Hon Speaker, I move:
That the House -
(1) notes with profound sadness the untimely death of hon Dirk Cornelis du Toit on Monday, 1 June 2009;
(2) further notes that Dirk du Toit matriculated from Horskool Boshof with the best results in the then Orange Free State and received a bursary from the Department of Defence to study Chemical Engineering and that he gave this up in order to read law at the then University of the Orange Free State;
(3) recognises that in 1994 he was among the first representatives of our people dispatched by the African National Congress to serve in the first ever democratic Parliament and that he was considered an expert in Legal Hermeneutics, Constitutional Law and Administrative Law and hence was intimately involved in the drafting of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996);
(4) recalls that, long before he became a Member of Parliament representing the African National Congress, Dirk was strongly motivated by a desire to establish the rights of farmworkers, who under apartheid were entirely at the mercy of farmers, and that he believed this was a necessary precondition for the development and upliftment of the rural areas;
(5) remembers that he had a gentle personality, was a lucid thinker, deeply committed to the cause of justice and social progress;
(6) acknowledges that his untimely death has robbed South Africa of one of its exceptional academics and politicians who contributed immensely to the liberation of South Africa;
(7) believes that he discharged his responsibilities with dedication, discipline, diligence and humility and that the life of this great leader epitomises heroism and commitment to the cause of the poor; and
8) conveys its condolences to the Du Toit family, the African National Congress and the trade union movement in general, and assures them that the loss sustained by them is not theirs alone but equally felt by Parliament.
Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the motion proposed by the Chief Whip of the ANC.
There are not many members of the first democratically elected Parliament - perhaps we can call it the class of 1994 - left in this House. For those of us who were here in 1994, remember the excitement and the sense of anticipation that surrounded the formation of that new Parliament.
One of the new boys in that Parliament was a Free Stater with a very strong Afrikaans accent sitting in the ANC benches. In many ways he seemed to be out of place, at first. His background seemed to suggest that he should have been anywhere but as a member of the liberation struggle. As the Sunday Times dated 7 June 2009 reported, his father was rumoured to be a member of the Broederbond and after matriculating he received a bursary from the Department of Defence to study Chemical Engineering.
Dirk du Toit was a very proud Afrikaner and was, in fact, a very staunch opponent of apartheid. He had been a member of the Progressive Federal Party - a party which I was also a proud member of - and from there he moved easily into the ANC, where he had an illustrious career.
As the Chief Whip of the ANC has pointed out, Prof du Toit clearly was an excellent academic. He did not complete his degree in Chemical Engineering but gave up his studies to study law. He was - as we know - an advocate of the Supreme Court but, more importantly, after completing a Doctorate in Law in the Netherlands, he returned to the University of the Free State in 1975 and became the Head of Department of Philosophy and Law, in fact, a professor of law, at that university.
It was from this position that he became a Member of Parliament in 1994 and one can recall the gravelly voice of Dirk du Toit making his point as a new member of this Parliament. His commitment to his ideals and to his party was never in doubt and he spoke with passion about matters close to his heart. It was well known that his particular area of concern was about the rights of farmworkers who were very much at the mercy of the farmers during the years of apartheid. What was interesting about Dirk is that he was never a farmer himself and had no background in farming. Certainly, this raised the ire of some in this country when he was appointed as a Deputy Minister of Agriculture in 1999. But Dirk did not allow that to stop him from doing his job and he ensured that his position gave him a platform to do what he could to end the exploitation of farmworkers and to stop the unfair evictions. He was also heavily committed to the Land Reform Programme and to the development of emerging farmers.
I must say, Mr Speaker, that as a party we did not necessarily agree with everything he said or did. We sometimes believed that the way in which he approached things was incorrect, but we never ever doubted his deep commitment to his job as the Deputy Minister and his party, the ANC.
We have all observed that Dirk looked frail in his last years at Parliament and it was not a surprise to us that he decided to retire in 2009. Nevertheless, we were saddened to hear of his sudden passing away at the beginning of the month. His memory is etched into the Constitution of this country because of the prominent role he played in the writing of it. Those of us who remember him, will certainly remember that new boy of 1994 and never forget him.
