Hon Chairperson, firstly, let me take the opportunity to thank hon members for their contribution. Quite clearly, everybody said the importance of heritage cannot be overemphasised, but also that we should continue to celebrate heritage on a daily basis.
However, during this month, it is particularly important as we chose the theme of craft to really ensure that the work of all those women in rural areas, who are trying to produce one form of craft or the other, is promoted and that they are protected and exposed to markets beyond our shores.
There are lots of people who come to this country and are impressed by what we produce. They want to buy these goods. We must make sure that our people are not exploited and that they can derive value through money for what they produce. But at the end of the day, the crafts reflect who we are as a nation. As the Department of Arts and Culture, we will continue to promote crafts as part of our heritage in our country, and make sure that we promote crafts from all over South Africa because we are in a process of building one nation. Therefore, it is important that we recognise the diversity that exists.
I want to particularly encourage hon members to visit some of the heritage sites that we have in the country. As I have said, we have more than eight World Heritage Sites. I am sure that members have taken time to visit some of them; if not, please do so. You can take your children and expose them to these important areas of heritage in our own country.
But I want to conclude by thanking members for their constructive contribution to the debate, and agree that going forward we must continue to work together to ensure that our country can continue to thrive as a united country in its diversity - with various cultures. But at the end of the day, we must ensure that we remain a strong nation. Thank you very much. [Applause.]