Speaker, the IFP will support this Vote, but would like to raise two issues which are of concern to us. Firstly, we want to raise our concern with regard to the relationship that this department has had with the SABC, and especially with the dissolved board. It emerged during the inquiry which the portfolio committee held into the affairs of the SABC board that the relationship between the board and the corporation was somewhat strained and less than normal.
The board complained that it received less than full support from the department, which is the sole shareholder of the SABC. On the other hand, the department complained that the previous board failed to conform to their directives. We urge the department to correct this situation so that the interim board and the new permanent board will be able to operate with the maximum support possible from the department.
The second issue relates to what appears to have been the urban bias and focus of the department in the past. Our major gripe has to do with the failure to actively see to it that information and communication technology services are extended equitably to reach all citizens of this country, especially those who live in rural areas of our land. The people of the rural areas also deserve first-class ICT services.
It is for this reason that we welcomed the Minister's undertaking during the Budget Vote to steer the department towards correcting this situation and we want to say to the hon Minister that he has our full support in the endeavour to make the rural citizens of this country also first-class citizens. I thank you. [Applause.]