Madam Speaker, I move:
That the House -
1) notes with a deep sense of loss and profound sadness the passing away of hon Zipporah Noisey Nawa, who was a member of the National Assembly, on Monday, 5 November 2007;
2) recalls that hon Nawa was a committed educator and was truly dedicated to teaching and learning through her 14 years of unbroken service as a school principal;
3) further recalls her sterling work in the struggle for the emancipation of women and that she was a member of and served in various capacities on the ANC Women's League Ramotse Branch;
4) recognises the important role that hon Nawa played in the trade union movement and the working class struggle and that she was a member of the Executive Committee of Sadtu between 1990 and 2006;
5) acknowledges the great contribution that hon Nawa made as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development; and
6) conveys its deepest condolences to the Nawa family, her loved ones and the African National Congress.
Debate concluded.
Motion agreed to, members standing.
Hon Speaker, hon members of Parliament, the Bible, in Genesis 1:23, says that during the creation of a man God saw that a woman should also be created. I think by then, as the Bible says that when a woman was created, God made Adam to have a very deep sleep so that at the end of the day a woman should appear as we are today.
Allow me to speak on the late Comrade Ms Zipporah Nawa, whom I have categorised under the following: She was a cadre who met the challenges of the 21st Century; she was a professional and she was a parent. Comrade Ms Nawa was born on 1 March 1945 in the rural village of Lebotlewane in Moretele 1. In adulthood she retained the fondness for the countryside that had also contributed to her education.
She had experienced the dust blowing in her face, hear the whistling of the wind when it travels through the air, slapping her in the face and on the legs, where the skin would dry up and these tiny missiles would sting. On cold days, I assume, she would sometimes kick a stone and stub a toe. I suppose many of us would understand why she joined the ANC.
I suppose those who have knowledge of the countryside understand all this. Comrade Ms Zipporah Nawa served the public in the second decade of freedom so as to meet the needs of the poor. President Thabo Mbeki once said:
As government we believe we have a clear understanding of what the national agenda is and are determined to do everything possible to pursue it, working together with the people and all their representative formation in the people's contract to advance the vision of the Freedom Charter.
Indeed, the late Ms Nawa was a cadre who was politically committed to taking the masses to higher levels of human development. She was a cadre who understood matters that measured human development and continually analysed the indicators to improve the delivery of social, political and economic services to the masses. She was a cadre who learnt to make decisions which were not detrimental to society, a cadre who had mastered all modern skills of accessing knowledge - some of these include the traditional method of acquiring knowledge through experience - and a cadre who possessed the flexible thinking process that is required of us to compete in the extremely volatile 21st Century global economy. However, a flexible mind must not be confused with flexible principles. She was also a cadre who had human relations.
We have been four comrades in this regard who have been deployed in the Moretele constituency office. It was I, Comrade Chris Molefe, the late Comrade Ms Nawa and Comrade Moseki.
We used to work very well in that constituency office. Comrade Nawa was also a cadre with a source of stimuli for the creation of responsible citizens. She was a cadre who at all times projected what was best for the ANC, and by so doing, stimulated the masses to be organised, patriotic, disciplined, modest and honest, and have a strong sense of social conscience.
Earlier on I said that when God created a man and a woman, that creation on its own, for instance, in the case of the late hon Nawa, made her to be a very strong woman, because when you read the book of Genesis, it will tell you about God telling the woman how she would labour; very bad. And again, that on its own I took as making us women very strong, because the late Comrade Nawa was also a mother.
As a professional, she started teaching in 1993 until 2006 at Lefofa Primary School, from where she resigned as the principal to become a Member of Parliament in 2006. As a mother, she is survived by her two sons and a daughter. May her soul rest in peace.
Madam Speaker, hon members, the hon Noisey Nawa died suddenly and unexpectedly over the weekend. Like all who knew her, we are in a state of shock and sadness.
We recognise that, indeed, she was a true daughter of the soil; someone whose life became a testament to what can be achieved by the human spirit when dedicated to the task of securing freedom based on considerations of human rights. Her role in the political struggle for liberation and the realisation and establishment of democracy is well recorded and documented.
She worked tirelessly for securing the rights of women, and also committed over 14 years of her life towards the educational upliftment of the community to which she belonged in Temba where she served as a principal of the Lefofa Primary School.
Furthermore, she was an extremely kind and caring person who felt deeply about the social issues facing our country. She was also a very conscientious Member of Parliament and was also dedicated to her constituency and various organisations to which she belonged, particularly as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services. She was also distressed to see how many young people were incarcerated, often with very long sentences, and constantly suggested ways in which this vicious cycle could be broken.
Towards the middle of the year, she developed a chest complaint that made it difficult for her to talk. Despite this, she attended two weeks of intensive oversight inspections in Gauteng and in KwaZulu-Natal in late July and early August. On occasions, she could scarcely speak. Yet, she still put her questions to the officials by writing them down and asking colleagues to read them out. That is the sort of dedication and commitment that made her so special.
