Chairperson, I want to say to the hon Mulder that the facts are that the ANC is a wonderful organisation. That's what you should have said. [Laughter.]
Hon members, Mr Speaker, Mr President, Deputy President, you have to feel somewhat sad at the words of the hon De Lille. She correctly pointed out that poor legislation had been drafted from time to time, and that this had been thrown out by the Constitutional Court.
She then said that she would defend the Constitution, but it is this very Constitution that gave rise to the court that made the decision. That is a very peculiar defence. She must never be given a bow and arrow, because she will shoot at absolutely the wrong target. [Laughter.] [Applause.] She really is quite frightening.
Commentators and our protagonists in South Africa have developed the rather unfortunate and useless habit of personal attacks rather than coherent articulation of alternative vision and programmes. The incessant personal attacks on President Zuma and his government serve to expose this absence of any concrete plan that has the stature to challenge the vision and programmes placed before the nation and the world by the government led by President Zuma.
In the past week attempts have been made to suggest that our government lacks a vision, policy and practical programmes. Those who took the trouble to read our strategic plans and to follow the Budget Votes know that there are plans, there is implementation, and know that this is a government in action.
Furthermore, this government has a vision, one that is shaped by our nation. It is a vision first articulated by the liberation movements and those formations that actively participated in the struggle for freedom. Their aspirations for a free and democratic South Africa are set out in the Constitution of South Africa, which fully captures the kind of society we wish to build, fully articulates the principles that we believe should characterise and influence our society, and sets out the objectives that we should pursue as we implement our national and international obligations. Our vision is the promotion and full establishment of a united, nonracial, nonsexist, democratic society in which the inherent dignity of every person is honoured, respected, and upheld.
There appears to be confusion between vision and plans in current discourse. There are some who believe that the National Planning Commission will set out a never-before articulated vision in the strategy it will craft. While there is provision for a long-term plan that provides a view of the future South Africa, our vision is the Constitution. The commission will certainly incorporate the founding document of our democracy into their perspective.
Our country continues to be challenged by the need to strive for greater cohesion, stronger unity and a society in which all, irrespective of race, gender, religion, culture and political philosophy, contribute to creating a better society and an improved quality of life for all.
This aspiration is a complex challenge for South Africa, primarily because the dehumanising imprint of our racist past is extremely difficult to dislodge. The task would be easier to pursue if each one of us agreed that the creation of this new society depended on the contribution of every South African and not just on President Zuma, his government or the ANC. Each leader, as she speaks, strengthens or diminishes the values inherent in the Constitution. When we find a person accused and guilty even before they appear in court through our own finding, before there has been a judgment, we offend the Constitution. [Applause.]
When we defend, in whatever manner, South Africans who promote racism, hate speech and violence we diminish our founding document. Each one of us contributes to its status or its diminishing by virtue of our actions and our words - each one of us, each one of us.
The ANC did not create the racism that led to the majority of the people of this country being the poorest, the least educated and the most vulnerable in our society. Thus, it is not their sole responsibility to devise solutions. Opposition parties, the media, the private sector and every individual have a role to play. Since all of us aspire for this new South Africa we have to ask ourselves each day: What have I contributed to this national agenda? [Applause.]
In this regard, the creation of the National Planning Commission must be applauded and welcomed, and we support this aspect and all aspects of the budget of the Presidency. The Presidency, in appointing commissioners, has drawn in men and women - although I would say, Mr President, not enough women - from varied sectors and backgrounds, each of whom can make a significant contribution to the practical realisation of the society our Constitution aspires to.
Creating a nonracial society requires the very solutions and actions that our President has begun implementing. His attention to education, to the programmes in education, particularly his focus on quality and increased access to skills training and to higher education of quality, confirm his attention to the core issues that confront our societies. These interventions and programmes will benefit all schools, all learners and all involved in education and training.
Furthermore, the Presidency has reached out to all communities in our country in a genuine endeavour to strengthen inclusion and to ensure that all communities experience the impact of a caring and responsive government. Of course, much more needs to be done to cement nonracialism and to assure South Africans that all leaders care about all of them, and not just about sections of particular communities.
Nonracialism requires much more than inclusion. It means addressing inadequate employment opportunities and inadequate shelter, and ensuring improved health facilities and improved health status. Again, these are the priorities President Zuma addressed in his budget.
The Presidency has gone well beyond socioeconomic rights and has created the basis for the most vulnerable and neglected to be supported. The creation of the Rural Development department focuses attention on fellow citizens who are generally invisible to many of us today. These communities will have dedicated programmes and policies. We hope that this will lead to rural communities being treated with dignity and care.
A further aspect of response to our national vision of a better society is that of ensuring that the vulnerable in all race groups enjoy access to government services. This is why the President has devoted attention to meeting with communities from all the groups that make up our society to identify their needs with them, and to ensure that they know that this government is a government for all the people. No leader has been as active as the President in reaching out to all of us. [Applause.]
Future success in building a nonracial culture and character in our society requires dedicated attention to all the policies and practices that have the potential to support success. This includes due attention to statements and actions by all leaders. All parties in this House claim allegiance to the Constitution. Thus, building a South Africa that reflects all its aspirations goes well beyond hostility to the ANC. All parties had the opportunity to express their perspective on our freedom at the recent Freedom Day celebrations. Sadly, some of the leaders - some, not all - failed to inspire, but the Presidency must be applauded for opening that space. [Applause.] We trust that parties will build on this example and ensure that in future they also practise inclusion.
A great deal is often said about the need to strengthen the organs of civil society in all sectors of social action. The Presidency has ensured a focus on traditional leadership, religious sectors and sector-based associations. Of course, this is not a new set of activities; it has been a feature of the work of Presidents Mandela, Mbeki, Motlanthe, and now President Zuma.
One of the most encouraging perspectives of South Africa is the evidence of progress that is being made in gender equity. The creation of the new Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities will allow the Presidency to ensure co-ordinated and integrated responses to the promotion of increased gender equity. All of us know that more must be done to stop abuse and violence against women, but it is clear that the Presidency has begun the necessary commitment to resources for this vital obligation.
Of course, culture, religion and language are vital for achieving success in nation-building and in building a society that has shared values and practices. The horror that all South Africans expressed at the disgraceful, forced marriage of children in the Eastern Cape indicates that we are beginning to develop shared values, and that we endorse the vision of our Constitution that the practice of culture and religion must be accompanied by attention to equality and dignity for all.
All these positive responses of the Presidency and the work that is indicated in the budget documents that have been tabled for Parliament by the President, as well as the work carried out by the Deputy President and the Ministers in the Presidency, clearly indicate that there is a national vision in action and an unchallengeable commitment to giving effect to the ideals and aspirations that are at the heart of our country's national vision, our Constitution.
We believe, hon Speaker, that with support for this budget the Presidency will be able to concretely execute its work in ensuring that the Constitution of South Africa remains a living document that visibly and fundamentally alters the lives of the people of our country, so that our wish that all might have a better life is recognised under the leadership of President Zuma. I thank you. [Applause.]