Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President and hon members, there is a picture hanging in our constituency office. It is a picture of the former editor of the World, the late Percy Qoboza, being led to a police car by policemen in dark glasses, some of them in safari shots. We know that prior to that, Mr Qoboza had been called by James Kruger and later by Prime Minister John Forster, who reprimanded him for being the only editor to publish the open letter written by the Black People's Convention.
In my 2011 New Year message, I reflected on the events of 2010, including debates around the Protection of Information Bill and the Media Tribunal. I warned them that those discussions and debates reminded me of what happened before the banning of 19 Black Consciousness Organisations and said to some of my comrades that another black Wednesday is coming.
The Bill is a threat to media freedom. The idea that journalists will have to check whether documents are classified or not before they publish them leaves a bad taste in my mouth and it will be like school children asking the teacher for permission to go to the "loo".
If James Kruger is known for his "Because his death leaves me cold" utterances then the hon Minister Cwele will be known for having presided over the secrecy Bill. Many in this House have got scars because of the conscious decision they made to defy unjust laws. This will be one such law. Azapo will not support the secrecy Bill. Thank you. [Applause.]