To conclude, we do offer our sincere condolences to his wife, his family, and his party, the ANC, which certainly has lost a deeply committed member. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, I also wish to rise to support the motion of the Chief Whip of the ruling party. The passing away of Dirk du Toit has robbed the South African community of one of the brains, architects and practitioners of social transformation. Having known and worked with him as a colleague in the last Cabinet, Dirk has at all times presented himself as a man of reason and principle. His organisation, the agricultural community at large and indeed the people of South Africa surely must draw inspiration from the work of this man of exceptional commitment.
Dirk, as a warm and welcoming person, did not shy away from confronting problems directly. He applied his mind on all discussions at Cabinet level and presented his ideas without fear or favour. Dirk passes away at the time when our country is in dire need of leaders of his calibre. As Cope, we mourn and grieve with his family, his organisation, the ANC, and the South African people. In this regard, we want to thank his family for lending him to us. We celebrate his life and contributions in making South Africa a better place to live in. The people of South Africa will always remember him as one of them. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker, on behalf of the IFP and its president, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, I stand to express our deep and sincere condolences: Firstly, to the family and close relatives of the late Deputy Minister Dirk du Toit, who was an MP, for their loss; and secondly, to the ANC for the loss of a dedicated cadre and comrade. Indeed, the national organised agriculture and farmworkers in particular must feel robbed of the compassion that he brought into his portfolio as a Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs.
Much has been said and written since the departure of Prof Du Toit about his history, his family and his achievements. I will therefore not repeat this today. It is, however, important at this juncture to mention that in my contact with Prof Du Toit while in the executive, I found him to be a man of good character, with immense intellect. He always made insightful contributions, be it in the constitutional negotiating processes that brought about this democratic dispensation, or in the Cabinet where he served as the Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs. He will surely be missed, and may his soul rest in peace. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, on behalf of the ID, we bring our condolences to the family and friends of the late Prof Dirk du Toit and to the ANC. Prof Du Toit was a man of principles. He refused to sacrifice his principles when he came under attack for his association with the ANC and oppressed people.
In 2007, I approached Prof Dirk du Toit with a number of outstanding land claims in the Free State, the Western Cape and the Northern Cape. He worked together with us to solve many of those land claims. That is the kind of person he was - accessible. I used to write him a note many times here in Parliament, and the next day I would get a response to the query I had raised with him. We are certainly going to miss him.
He has made his contribution. He fought in the struggle against apartheid. When he came here in 1994, while we were busy writing the final Constitution, he also made his contribution.
Lastly, I will always remember him because he was the first chairperson of the disciplinary committee established by Parliament to discipline me when the ANC wanted to throw me out of Parliament. So, I will always remember that. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker, Ministers and Deputy Ministers and Members of Parliament, ...
... dit was regtig vir ons almal 'n groot skok om van adv Dirk du Toit, die voormalige Adjunkminister van Landbou en Grondsake, se afsterwe te verneem. Hy is, soos ons almal weet, verlede Vrydag ter aarde bestel. Al was ons ten volle bewus daarvan dat sy gesondheid die afgelope tyd veel te wense oorgelaat het, het geeneen van ons so 'n skielike wending verwag nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[... it really was a great shock to all of us to learn of the passing away of Adv Dirk du Toit, the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs. He was, as we all know, laid to rest last Friday. Although we were fully aware that his health left much to be desired in recent times, none of us expected such a sudden turn of events.]
Realising to the fullest extent the heavy loss sustained by those nearest and dearest to him, the UDM tenderly condoles the family and friends of our deceased brother and colleague in the period of trial and affliction, and commends them to the keeping of Him who looks with compassion upon those who mourn.
Sy skielike heengaan word deur ons almal betreur. [We all mourn his sudden passing.]
Re re robala ka khut?o, Moafrika. [We say rest in peace, South African citizen.]
Dankie. [Thank you.]
Agbare mnr die Speaker, agb kollegas, die skielike dood van ons kollega, adv Du Toit het ons almal herinner aan die kosbaarheid, maar ook die tydelikheid van die lewe.
