Mr Chairman, I stand here on behalf of my colleague, the hon Makhuba, to deliver the IFP viewpoint in this debate and tender the apology of the hon Makhuba to you and the Minister for being unable to attend this debate.
We, as the IFP, praise the efforts of the department to give substance to the commitment made to transform itself from a paradigm of assistance to one of development. However, we are operating in an environment of increasing financial pressure on the department. [Interjections.]