Hon Chair, hon Minister and hon members of this House, it is always easier to debate and discuss resolutions that seem so simple on paper. However, in reality, it is a severe task not only to get under way but to follow through on. South Africa's growing poverty rate is alarming in that it is severely egged on by the unemployment rate. An extensive range of work over the past decade, whether in the form of projects and/or programmes, has revealed the important links between poverty and the environment. Therefore, to ensure that the war on poverty, hunger and socioeconomic marginalisation will be overcome, it is crucial that interlinked circumstances and carefully monitored and reflected policy- making processes, at all levels, are adhered to.
New estimates of poverty show that the proportion of people living in poverty in South Africa has not changed significantly between 1996 and 2001, up until 2008. A study by the Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC, shows that the poverty gap has grown from R56 billion in 1996 to R81 billion, indicating that poor households have sunk deeper into poverty over this period. The fact that poorer households have not shared in the proceeds of economic growth is reflected in the rise in inequality between rich and poor.
Agb Minister, die regulasies van die staat se finansile instellings moet hersien word om dit sodoende meer toeganklik te maak vir die nie- regeringsorganisasies, NRO's, om hierdie groot uitdaging te kan oorwin. Hoe kan ons verwag dat histories-benadeelde mense geouditeerde finansile verslae van twee jaar moet indien om fondse te kan bekom, terwyl ons nie die mense tot ons beskikking het nie? (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Hon Minister, the regulations of the state's financial institutions should be reviewed and in doing so make it more accessible for nongovernmental organisations, NGOs, to overcome this big challenge. How can we expect people who have been historically disadvantaged to submit audited financial reports for two years while we do not have the people at our disposal?]
In a country like South Africa where the standard of living conditions in informal settlements and townships is a serious cause for concern, it is crucial that immediate measures be put in place to evaluate this growing concern. Sadly, the war on poverty, hunger and socioeconomic marginalisation will be a lost cause if key role-players remain immobile and state departments do not pull their weight by supporting and following up on programmes and projects set out to target precisely this topic we are discussing today. Since local municipalities are at the heartbeat of service delivery and the development of our people, it is of utmost importance to build capacity in those very poor municipalities to confront the gap between the rich and the poor.
Hon Minister and hon members, the ID would like to commend all efforts that have been and are being made to catapult the South African economy and reduce the current status of poverty in this country. Let me just state it one way in Afrikaans.
Ons sal nooit armoede uitwis as ons dit nie persoonlik ernstig opneem nie. Sodoende kan ons mense 'n beter lewe kry. [We will never eliminate poverty if we personally do not regard it in a serious light. In doing so, our people will be able to attain a better life.]
I thank you. Ke a leboga. [Applause.]