Mr Speaker, comrades and hon members, this Budget Vote indeed takes place at a time of heightened expectations and excitement due to the World Cup. We are privileged, both as a country and continent, to be hosting the biggest sporting spectacle.
The APC calls on all South Africans to fully support our national team, Bafana Bafana, and all African teams in the spirit of Pan-African solidarity. The APC hopes that the six African teams will do us proud. Cameroon and Senegal have, in the past, raised the African flag high. These teams have a unique opportunity to raise the flag higher.
Congratulations to government, the SA Football Association, Safa, and the Local Organising Committee on a job well done in preparing for this occasion in a way that will enhance the global standing of our continent and people. Those who have questioned our ability to host a successful World Cup have been resoundingly proven wrong.
Having said that, we cannot, nonetheless, take our eyes off the ball, that is, the continual pursuance of the noble and strategic goals of transformation and good governance. Sixteen years down the line, transformation is still a journey. It cannot be acceptable that significant areas of our socioeconomic life remain untransformed and reflective of the yesteryears of minority domination. It can neither be acceptable nor tolerable that the majority continue to suffer social and economic exclusion.
We fought for freedom to ensure change, change for the better in the lives of the African people in general and the working class in particular. How government resources are used has a great bearing on the material conditions of the people. There continues to be a pressing need to ensure that accountability is accepted and practised as a matter of course. Public administration must serve the people, as outlined in the Constitution and in line with the Batho Pele principles. There must be national consciousness and pride in serving the public.
As the head of state, Comrade President, you have the responsibility to ensure that all of government adheres to and promotes good governance. You have made a call for a culture change in government. We need to see firm action to enforce compliance.
The APC thanks you, Comrade President, for having all parties in Parliament take part in national day rallies. Remember, it was a request from some of us. However, the APC deplores the fact that, on these same days, some leaders organise sideshows, conducting themselves in ways that do not foster the spirit of unity that was called for in the first instance. The APC fully supports this inclusive approach.
We would be failing in our internationalist duties if we did not speak out in support of the oppressed but heroic people of Palestine. Our government must never lower its voice in demanding freedom for the Palestinians and condemning the deplorable conditions of their existence under Israeli oppression. The Palestinians deserve their freedom. Thank you. [Applause.]