Hon Minister, the historic ANC 52nd National Conference was not a picnic or a convention, but a conference of the branches of the ANC, and elected representatives from the branches who converged in Polokwane to do an assessment of the work of the ANC in government and outside of government. In as far as social cohesion and the glue that binds all of us are, concerned of the things that were identified at that conference are some heritage, arts and culture, and sport and recreation.
At that historic conference of the ANC more than eight profound resolutions were reached. One of the most important resolutions was when the ANC called upon the Minister to have one national emblem, one national anthem and one flag for this country in order to bind us.
One of the things observed by the ANC at that conference was that there were no facilities since the introduction of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, MIG, because it is taking the money which has been allocated for the building of sports facilities. We are urging that it be resolved in order for that money to come back to sport so that, when we talk about development, we must have contributed to the basic facilities for our children for it to work. [Applause.]
The other decision we had arrived at there was that the ANC must ensure that investment in 2010 results in an everlasting community and that our people benefit. The ANC, at that historic conference, said that we support the 2010 World Cup and the ANC must be at the pulse of this World Cup. Therefore, Minister, we, as a committee, have made sure that we support it. [Interjections.] Because we would never have gotten the 2010 World Cup if the ANC did not stand up and say, "Yes, we want the 2010 World Cup". [Applause.] Others would not have gotten us the World Cup. It would simply have been a pipe dream.
Our own Nelson Mandela left for Zurich to go and tell the nations of the world that Africa's time has come. "Africa Ke nako! [Africa, now is the time.] It is important for the nations of the world to look at us and say: What is it that we can do for this dark continent, for Africa, to be what it should be? The ANC-led government is committed to that and will continue to be committed to that.
I would like to thank the DA. Before Cope was born, the DA was supporting the 2010 Soccer World Cup and said that it would have and everlasting investment on this country. [Applause.] These people, who are talking too much, have come here today... [Interjections.]