Chairperson, I'll be responding to hon Watty, where he raised an issue around the leaders who are speakers, mayors and chief whips. You find that, in terms of the rankings of the party, they are junior. Therefore, they are instructed. This distorts the system of governance where you find that officials begin to instruct their bosses in the council. The respect for the institution gets undermined.
In this case, one would say that the matter, hon Watson, is something that is applicable across parties. If you can go to KwaZulu-Natal under the IFP, the same thing applies. If you can come to the Western Cape under the DA, the same thing applies. It is even worse here because you have coalitions that change from time to time. [Interjections.] People go to bed with different partners at different times based on the coalition system of governance. This also applies to areas where the ANC rules.
We are, in fact, developing what is called governance values. We want to say that all South Africans, irrespective of political affiliation, must live by these values and live according to these values. It means that even the ruling party and other parties are going to be engaged on these values so that we can follow them, be united behind them and rally behind them as South Africans, in terms of what should be done.
But it is a matter of concern to us that the institution of local government is being interfered with by political parties. At times they give illegal, unconstitutional instructions. This is a matter we want to take up with the parties so as to ensure that the institution remains respected and enjoys legitimacy and accountability in the way things are done. We will be engaging with the parties.
I have already indicated this to Mr Doman, who is a shadow Minister for Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to Madam Wenger, who is a shadow Deputy Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and also to other parties that we will be engaging with on these matters. I have even spoken to the IFP's national chairperson and told her that we will be taking up the issue.
I am saying that South Africans must rise above petty politics and know that local government is something that affects everyone; it's quite important. So, let's ensure that we do things in the right way, not for ourselves but for our children and future generations. Thank you very much.