Chairperson, this year's topic for our human rights debate is "Recognition of inherent dignity and equality: The foundation of freedom, justice and peace".
In a year that sees a municipal election being held, it is most appropriate that Parliament debates the protection of dignity and equality for all South Africans and behaves in a manner that exemplifies a Parliament that is committed to the protection of the fundamental values of freedom, justice and peace.
Allow me to use this opportunity to remind South Africans how important the right to vote is. Too many South Africans have lost their lives to ensure that we have this right, for us not to exercise it. We have a responsibility to ensure that we do not waste our most valuable right.
The Preamble of our Constitution states, and I quote:
We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
Our diversity is a great strength and we as South Africans, must stand firm and refuse to allow any person, regardless of his or her position in government, to allow in any way that rifts be caused on the basis of race, culture or ethnicity.
Freely elected South African public representatives adopt our Constitution, which entrenches our right to equality, human dignity, life, freedom, security of person, freedom of association and political rights, amongst other things.
It gives me great pleasure to remind the House that in the very province in which our President intimated that anyone not voting ANC would not make it to the proverbial Pearly Gates, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs declared Baviaans municipality, the only DA-run municipality in the Eastern Cape, to be the best service-delivering municipality in that province. It is quite simple. Service delivery ensures protection of human rights. Where services aren't delivered, human rights are not protected.
We as South Africans must stand tall and stand proud. We have one of the world's finest constitutions. Embrace it and, above all, protect it!
We are South African, we are the rainbow nation, we are the very meaning of the word "ubuntu". South Africans, demand your right to a government that delivers for all. Thank you. [Applause.]