Chair, to the chairperson and members of the committee, thank you very much for supporting our Budget Vote; that is also an indication that in working together with the committee, we can do better and more. Thank you very much, chairperson, especially for the stewardship you have shown in leading this portfolio committee; it is getting better every day and it is becoming the best. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
I would like to thank hon Marais. I think he understands the issues of the mining sector. The issues that he raised are issues of concern to us and we will continue working with him in making sure that issues of mine health and safety are for all of us to deal with. We have got to continue working together and we cannot politic around those issues.
I would also like to thank hon Bikani. Thank you very much, hon member, for speaking to the issues of mine health and safety. We are currently investigating occupational health matters, as they are very close to our hearts. We have done research and we will soon - somewhere in September - be having a tripartite summit with the intention of addressing these issues. We want to make sure that the mining sector becomes as safe as it can be. It is now branded as a sector of preference in our economy.
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to hon Ditshetelo. I want all of us in the House to look behind us. Look at the seats behind or in front of you. Are these the elite? [Interjections.] Are these the elite? What does transformation mean in this country? When it is black or African, then it is elite!
This is a process we have not yet completed. We said in 2009 that when it came to the charter we had achieved 9% of the 26% to be attained by 2014. This is an achievement, and it is a process - it is not an event! [Applause.] It is a process; it is not an event.
How can you transform your economy when you refer to these geologists or mining engineers who are now participating in ownership as the elite? It is unacceptable. Let us not undermine our people as they make progress. [Applause.] These same people read the Acts, the charter and the objectives of being broad-based. This is a process and it has been 17 years, as against out of over a hundred years when the mining industry was not transformed. What do we mean? What do we say? We must be realistic, but we must not be opportunistic, and we must also not insult our people. It is wrong, it is despicable, and we cannot afford to have that. Let us change our language, because what we are doing is labelling people unnecessarily where there is progress.
Let us appreciate the good work that is being done by our people. Let us give ourselves 20 years and see where the mining industry will be. We are addressing many issues that are a legacy of the past. We must do that. Please, hon member, recognise good work and good intentions in uplifting our people in South Africa. [Applause.] I now turn to the hon Schmidt. The ruling in the Agri SA case goes against transformation of our communities; hence we are appealing the decision. We cannot go back to a situation where we tried to reconcile and bring people together and we found that the situation tended to divide us - it is very dangerous. It is very, very dangerous! Therefore, I am saying we should be careful.
Ask yourself why Julius is calling for the nationalisation of the mines. Ask yourself! Ask yourself that! I am not calling for it. Ask yourself why Julius is going that route.