We, who knew her professionally, saw one side of her and deeply miss her. One can imagine how much more her loss will be felt by her organisation, the ANC and by her friends and family. We extend our deepest condolence to all of them - but in the knowledge that her example and legacy will live on. We in the DA wholeheartedly support the motion of condolence. Thank you.
Madam Speaker, the IFP, in supporting the draft resolution of the majority party, wishes to share the sentiments of the ANC. We share the shock and the sadness that you feel at the loss of such an important person. I say important because she is obviously someone who has done and achieved a great deal within the ANC and certainly within the committee in which I have worked with her - that is the Correctional Services committee.
The hon Nawa has been a very committed member of the Correctional Services Portfolio Committee, as you have just heard from our hon colleague. I was with her in those two weeks when she was so ill. Her sense of humour never left her. She always continued with an incredible sense of humour and a total dedication to the Correctional Services Portfolio Committee and the work of the committee.
She continued to work throughout the time she was ill and was really and truly a committed member. I am sure that the ANC is going to miss her greatly. It is said that only the good die young, and obviously this was indeed a good person that has died young. She was obviously a good person. We wish to extend our condolences to the family, the ANC and the loved ones. May her soul rest in peace. God bless her. Thank you. [Applause.]
Somlomo obekekileyo, baPhathiswa abahloniphekileyo namalungu abekekileyo ephela, kwakhona namhlanje sihlangene apha ukuza kuthi ndlela ntle kwelinye ilungu lale Ndlu. Isela elikukufa sele lisithathele kwakhona. Kubonakala ngathi sele sidibana rhoqo ngomba ololu hlobo, yaye loO nto iyadanisa.
Esi sisikhumbuzo esibalulekileyo sokuba ixesha lethu apha emhlabeni lifutshane, kwaye sinomsebenzi ekufuneka siwenzile kwaye siwuphumezile imihla ngemihla kweli ziko, ngoba asazi ukuba singabizelwa nini na edingeni.
Umbutho ohloniphekileyo i-UDM wothukile kakhulu kukuva isithonga sokuwa kwelungu lale Ndlu. Kusapho lwakwaNawa, kwizihlobo, nezalamane sithi: Thuthwini! Lalani ngenxeba, akuhlanga lungehliyo. Okwenzekileyo kudaliwe, kwaye kuyintando kaThixo. Nathi siyaya ngaphesheya. Lala ngoxolo nkosikazi yakwaNawa. Wanga uThixo angawusikelela umphefumlo wakho. Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa speech follows.)
[Ms S N SIGCAU: Chairperson, hon Ministers present here and all hon members, we are gathered here today yet again to pay tribute to another member of this House. Like a thief, death has come again and snatched one of us away. It seems as if our meetings to mourn a colleague are becoming too regular, and that is disappointing.
This serves as an important reminder that we are on this earth for a limited time only, and that each day we have work to do and to complete in this institution, because we don't know when we will be called up to meet our Maker.
It was with great shock that the UDM received the news of the passing on of the member of this House. To the Nawa family, their friends and next of kin, we say: Don't despair! Let her soul rest in peace. What has happened was the will of God. We are also going to join them when our time comes. Rest in peace, Mrs Nawa! May God bless your soul! Thank you. [Applause.]]
Madam Speaker, the ACDP joins this House in conveying its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late hon Mrs Nawa, especially to her political party, the ANC, and to all the other organisations she represented in our society.
It is our sincere hope that they have the assurance and confidence that she has gone to be with her Maker, and we pray that they will experience the peace of Jesus Christ at this time.
We acknowledge the high esteem in which the hon Nawa was held in terms of the role she played in the struggle for nonracialism, nonsexism and a united and democratic South Africa. We commend her for her commitment to democracy and social justice in our country, and we pray that God Almighty will sustain those who mourn her passing. Thank you.
Geagte Mevrou die Speaker, die Vryheidsfront Plus assosieer ons graag met die mosie wat voor die Huis dien. Die agb lid Nawa was persoonlik as lid nie aan my baie goed bekend nie. Sy was nie baie lank lid van hierdie Huis gewees nie en sy was maar vir bietjie meer as 'n jaar 'n lid van die Parlement. Maar uit haar currikulum vitae en uit dit wat haar kollegas van haar ges het, is die belangrike rol wat sy gespeel het spesifiek met betrekking tot vroue, baie duidelik. Die bemagtiging van vroue het haar baie na aan die hart gel, saam met haar betrokkenheid by die onderwys haar hele lewe deur.
Ons dra graag ons medelye oor aan haar familie en haar naasbestaandes, asook aan haar party, wat 'n kollega verloor het, en ons wil hul graag sterkte toewens en ons vertrou dat dit met hulle goed sal gaan op die pad vorentoe. Baie dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Dr C P MULDER: Madam Speaker, the Freedom Front Plus gladly supports the motion before the House. The hon member Nawa was not personally known to me. She has not been a member of this House for very long and she was only a Member of Parliament for little over a year. From her curriculum vitae and from what her colleagues have said about her, the important role she played regarding women is very evident. The empowerment of women was very close to her heart along with her involvement with education throughout her whole life.
