Chairperson, I can see that everyone wants to go home and is very happy. I can see the happiness and I can read the mood.
Chairperson and hon members, as we bid one another farewell, this is also an important moment to reflect on the work we have done during the course of the year. As we conclude this year, we can highlight some of the achievements and indicate areas where we need to improve in the new year.
Firstly, through several initiatives we managed to put co-operative government and intergovernmental relations firmly on the agenda of the NCOP. Secondly, we have used the Provincial Week to facilitate and co- ordinate oversight and understand the challenges facing provinces.
However, we need to ensure that the Provincial Week and the Taking Parliament to the People programme talk to each other, especially for the following purposes. Interaction between the NCOP and the provinces has improved greatly. For example, for the first time we now get regular progress reports on section 139 interventions. I want to thank the committee for that; they are doing a good job. [Applause.]
The most recent reports we received this week were progress reports on interventions in the Sunday's River Valley Local Municipality, the Kou- Kamma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape and others. This is important because, as the House, we need to know if the interventions are working and also draw lessons for future actions.
Thirdly, judging by the thrust of the debates in this House, one notes that members share a common understanding of the role of the NCOP as a House that represents the interests of provinces and that has the responsibility to promote co-operation and co-ordination among the three spheres of government.
In March, and as recently as last week, we successfully hosted the Taking Parliament to the People programme in the Limpopo and Free State provinces respectively. What is important is that these were the first activities since we remodelled the programme to provide for more detailed planning and follow-up.
Although we have not yet gone back to check up on progress in the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality, I am happy that work is going ahead amidst some challenges. For example, the plan to build a road and bridge at Mankele by 2010 to replace the makeshift "segwaigwai" [cable car] is said to be under way. Also, a bridge is being planned for the Olifants River.
The Mogale Wa Bagale Technical School has been put on the infrastructure priority list for the 2010-11 financial year and renovations of the Taung High School were expected to start two months ago.
Progress to create a structure to liaise with mines, the community and government is said to be under way and infrastructure development is being unlocked, especially at Atok Mine, where they are targeting 45 households.
However, we still need to see if the reports we continue to get are true reflections of the interventions being made. This must be our priority early next year. We need to go back there and do our work. We, and the committees particularly, need to do report-back visits there.
The configuration of the portfolios of House Chairpersons is beginning to show some positive impact with regard to the management of our work. Although much work still needs to be done to smooth some committee activities, I must commend our administration for beginning to provide more support to the programmes of the institution.
It is important that in rendering support the administration component is informed by the needs of members of this House and not by what the administration thinks members need. Therefore, we need to interact very closely with the members so that we can understand what their needs are in terms of the support they need.
The time has come for delegates to this House to return home for their constituency work and for the end-of-the-year recess. I would like to remind them to remain vigilant during the constituency period by paying particular attention to how government is responding to the call to ensure that we prioritise, among other things, education, health, fighting poverty and creating job opportunities.
I wish to thank fellow presiding officers, the Whippery, the chairpersons of committees and officials for raising the banner of the NCOP even under difficult circumstances. As you have seen at the weekend, for the first time the Sunday Times devoted much space to commenting on our work.
While we do not necessarily agree with them - I agree with Mr Watson that they chose to project our work - it was clear that they appreciated the interventions we made. The more attention they pay to this House, the more they will realise our impact in achieving the medium- and long-term goals, chief among them being the bringing of democracy into action to the people in remote parts of the land as part of our contribution and nation- building.
We will keep on teaching these things until all the people understand how the NCOP functions and works. We should not tire of doing that.
It should be noted that the people and many role-players and stakeholders have expressed support for this programme, not least among these is the Presidency itself. I'm sure you heard the comment of the President on Friday endorsing this programme - that we should continue and that it is a wonderful programme.
I am looking forward to a well-deserved holiday after my last engagement in the second week of December. I wish you the same. May you come back refreshed next year to continue with the wonderful work you are doing for the institution. May God bless you as you go back home and enjoy your holidays with your kids. Thank you very much. [Applause.]