Thank you very much, House Chairperson. I think it is important that we create thematic discussions and debates in order to get the country to report about the progress of programmes that have been undertaken.
The example that I was outlining is Operation Clean Audit. KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and other provinces have done very well in terms of turning things around. The province where there is some regression is the Eastern Cape. This is something for which we must create a platform and MECs must come and tell us what is happening in their areas. That will enable the House to become a national platform through which we can gauge progress in the country as things are unfolding. This is something that we must be looking at so that the House can be alive.
As I said earlier, one of the things that we will be taking up is the participation of the executive committee in this House; that is a source of concern. It is their House, but if they abandon their own House, where are they going to be? This House was created as a national platform on which provincial issues must be discussed. I think we must find a way to ensure that people are participating.
I think the NCOP and Parliament must assess whether it is correct that members of the legislature are sent by the executive to represent it. Is it correct for a person who does oversight to speak as if he or she is an executive committee member? [Interjections.] Are we not undermining the separation of powers doctrine when we do that? We must come with a ruling on this matter because people come to this House and do this. As far as I'm concerned, it is something that we must be clear about. If an MEC is unable to come, that particular MEC must ask another MEC to come and speak on his or her behalf. This is something that must be looked at, as we move forward.
Another issue which is important to us - I think all of us agree - is the issue of corruption. Corruption is a cancer that is eating the fabric of our society. It is something that all of us must deal with because, if we don't, we are going to drown. We will be a failed state like others in other parts of the world where corruption was not dealt with. We must mobilise against it and deal with it.
We must also agree that, in order for us to realise a nonracial and nonsexist society, local government is key. Local government issues are not political; they are about water, electricity, roads and everything else that is required. We must ensure that we rise above politics and ensure that the aggrieved and the aggressor are able to work together; the governed and the governor are able to address their issues so that we can unleash the potential of South Africans. We must remove people who are gatekeepers. We must remove people who don't want others to contribute in the discourse. For example, if you differ with me, there is no reason that I must not hear your views. It is always important that we attend to diversity.
What is our strategic task in this debate? We want to create a system of local government that is efficient and effective in the way it does its work. However, at the same time, it must be accountable and responsive. When people raise issues with you, you must attend to them. Don't ignore them because the anger is bottled up and then explodes at some point.
Furthermore, local government matters are everybody's business. All of us must make a contribution. I would like to hear of a situation where members report about the municipalities in which they stay so that we could take up the issues. That's the only way we can transform it. We, as the executive, can't solve all these problems. It is in partnership with you that we can begin to solve these problems.
With regard to traditional affairs, we must ensure that the voice of the rural people is heard. It's high time that rural people are heard in policy development, legislative crafting, planning, budgeting and implementation. We are talking about 21 million people who stay in these areas. Out of the population of 48,5 million people, that force can't be ignored.
Therefore we must ensure that our people are heard and the issue of unity in diversity is addressed. People tend to believe that if a person doesn't look and behave like them, then he or she is not supposed to be a better person. Others are using their norms and standards to judge others. We are saying that that time is over. People must be able to practice their own cultures and ensure that they do what they want, as long as that is not offensive to the Constitution and the laws of the country. Therefore when we talk about unity in diversity, we will be able to contextualise that.
In conclusion, House Chairperson, we believe that the NCOP is the bedrock of our democratic system. We must always, at all times, ensure that we strengthen it in the way that we do things and interact with this House. As the department, we look forward to the meeting, which we said we must have, so that we can begin to confer and share ideas. This will enable us to take this House to another level. By so doing, we will leave a legacy of a House which is really at the heart and minds of South Africans. Thank you very much, Chairperson. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.