It is on that basis, Minister, that we say this: As we phase in free education, we must also phase in a new generation of academics, particularly indigenous African academics. That is my point.
There are many issues that will be traversed, but perhaps, in closure, I must touch on a question that was put to me as I came to this debate. It was regarding the judgement by the Labour Court against the Minister on the Setas. Let me say this: I am a politician. The Minister and the Setas are battling it out in the courts, and the message that I understand is that he is far ahead of legislative transformation.
As Parliament we must ensure that the task of transforming the Setas is undertaken and we will do so here. I may not now comment on behalf of the committee because there is an appeal. Otherwise there is no sub judice, my dear, because sub judice is not self-acting. There must be a judicial hearing to judge the appeal. [Interjections.] [Laughter.]
Lastly, there are almost half a million young people out there who have degrees but are unemployed. To the Setas we say: If you want statistics, you must go to the universities and streets to get them. What we as Parliament are waiting for is for you to come and say, "In my sector, I went to all the universities and elsewhere, and we are going to incorporate them in our sector's plan."
Again, as Setas, you have the responsibility to approve a workplace skills plan. It must not be a ritualistic exercise. You must make sure that this industry plan in fact incorporates our people out there and there must be funds in those plans for doctorates, postdoctorate studies and so on, because our economy does not need the cheap labour of my friends on the other side through their companies. [Interjections.] [Laughter.]
Let me end by saying my speech continues through the team I have here, and our advice to those who are in court is this: They should be coming to you and me, saying: "We are jittery about the information we want to introduce, so please assure us." We will do so. That is very, very important. So, as a committee, we are not going to entertain debates about the courts. We will entertain legislation and we will ... [Interjections.] - no, it is coming, I know. I am finished now. [Interjections.]
On the merger process, we would like to say, as a committee, that we support your decision and we will give it a chance. We know that transformation cannot occur in a single flash. Our people will understand it as well. I see Prof Mokgalong in the corner there, who is also a member of Higher Education South Africa, Hesa. We are worried that you are not helping the process, either. [Interjections.] The Minister has given R200 million and we want Hesa to say, as a policy ...