Order! Just before we start our debate, I would like to make a ruling on a matter that I did promise I would look at. Hon members, I would like to make a ruling on a point of order raised by hon Watson against a statement alleged to have been made by hon Ntwanambi during our plenary on Thursday, 29 October 2009.
The hon member raised a point of order as to whether it was parliamentary for a member to stand at the podium and accuse "the Premier of our province", meaning the Premier of the Western Cape, who is an hon member, of being a racist.
I indicated that I would study the Hansard records and make a ruling. In perusing the Hansard records, I did not come across a statement where reference was made to the effect that the hon Premier was a racist. However, I came across the following statement - this is what Ms Ntwanambi said: She has really planted racism in our country.
Even though robust debates are encouraged in the House, however, in keeping with the decorum of the House, which requires us to conduct ourselves in a manner befitting of the hon office we hold as members of Parliament, I would like to make a ruling that the said statement should not be encouraged. Therefore, I rule that the hon member withdraw the statement. Hon Ntwanambi?