Madam Speaker, the ACDP has taken note of the report of the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament regarding site visits undertaken to inspect progress made in the rebuilding of Parliamentary infrastructure destroyed in the 2022 fire, and the installation of the Nieuwmeester Dome.
Psalm 127 teaches us that, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
These wise words of Solomon mean that any human effort or planning done without God’s help, blessing or guidance, ultimately lacks lasting value or success. True security and success only comes from depending on God’s foundational blessing, and as Kingdom Builders, we agree with this sentiment. We, as leaders, need to commit everything we do to Father God for His wisdom and guidance, given the many challenges facing our nation, and the challenges that we’re faced with in the rebuilding of Parliament.
As we rebuild the walls of our fire-ravaged Parliament, may we rebuild and restore the moral fibre of our nation as leaders, setting a Godly example. May we be called “Oaks of Righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendour (Isaiah 61:3),” understanding that “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice (Proverbs 29:2).”
May we, as servant leaders, understand stewardship of state resources, including every rand spent on the rebuilding of Parliament. Proper oversight is critical as costs escalate beyond initial estimates.
And having regard to the tree design of the new National Assembly interior, may this Seventh Parliament be the symbol of the “Tree of Life” referred to in Revelation 22, whose leaves will, we pray, be for the healing of our nation that has been ravaged by crime and violence, high levels of unemployment and poverty, as well as for the nations around us.
This we pray and trust for as Kingdom Builders.
I thank you.