We would like to sympathise with her family, her next of kin and her party who have lost a colleague. We would like to wish them all the best and we trust that it will go well with them on the road ahead. Thank you very much.]
Hon Speaker and hon members, I may not have known the late hon Zipporah Nawa in person, but as a human being, I believe that all persons have been created in the image of God and that she therefore deserves love, respect, service and understanding.
That she was unknown to a good number of us means she was not controversial. She had a quiet disposition that allowed her to do her work without seeking attention by sometimes speaking for the sake of it.
That she towered and rose among the ranks to become a school principal, speaks volumes about her to follow instructions and carry them out. It is not easy to run a school these days. That she did so for over a decade, she definitely deserves an honour.
Having been a member of her party's Women's League in Ramotse gives a good picture of who she was. Ramotse is, by the way, one of the slum areas in the Hammanskraal area. Having been able to be elected to office in that area means that Zipporah was made of sterner stuff.
Her response to a call to higher service prompts us in the UCDP to pay homage to her, her family and her political party, the ANC, and to say that that is the way of all flesh. Let us all take solace in the hope that her soul will rest in peace. I thank you.
Madam Speaker, I come to the podium today to sadly bid farewell and pay respect to the beloved ANC MP, Zipporah N Nawa. Our sincere condolences are extended to the bereaved family and friends of the deceased. This condolence is especially extended to the loving sons and daughter of Mama Zipporah. Nawa was a great comrade in the fight against apartheid and active in her contributions as an ANC MP. We express our sincere condolence to the ANC on the loss of a great comrade and a defender of human rights.
Our condolences are further extended to the royal house under the auspices of the chieftaincy of Chief Simon Molathlegi, who has a strong bond to the family through Nawa's late husband.
Hon Zipporah Noisey Nawa, we salute you. May you rest in peace in the gardens of Heaven, knowing that you have sacrificed for the people and that your strength, hope and zeal, shall live on in our democracy for centuries to come. Rest in peace. I thank you.
Spikara, rona re le ba mokgatlo wa APC re re re ikamahanye le mekgahlo yohle ka ho isa matshediso lelapeng la ha Mme Nawa ha ele mona a re siile lefatsheng le ka kwano. Matshediso ana, re a fetisa a tswa botebong ba dipelo tsa rona mme re re lelapa la hae, metswalle le mokgatlo o a neng a o rata haholo wa ANC ba tshedisehe. Ha ba hlaelwa ke se sa hlaheng, lefu ke ngwetsi ya malapa ohle. Re tshepa hore ka lefu la hae, ditho tsa mokgatlo di tla sebetsa ka matla, mme di tswelle ho tloha moo a ileng a siya teng, ba ntshetse pele boitseko boo re ntseng re le ho bona, eleng ba tokoloho.
Ba iqallotseng lehlakoreng la tsa thuto ba tiise haholo lebitsong la hae hore thuto e nne e tswele pele. Ba lehlakoreng la basebetsi jwalo ka ha ene ele moitseki wa basebetsi, le bona ba eme ka maoto ba tswelle pele ka boitseko ba basebetsi, e le ha re hlompha senatla sena se robetseng. Ke ona matshediso a rona ao, mme re re moya wa hae le moya wa badumedi bohle ba falletseng o phomole ka kgotso. Ke a leboha. (Translation of Sesotho speech follows.)
[Mr M T LIKOTSI: Speaker, we as the APC associate ourselves with all the other parties in sending our condolences to Mrs Nawa's family since she has departed from this earth. We are sending these condolences from the depth of our hearts and we say to her family, friends and the party that she loved so much, may they be comforted. What has happened to them is nothing new, since death touches us all. We hope that through her death members of her party will work harder and continue with the struggle that we are in, which is that of struggling for our freedom.
The educational experts should work even harder on her behalf so that education can continue to develop. Those who are on the side of the workers, since she was an activist, should also stand up and continue with the workers' struggle in honouring the icon that is no more. These are our condolences and we say may her soul and that of all the departed believers rest in peace. I thank you.]
Madam Speaker, the NA supports the motion of condolences in respect of the late hon Z Nawa as it appeared on the Order Paper. We want to express our sincere condolences to the Nawa family, friends and the ANC.
The hon Nawa served in this House for a short period of time, but had to do her work in a difficult portfolio committee. We wish to thank her for her services to all South Africans in all ways that she contributed. May her soul rest in peace. I thank you.
Hon members, I take it that there are no objections to the adoption of the motion by the House, and I only wish to add the feelings and the views of the Presiding Officers of this House - the Deputy Speaker, myself, the House Chairpersons. We will convey all the sentiments expressed in this House this afternoon to the family.
Before we proceed with the rest of the business, we now wish to ask the House to rise to observe a moment of silence in memory of the late hon Nawa.
The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the Nawa family.