Mr Chairman, our national Constitution must reign supreme. Therefore, Parliament should ensure that its authority is not denuded in this way again.
Cope wishes to bend its back to alter the bleak and tormented lives of millions of our people. We wish to co-operate with the ANC on a professional and dignified basis. [Interjections.]
We wish to do so because our forebears have left us the legacy of ubuntu, and it is incumbent upon us to work in the spirit of ubuntu. [Interjections.]
We want to hold the President responsible for ensuring that our Constitution is upheld at all times and that everyone acts accordingly. Hon President, we cannot compromise on this. This is what South Africans expect of you and this House demands of you. [Interjections.]
It is very unfortunate that we have been so reckless in damaging and degrading the environment as though there is no tomorrow. The hon President has correctly pointed out that South Africa, being a dry country, requires urgent action to mitigate adverse environmental changes and to ensure the provision of water to citizens.
But, hon President, that is only part of the problem. The big issue is that of our climate change, which is already here. Within a decade or two, the western half of South Africa will begin to dry up even further and the ocean could rise to submerge parts of Cape Town. [Time expired.] [Interjections.] [Applause.]