Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and hon members, the UDM supports Budget Vote No 30. [Applause.]
Qhwabani kakhulu apho ngaphesheya. [Keep on applauding on the opposite side.]
I have limited speaking time and I will dedicate this speech to Madiba, the environmentalist. In celebrating the first birthday of Madiba since he is no longer here, we can't but remember his passionate love and care for nature and the environment, and its relation to humankind and the people of South Africa in particular.
I am reminded of one of the questions this icon asked me directly when he returned from one of his early village walks in Qunu during the early 90s. He asked me, "Bantu, what happened to all the birds that used to inhabit this place, with their harmonious sounds and their beautiful singing, which made many enjoy the tranquillity and nature of the village?" In response to Madiba, I said that due to the high levels of poverty in the area local people had been forced to fell trees for use as wood fuel.
Certainly there is a direct relationship between poverty and the environment and, unfortunately, it is not always a good one. The concern in Madiba's question exposed us to the need to give immediate attention to the preservation of our environment. For example, the afforestation programmes will one day make it possible to have the pleasure of walking through a forest and listening to the beautiful sounds of nature, as Madiba wished.
To realise his wish, the UDM suggests that as part of the much talked about cultural liberation route, which it is proposed should start at Pietermaritzburg, perhaps what should be considered is establishing what could be called Madiba or Nelson Mandela forests. Such forests would go a long way towards responding to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity management, combating desertification, heritage conservation, and facilitating sustainable economic growth and job creation.
Given the current questionable infrastructure development map of our country, this proposal would present an opportunity for equitable reconstruction of our country.
Finally, I have a word for the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, Baba Mthembu: We welcome you to this portfolio committee. Please make sure that City Press covers your well-articulated speech this afternoon!
Ungayithethi ke laa nto yakho mhlekazi ithi: [Don't say what you used to say, sir:] "Don't buy City Press! Don't buy it." [Kwahlekwa.] Ndiyabulela. [Laughter.] Thank you.]