P Dexter, MP
Congress of the People
Chair, minister, deputy minister, chair of the Mineral Resources Committee and the director general, Advocate Sandile Nogxina, whom I also commend on his 14 years of good service to the department.
I start by acknowledging my daughter, Maya, who is here today. Nearly five-years-old, she is here to see that you treat me well.
I also rise to say that we as the Congress of the People support this budget vote.
This speech is dedicated to the memory of the Godfather of rap, Gil Scott-Heron, who passed away earlier this week. Famous for his unique style of fusing music and poetry, which he dedicated to the liberation of his people, he was also a friend to Africa and a fearless anti-apartheid activist. Famous for his anthem, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, his words ring clearly for us today.
People say that things are not related, that what happens in one place does not influence another.
Yet the working class and the poor of our country will tell you that’s not true.
What the state does, and what the bosses ask it to do, all lead to the same objective unless we resist them. More ruthless influence for more ruthless exploitation.
Your department, minister, despite all your good efforts, stands on the brink of the abyss.
Secrecy is the blanket that the corrupt, the exploiters, the bourgeoisie, those in power, use to hide their nefarious activities.
Secrecy is how they use and abuse, secrecy is how they take what’s not theirs and never have to account for it.
Let’s talk about the national democratic revolution, chairperson.
If the government of the day has its way, the counter-revolution will not be publicised.
If the government of the day has its way, we will not hear about the workers of Grootvlei mine who have been ripped off by the families of the new governing elite. Because the counter-revolution will not be publicised.
If the government of the day has its way, we will not read about the toxic mine dumps, where radioactive materials are left for children to play with. Because the counter-revolution will not be publicised.
If the government of the day has its way, we will not hear about the corrupt lawyer and his partner, who steal mining rights to sell to the highest bidder or the highest office. Because the counter-revolution will not be publicised.
If the government of the day has its way, we will not hear about the so-called liquidator (brought in to liquidate the working class), who was convicted of fraud but rehabilitated to debilitate the working class. Because the counter-revolution will not be publicised.
We will not hear about the nationalisation of derelict mines, about the fracking and wrecking of the Karoo, about ICT, Kumba, Kunene and Suhenelo, about KCM, about Motala and Aurora, about Nersa and the radioactive Robinson Lake, about asbestos at Ga-Mopedi and Ga-Mshushu, about Siltek International Investments and its directors, about the Gupta’s and the Zuma’s, or about the case numbers 837/11/1978.207/7/1989 and 85/3/2010. Look them up minister.
We will not read about mine deaths, silicosis, about profits before workers safety, about Alexkor making its first profit in 10 years only to have it invested in diamond mining in Zimbabwe and a CEO who does not work at the mine, but shops in Sandton.
We will not hear about, read about or see this, because if the government of the day has its way, the counter-revolution will not be publicised.
In terms of the Protection of Information Bill B6-2010, the revolution will be over. Everything I have said here today will be a secret.
The death of the revolution will not be publicised.
Phillip Dexter, MP
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