party will come in and the GCIS will continue to provide the services required; if it is within the municipality or any sphere of government, the GCIS will come in to assist in ensuring that the municipality or that sphere of government receives the necessary support. Hon Michael, unfortunately I don't know where that gift came from, but I am informed that it came from the ANC. Some advice: in our culture, even if a gift is given by your adversary, if it is given in good faith, you accept it; but if you don't want it, you can return it to the address they have provided or send it to the ANC. It is part of the promotional materials that the ANC does from time to time give to international communities, businesses and the sporting world to instill interest in South Africa. I think it was done in good faith. It was thought important for them to encourage Members of Parliament, especially those who are involved in their work, to know what they are doing, but if you don't want it, you can bring it to me. I will take it. My office is open. Thank you very much. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
Debate concluded.