Hon Chairperson, hon Deputy President, hon premiers and Ministers - all protocol observed. I agree that the government has achieved a lot, but listening to the cries of our people, there are still challenges. It is unacceptable that, 16 years into our democracy, basic services such as water, health care and electricity are not provided to our people.
Youth development is also a very important issue. How is youth development addressed in this area? Is there any record of the bursaries awarded by government to youth in this area, for them to further their studies and equip themselves for a better future for them and their families? Are there any records of initiatives to train the youth to become entrepreneurs and start their own businesses? Education is the key to developing our people.
Community participation is also essential for development. Seeing that there are so many problems with service delivery in this area, the question must be asked whether the community is involved in the integrated development plans, and specifically whether they have a say in the drawing up of the budget in this area. Are the integrated development plans reviewed on an annual basis? Serving our communities is not simply doing them a favour: It is a privilege and an obligation.
How serious is the government about monitoring service delivery in the light of rumours? For example, in this area there is an empty hospital with equipment, but no nurses. The Bible says: In the counsel of many, there is wisdom. Local government, especially some municipalities in provinces such as the Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and even here in Limpopo, are accused of bad management and continuous stealing and corruption. Yet those managers, the CEOs and CFOs, are still there.
Mining companies must be held accountable for social development in the areas where they are planning to mine, even before they start to mine.
Dit wil vir my voorkom asof die regering op nasionale vlak, sowel as op provinsiale en plaaslike vlak, nie die pleidooi van ons mense ernstig opneem nie. Hoe lank moet ons mense wag om regtig die vrugte van die stryd teen apartheid te kan pluk? Dit wil vir my voorkom asof ons skuil agter die woord "kapasiteit". [Tyd verstreke.] Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[It seems to me that the government at national as well as at provincial and local levels is not taking the pleas of our people seriously. How long must our people wait before they can start to benefit from the struggle against apartheid? It seems to me as if we are hiding behind the word "capacity". [Time expired.] Thank you.]