Chairperson, hon members, members of the portfolio committee, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, fellow South Africans, allow me to acknowledge the presence of the chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, the chairperson and chief executive of the Film and Publication Board, the chairperson of the Refugee Appeal Board, the CEO of the Government Printing Works, as well as my daughter. [Applause.] On this historic day, 26 June 2009, the 59th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People held in Kliptown, I am honoured to present this budget speech as the Minister of Home Affairs.
Our late President, Oliver Tambo, once said:
Using the power you derive from the discovery of the truth about racism in South Africa, you will help us to remake our part of the world into a corner of the globe of which all of humanity can be proud. We have a vision of South Africa in which black and white shall live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity.
Heeding the words of this great patriot, I pledge to all South Africans that, together, we should continue to do everything in our power to ensure the realisation of the vision projected in the Freedom Charter and that which has found expression in our national Constitution.
Of course, we must just congratulate Bafana Bafana on losing 1-0 to the best in the world. [Applause.]
Allow me to thank my predecessor, Minister Mapisa-Nqakula, for the work she did, including requesting government intervention ... [Applause.]