Deputy Speaker, the executives and hon members, "Sanibonani." [Good afternoon.] Internationally, there is a growing consensus that good governance can promote pro-poor distributive outcomes and also reduce corruption. Budgets are particularly powerful instruments in socioeconomic transformation, redirecting public resources to benefit the poor and other vulnerable groups, particularly in the provision of public services.
The 52nd ANC conference in Polokwane made it clear that the bulk infrastructure tender processes did not take care of the emerging contractors. It also indicated the dying need for the centralisation planning. The latter has been achieved, much as the DA does not see the need for R500 million to be spent on the new divisions.
In the apartheid era, budgeting and budget processes were characterised by secrecy and lack of transparency, with negligible participation by Parliament or civil society. Thank you to the ANC who brought back our dignity and respect. This is indicated by the innovations included, the introduction of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and also the establishment of the Minister's Committee on Budgets so as to enhance political oversight and the allocation of resources.
The committees on finance had an opportunity to listen to different public hearings on the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, MTBPS. Some presentations were quite informative, while others were neither here nor there.
Let me share one of the perceptions that were raised by one of the presenters. This presenter said, "the patient is in the operation theatre, and the operation went well, but the patient died." The ANC is aware that the country is experiencing an economic downturn, but that doesn't mean that the patient is going to die, rather, the patient is in the recovery room. This means that we are recovering, but recuperation will depend on the commitment and the determination from all of us in this Chamber.
The ANC believes that an individual contribution will contribute towards the survival of the whole, which are our communities. The ANC's programme document, called the Freedom Charter, indicated very well that poverty and inequality must be eradicated. Indeed, the ANC-led government, within the 15 years, has tried to combat the problem, but there is still a lot to be done.
Let me share some achievements. The Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, is targeted at creating 1 million job opportunities in 5 years, to be implemented across the 4 sectors. If you listen and compare the network opportunities created in the financial year 2008-09, the total is 568 224, and the cumulative total comes to, within the 5 years, 1,6 million. Indeed, the ANC does not make a wish list when it sets up its programmes or its objectives.
The ANC also promised during its 52nd conference in Polokwane that it would halve poverty between 2004 and 2014. The real annual mean per capita analysis shows an improvement in the incomes of the poorest, rising from R783 to R1 141 in 2008.
The ANC has also acknowledged that the gap between the rich and the poor is increasingly growing. This is a sign that the deep structural nature of poverty and inequality in South Africa has a racial underpinning. It seems also that the lowest rate of improvement that I'm talking about is in the middle-income range.
The ANC-led government has provided appropriate social assistance support to all eligible beneficiaries. As of March 2009, just over 13 million people received social grants, which takes about 5,5% of our gross domestic product, GDP. The ANC supports this, much as the members on my left hand side strongly believe that the ANC shall create a social welfare state.
In 2007, a community survey estimated that people with disability constitute 4% of South Africa's population, and while opportunities have increased, there are still insufficient services and opportunities for people with disabilities to participate equally in economic transformation or development. The Constitution envisages a role for the legislature both in influencing the Budget and exercising oversight to ensure the effectiveness and the efficiency of the economy service delivery.
The ANC supports the Medium-Term Policy Statement. God bless you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]