Hon Deputy Speaker, hon President, hon Deputy President, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members, let me commence by congratulating the President on his maiden state of the nation address. Let me also congratulate you, Mr President, on your rain-making magic. [Applause.]
Sonke lesikhathi bengicabanga ukuthi usuka eNkandla, awusitsheli ngani ukuthi uvela KwaMhlabuyalingana. [Uhleko.] [All this time we were thinking that you were from Nkandla, why did you not tell us that you were from KwaMhlabuyalingana? [Laughter.]]
This is my maiden speech and I am advised to avoid being controversial. This is like avoiding politics in Parliament, when controversy is essentially part and parcel of politics.
The PAC thinks the President's speech was totally silent on the continued control by a minority of the means of production, including land, financial institutions and technology to the exclusion of indigenous Africans.
The President's focus seemed to be on the consumption and distribution of wealth. Eskom is a classic example of consumption unaccompanied by the creation of wealth. In the frenzy of distribution of electrical power to the far corners of Azania, we forgot to generate more capacity by building additional power stations. The PAC has observed with grave concern that the capacity to create wealth is not effectively extended to indigenous African people.
While we praise the President's attitude of zero tolerance of the neglect of work at our schools, there is no hint of admission that some teacher unions use their power recklessly to protect lazy and corrupt officials.
The President overemphasises a reliance on government handouts, despite a diminishing tax base and the woefully corrupt Public Service. Teaching people how to fish is the essence of freedom and liberation. Teaching people how to fish will come in the form of the provision of high-quality education, skills training and financial support.
The President continues to trumpet black economic empowerment. In principle, this is a good thing to do. However, experience has taught us that this is only an enrichment scheme for the politically well-connected elite.
A unified, single Public Service is a good idea and the PAC welcomes it. We also applaud the President's promise of transformation of the judiciary. Our Constitution, too, should not escape change. We cannot afford a clause in the Constitution that glorifies land theft. The property clause must go. Thank you. If I still had time, Madam Deputy Speaker, I could go on and on. Thank you. [Laughter.] [Applause.]