The year 2010 marks the mid-term of the World Summit on Information Society. In May this year, South Africa will join member countries of the United Nations participating in the global assessment of the progress made in the implementation of the summit outcomes since their adoption in 2005.
Finally, I want to thank my Deputy Minister, Mrs Dina Pule, in absentia, the director-general, and all staff members of the department for the hard work done. To them I say: We must always remember our central theme, which is to ensure that ICTs are used for accelerated service delivery and empowerment. I thank the members of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, under the leadership of Mr Vadi, for providing advice, wisdom and support, especially during my maiden period in office.
I ask this House to approve Budget Vote No 26 of the Department of Communications. Fellow South Africans, my parting words in this historic year of 2010, the year of action, is: Let us show the world and confound our critics. South Africa can pull it off, on and off the field. On the part of those of us in the ICT sector, the ICT infrastructure for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup and the international broadcasting centre will be fully operational before the official kickoff date of 11 June 2010.
Mayihlome Bafana Bafana. Ke Nako! Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.] [Get ready Bafana Bafana. Now is the time! Thank You. [Applause.]]