Thank you, Deputy Speaker. With the call to actively build an activist state, we are equally charged with the task of building a unique cadre for the people-centred Public Service. In this instance, we require an all-rounder cadre - well prepared to serve his or her fellow South African citizens with distinction. These servants of a developmental state do not have to be rocket scientists, but an ordinary agent of democratic change armed with the correct theory of social transformation within the context of a single Public Service for a unitary state.
During the independence of Mozambique in 1975, President Samora Machel talked about the need for a new mindset and a new person for the democratisation of the postcolonial state and its society.
The South African state requires similar people that are ever prepared to learn more so that they can be in a better position to discharge the developmental mandate of the state within the Public Service. Hon Bhoola, as the Chinese proverb goes: Live as if you are going to die tomorrow and learn as if you are going to live forever.
In the spirit of Mandela Day, we must reaffirm the Batho Pele principles and work towards the creation of a new cadre with the ability to do more. This should be towards the advancement of the developmental agenda of the state, anchored on the following platform: dedication to human solidarity, selfless devotion to civic duty and discipline, voluntarism in pursuit of social justice, sensitivity to unethical conduct, and humanity to the most vulnerable.
Hon President and hon Deputy President, these are the fundamental, though not exhaustive, attributes in the qualification of a new cadre equipped to serve his or her people. Excellence service awards will be considered for the best-serving servants of the people as recognition of their unique contribution above and beyond the call of duty.
The introduction of the key Ministry of Economic Development, aimed at strengthening and creating an institutional centre for government-wide medium to long-term economic and developmental planning, will go a long way towards activating the state to intervene in the economy.
A developmental state, within the economy, should ensure that our national democratic resources that include land, water, minerals and marine resources, are not exploited but effectively advanced to meet the developmental challenges of the economic meltdown.
Expanding the opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and supporting the economic growth of underdeveloped and small business sectors of the economy in the poorly resourced centres of our country remain practical tasks.
Our participation in world trade, pursuing strategic partnerships with countries of the South and in agitating for a fairer world trade system, under conditions of economic recession, constitute an internationalist task of the developmental state, taking the imposing opportunities into account.
There is a need for South Africa to provide leadership in the economic integration of the Southern African region and the world during this opportune period of financial crisis.
To end, it is important for us to indicate that the institutions of governance that have been established remain active to ensure that we achieve our objectives. We do also, in the main, have the Chapter 9 institutions which deal with various sectors.
When it comes to the SA Human Rights Commission, SAHRC, it is important for us to particularly focus on the demon of racism that is rising up in our country. As South African citizens, black and white, I am sure we do not agree with racism as a factor. We therefore have to work very hard because that demon keeps raising its head from time to time. [Applause.] We have to confront racism head-on. Hon Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank you. [Applause.]