Minister Collins Chabane once made the fatuous point that we would not be evaluating the individual Ministers, but rather monitoring the system.
Fourthly, Minister Chabane does not set the best example in the very Ministry that should develop an impeccable record of probity and integrity. He has used his official credit card for personal purposes and has failed to respond to parliamentary questions - and he is not alone in this - showing disdain for the parliamentary oversight obligations that we have. It is one thing to praise discipline; it is quite another to submit oneself to it.
I will make two points now about the Ministry of the National Planning Commission, falling under the leadership of Minister Trevor Manuel. Firstly, it is that the National Planning Commission, NPC, is made up of individuals drawn from different sectors inside and outside of government and hired because they are experts in their fields. Planning in the 21st century requires expert knowledge in a mix of fields pertinent to our times. It is a concern that there are no world-class experts in geology, climate change, demography or security serving on the commission. Minister Manuel today promised that such experts are to be brought into the service of the NPC in its deliberations, and that is a very good thing.
Secondly, it is, of course, essential that the NPC does not become a victim of cadre deployment. Most of the members have current or historical ties with the ANC, either by way of government or by way of the political party.