Our new South Africa has built its success on consensus. Nothing reflects this better than the political reality. In every election since 1994, an overwhelming majority of votes went to the political parties committed to transformation, fast-track development and social progress.

There is clearly more of what binds us than divides us, even in this very Parliament. The IFP broadly agrees that it is the urgency of the challenges such as HIV/Aids, poverty, unemployment and crime that drives us all towards tangible solutions. We only differ in the means, not the end.

As the province's Official Opposition we in the IFP genuinely appreciate the broad consensus in our new dispensation. Our new place in it is a constitutional role, entrenched both by tradition and practical need.

Being the Official Opposition has given us moral as well as managerial responsibility over the administration of this province.

We fuel healthy competition in this Parliament and outside it and we constantly remind the ruling party and the electorate of alternatives.  It may not always feel that way, but a vocal opposition is a good thing even for the ANC and its supporters. A more effective opposition means a more effective government. We in the IFP have embraced our new role with the best intentions.

As your elected representatives, we will retire for the festive season with these contemplations in mind. We will do our best to live up to them in the new year. In the meantime, we wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year 2007. May you spend your festive season in health, peace and prosperity among your loved ones.

At the same time, we realise that not everyone's festive season will be merry, peaceful or prosperous. There are many who still go to bed hungry every night in this country and province. There are still too many vulnerable individuals whose prospects for improvement remain bleak.

Our thoughts will be with them. We will think of them and extend our private charity to them: to orphans, to children who head households, to abused women and to the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all.

I thank you.