Hon Deputy Speaker, as the year draws to a close, it is time for us, as is the custom, to review the progress made, thus far, and bid farewell to hon members as we come to the end of this year's session. This has been a very busy year for all of us, particularly for new members who have had much to learn and adapt to; they have certainly had to hit the ground running and keep on running.
The new government has effected several changes to the structure of ministries and government departments; and therefore we have to align some of the committees accordingly. This has been no minor task, so we acknowledge with thanks the work of the National Assembly Table staff and the committee section in this regard.
I would like to touch briefly on some of the highlights of the Fourth Parliament and to report on the progress made on certain issues. Members would have noticed that the policy imperative document setting out the strategic framework, including the vision and the strategic objective, has been tabled.
The strategic framework was developed and based on the provision set out in the Constitution and the numerous planning sessions that were conducted in both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. These planning sessions included active participation and direction by the presiding officers, office bearers, political parties and members.
Of course, the strategic framework highlights the vision of the Fourth Parliament, which is to build an effective peoples' Parliament that is responsive to the needs of the people and driven by the ideal of realising a better quality of life for all the people of South Africa.
Under the leadership and stewardship of the Deputy Secretary, Mr Coetzee, and the House Chairperson, hon Bapela, the implementation of the oversight and accountability model adopted by the National Assembly earlier this year, is progressing well; and we thank them.
The Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act of 2009 will extend the scope of our oversight framework. However, its implementation is a complex and intricate matter that will involve a range of institutional reforms. A political task team has been established and is led by the House Chairpersons and the committees on finance and appropriations.
Not without controversy, Parliament has also facilitated appointments to the SA Human Rights Commission, the Board of the SA Broadcasting Corporation and oversaw the appointment of a new Public Protector. We wish them all well and success in their endeavours within their respective institutions. Our thanks must go to the Ministers, chairs of committees and all the members who participated in ensuring that this and other business was dealt with properly.
We have successfully concluded important business of Parliament, for example, the state of the nation address of 2009 and the mid-term Budget. We've also had three sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. Firstly, we celebrated Mandela Day; secondly, yesterday, we welcomed new Chief Justice Ngcobo and bid a fond farewell to Chief Justice Langa; and lastly, on Tuesday, we discussed the preparations for the Fdration Internationale deFootball Association, Fifa, 2010 Soccer World Cup. This is testimony to the fact that Parliament is a national forum for public consideration of issues of importance to our people.
We will also remember that during the answers to the President's state of the nation address Fifa presented the Confederations Cup trophy to President Zuma. This was a highly symbolic gesture designed to illustrate the connection between the people's game, soccer, and the peoples' Parliament. At that time, President Zuma wondered aloud whether we shouldn't keep the Cup; and he was politely advised that we could, indeed, but only after winning on the ground; we nearly did. We hope that in the World Cup we will do even better.
Parliament has hosted a number of incoming delegations from strategic partners in the international community, this includes, amongst others, high level delegations from the People's Republic of China and the Speaker from Nigeria. These and other delegations have interacted with parliamentarians as a component of the expanding role which the national Parliament is playing in pursuit of our strategic objectives in bilateral and multilateral forums.
At domestic level, we hosted a delegation from the Royal Bafokeng nation led by Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi. This visit was the first of its kind and they expressed appreciation for the opportunity to interact with our national Parliament.
The World Cup will focus considerable attention on South Africa next year. The programme of Parliament for 2010 had to take into account the World Cup tournament and this means that our work in the first and the second terms has to be programmed to ensure that Parliament adjourns in time for members to be a part of this important event. We anticipate a huge influx of visitors as well as many international television crews whose platform will beam images of our country to television screens across the world. I suspect that here, in Parliament, our hands will be full. I encourage you all to rest well over this holiday period in anticipation of a full programme in the next session.
The excitement of the Fifa 2010 World Cup cannot destract from the very important business we still have to do. In the next session, we will continue to give in-depth consideration to the legacy issues from the third Parliament. These include the report of the Independent Panel Assessment of Parliament as well as the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Chapter 9 and Associated Institutions.
The Third Parliament adopted a resolution that required the Speaker to establish a unit to support the National Assembly in co-ordinating its work with institutions supporting democracy. The Office of the Speaker is in the process of establishing the unit, which we envisage will be up and running by April 2010 as the budget requested is being approved for 2010-11.
The Space Utilisation Project addresses the acute shortage of office space for parliamentarians; the presiding officers of Parliament have agreed to prioritise the need for an office block for members.
On the issue of unanswered questions, we have raised this matter with the Leader of Government Business and this House. He gave the undertaking that this would be attended to. And, certainly, we will - together with him - ensure that this receives priority. [Applause.]
We also lost some Members of Parliament during the course of the year. This included Ms Shoba, who died on 9 May 2009 at the inauguration of President Zuma, and Mr F G Masango, who died on 18 October 2009. We also recognise the passing of former Members of Parliament, which include Prof Du Toit; Mr M J Monaphala; Mr J P (Past Four) Phungula; Mr Ginyizembe Mpehle; Mr P O Moloto; and Imam Hassan Solomon on 28 October 2009. We'll remember these individuals and their contributions with affection and a sense of profound sadness and loss.
Finally, I wish to thank the Deputy Speaker, Ms Nomaindiya Mfeketo, for her support and dedication; and the House Chairpersons, Mr Obed Bapela, Mr Ben Skosana and Ms Mildred Oliphant for their contribution to the work of the Office of the Speaker. My thanks also go to the Secretary to Parliament, Mr Zingile Dingani and the Deputy Secretary, Mr Mike Coetzee, who lead this administration of hardworking and dedicated officials. Our best wishes go to all of them during this festive season.
Although this is the last plenary of the National Assembly, committee work continues next week. Members will have the opportunity to reconnect with their constituencies before breaking for annual leave on 11 December. Hon members, please drive safely and take care and relax with family members and friends.
I hope you return refreshed and ready to continue the sterling oversight work which started this session. I also, on your behalf, wish to convey our best wishes to Deputy Minister Zoliswa Kota-Fredericks and her driver who are both in a serious condition in hospital. We wish them a speedy recovery. I wish you all safe trips home. Let me finally apologise that we won't have an official farewell dinner due to budget constraints. I hope you understand. Thank you.