Could you please fix the clock, Chair, because this is wasting my time. [Laughter.] Nevertheless, I am quite entertained. [Interjections.]
Furthermore, the commentator in the Financial Times says that strategic partnerships between government and big business in Europe are now being blamed by many economists for stifling growth, and for stifling small and medium-sized enterprises. In South Africa, we have huge conglomerates and monopolised industry, and what the DA wants us to do, precisely, is to create a partnership between government and big business, which will stifle the possibility of small growth and small enterprises. [Interjections.]
So the point is ... Yes, okay. Fine. Now I hear you. I think that this debate has shown quite considerable consensus in the House around state intervention, around the important role of the state. I've heard the debate. I have listened to all you guys and I can see that there is a certain amount of agreement that in South Africa we need a state which is going to intervene and which must exercise a considerable amount of influence on the economy. But what I haven't seen is a clear focus on where we are going. Now my own view - and I'm trying very hard to get to the heart of the matter - is the fact that in South Africa a large part of our population is not engaged in productive work. You can talk about capital and savings and investment, about technology, about skills - all those things are important. But, really, the heart of the matter - and I think this debate is intended to get to the heart of the matter; let us not engage in frivolous side issues - is that in this country of ours, a large proportion of the population is not engaged in productive work. And if you make comparisons ...