Thank you, Deputy Chairperson. Democracy has been labelled by many as a sacred instrument in the existence of modern nations. Churchill said that, "... democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried from time to time". We have a democracy in South Africa, although some claim that it is a pseudo-democracy manipulated by the ANC to bamboozle citizens time after time to vote for them in anticipation of the so-called better life for all. [Interjections.]
What we experienced fulfilling the NCOP's mandate in terms of our oversight during the visit to the Free State was a week-long complaint session where the citizens bemoaned weak service delivery, dysfunctional municipalities, a breakdown of their relationship with the councillors, no jobs and economic opportunities and a government far removed from the people.
It is not enough that citizens of the country have the opportunity to vote every five years and then have to rely for their daily survival on promise after promise by government officials arriving in black cars as they are escorted by a blue light brigade. South Africans deserve better. This visit must be a wake-up call for all of us. Despite numerous undertakings, very few, if any, follow-up visits were done and a action plans implemented to remedy some of these crises identified.
However, we cannot debate this topic today and not draw on the similarities regarding developments in the Arab world. Incidents of violence and protests, very similar to the events that have led to regime changes in Tunisia and Egypt, have already started to emerge in these past days in South Africa. [Interjections.]
Tunisia and Egypt also had democratic dispensations that bordered on a pseudo-democratic party. Their leaders and governments, not long ago, proudly proclaimed - like in South Africa - that they and their government would govern to the end of time. [Interjections.] Those leaders also proclaimed with pride that if you supported them and what they believe, you would have a free pass to heaven. We now know that the people of Tunisia and Egypt took their fate into their own hands; their previous leaders and presidents are now history. This happened not through a democratic transition but a revolution that culminated in celebrations on Tahrir Square in Egypt. These dramatic events are not over yet and will have a rolling effect, even in South Africa.
The reality is that, if we do not act on what we have experienced in the Free State and see every day in terms of neglected service delivery, the protests that started in Tunisia will determine the future of South Africa. [Interjections.] Neither the ANC, nor the Democratic Alliance nor the Congress of the People will stop that wave of change fuelled by disillusioned and marginalised citizens of this country. Every elected representative and government official must realise that the moment of truth is here. The report and recommendations of the visit to the Free State must be a defining moment whereby government says, "We hear you and we will act swiftly." I thank you. [Applause.]