In a month's time, football fans from across the globe will descend on our shores in their multitudes. They will come to witness the first ever historic Fifa World Cup tournament held on African soil. If ever there was a time for South Africans to come together in solidarity and embrace Bafana Bafana, this is the time. Here is a gift-wrapped opportunity to forge national unity and cohesion.
While the vuvuzelas cannot score goals, seeing all of South Africa blowing on them will lift our football stars to great heights of achievement in their opening encounter with Mexico, as well as ensure that we reach the second round. Once they clear this hurdle, I have no doubt that, instead of aiming at the treetops, they will begin to aim for the stars. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we must seize with both hands.
That the infrastructure is ready is a matter of great pride. We now need to focus sharply on logistical issues: integrated public transport; security; fan parks; and accommodation, to name but a few. For ordinary men and women, there will be an opportunity to derive economic benefit to the extent that is possible. For government, the imperative is to make certain that in the action of both business and government, we do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Tourists must be protected; they must not be overcharged, so that, by word of mouth, they can spread the appeal of South Africa all over the world.
As we prepare for this world spectacle, we should not lose sight of the bleak reality that confronts our people. Four in ten of those who could be employed are jobless. What this means in terms of suffering is unimaginable. While men are also badly affected in this regard, women and the youth are hardest hit.
We agree, as you indicated, that social grants are very important in helping to ameliorate the situation of the poor. However, we believe that it is important to move beyond simple issues of social grants. While South Africans welcome those social grants, what they need more is secure and sustainable jobs.
People want to emerge out of the poverty in which they are mired. Many have no water, sanitation and shelter. To add to their misery, they are also frequent victims of violent crime. This is where government should be targeting its spending. This has to be government's priority. However, government expenses are ballooning because of executive expenditure on luxury sedans, five-star hotel accommodation, the increase in the size of presidential spousal office ... [Interjections.]