Extract from transcript of speech by Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training, in the debate on the President's State of the Nation Address, National Assembly, Cape Town, February 18 2014
Thousands of young college and university graduates are now working as interns in national, provincial and local government departments, and we have every expectation that the numbers will continue increasing. [Applause.] But shame on the Democratic Alliance...[Interjections.]...you are the only province that is not sending our students to go and train as doctors in Cuba. [Applause.] It is shame on you because for whatever reasons you are depriving the poor kids from Khayalitsha, Gugulethu and many other places to go and train as doctors.
Hon members, all in all, as the President has said, we have a good story to tell. This is in contrast to the official opposition parties that want us to pull stunts like marching to Luthuli House or try to enhance their leadership cliques with dodgy rent-a-black schemes. Hon members, in fact, many of us are offended by this. Black people are not for renting. It shows the extent to which the DA does not treat black people with respect in this country. Of course, it does not mean also that black leaders should not be proud of themselves and not allow themselves to be rented. How on earth do you go and appoint a presidential candidate without the knowledge of your membership? You are sitting right here; you are not agreeing. [Applause.]
We know that some of you are very angry because they were not consulted about that. And how can we trust you to run an open and democratic government when you can't even consult your own membership about your own presidential candidate. [Applause.] The reason is simple you have no story to tell...[Interjections.]... whilst we, under the leadership of President Zuma have a good story to tell. This thing of marching to Luthuli House is cheap headline grabbing thing and we know the real reason. Your own internal research, hon member Mazibuko, is telling you that you are in for an electoral drubbing this year. That is why you are panicking doing what you are doing.
Hon Speaker and hon members, we still have many more challenges ahead of us and we know them. And it is only the ANC that is best capable of addressing those needs. Today, a child from a poor family is likely to live beyond five years, get free health care for the first five years, benefit from early childhood development programmes, attend a Grade R class, attend a no-fee school with at least guaranteed one meal per day, and thereafter access NSFAS to go to college or university and become an artisan or an engineer or even a university professor. [Applause.] We have done a lot and have a good story to tell. I am challenging you. You are coming to speak after me. Let's hear your good story what is going to do.
Source: Unrevised transcript
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