Ek het adv Du Toit leer ken na 1994, spesifiek met die grondwetonderhandelingsproses. Ek en hy was betrokke by die formulering van artikel 185 wat tans in die Grondwet is. Ek onthou sy insette en die gestoei wat ons gehad het onder mekaar oor die bewoording daar. Die van u wat vir Dirk goed geken het, sal hom onthou as 'n persoon wat sterk gestaan het by sy standpunt, wat graag gedebateer het en wat nie bang was vir 'n argument nie. Hy was altyd deel van 'n groter gesprek waar hy met oortuiging sy party en die saak waarin hy geglo het, gedien het op 'n waardige en 'n respekvolle manier.
Ek wil graag namens die VF Plus ons medelye oordra aan sy party, wat 'n kollega verloor het, maar ook veral aan sy gesin, wat 'n pa en 'n eggenoot verloor het. Dit is tragies en jammer dat 'n kollega wat maar so pas 65 jaar oud geword het en op die vooraand was om sy aftrede en sy oudag te geniet, skielik weggeruk is en sy gesin alleen agterbly. Ons dra graag ons simpatie en hulde oor aan sy party en familie. Baie dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Dr C P MULDER: Mr Speaker, hon colleagues, the sudden passing away of our colleague, Adv Du Toit, has reminded us all of how precious, but also how temporary, life is.
I got to know Adv Du Toit after 1994, in fact during the constitutional negotiation process. He and I were involved with the formulation of section 185, which is now enshrined in the Constitution. I remember his input and how we tussled with each other regarding its wording. Those of you who knew Dirk well will remember him as a person who stood his ground, who liked to debate and who was not afraid of an argument. He was always part of a larger discussion where he served his party and the cause in which he believed with conviction and in a dignified and respectful manner.
On behalf of the FF Plus I want to convey our condolences to his party, who have lost a colleague, but in particular also to his family, who have lost a father and a husband. It is tragic and a pity that a colleague who had only just turned 65 years of age and was on the eve of stepping down and enjoying his retirement, should be suddenly snatched away, leaving his family behind by themselves.
We would like to pay homage and convey our sympathy to his party and family. Thank you.]
Hon Speaker, the ACDP is saddened by the death of Mr Dirk du Toit, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs from June 1999 to May 2009.
During my time as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs, I knew Mr Dirk du Toit to be a man who took his work very seriously. We also acknowledge and commend Mr Du Toit for his contribution to drafting and finalising the country's Constitution in 1996.
The ACDP sends heartfelt condolences to Mr Du Toit's family and friends and we pray you will experience the comfort and peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The great responsibility on the shoulders of Ministers and the enormous work to be done by both Ministers and Members of Parliament can place a tremendous strain on the physical bodies of mere human men and women. Dirk du Toit's untimely passing is a reminder to us all that in the midst of the enormous demands, a healthy balance must be found if we are to continue to be able to give of our best. Thank you.
Speaker,
... mokgapa o mogolo o wele, dithakga t?a lla botsororo. E ile t?weu e kgolo ya go hloka kgethollo ka mmala. [... a great hero has fallen and the followers are so deeply hurt and confused. A great man who did not discriminate on the basis of colour has passed on.]
The PAC sends its deepest sympathy to the family of Prof Dirk du Toit and also to his political family, the ANC. Those who walked this path before us have constantly admonished us that in days like these, it helps to recall that there have always been days like these.
Hamba kahle qhawe lamaqhawe. [Go well, hero of heroes.]
Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker, there are many sorrows in life, and one of the greatest sorrows that nobody would like to experience is the sorrow of death. On behalf of the MF we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the beloved Prof Dirk du Toit.
At the age of 65, we are certain that Prof Dirk du Toit had experienced South Africa through the difficulties of apartheid to the liberation of a democracy. We are each given this life for a reason, purpose and meaning. We convey our condolences to the ANC on the loss of this great comrade and pray that his work and influence will be carried through.
Prof Dirk du Toit is also reported to have been a great academic and active in politics, where he has shown tremendous passion and desire to establish the rights of farmworkers.
The MF prays that others who have emulated him will hopefully continue to live in his spirit. We pray that the deceased may rest in peace in high heavens through the grace of God Almighty. Thank you.
Mr Speaker, hon Members, Azapo joins the family of Adv Dirk du Toit and his organisation, the ANC, in their sorrow over his untimely passing; untimely because at 65 Dirk could still have made a lot of contributions to his country and his family.
I spent eight years in the executive with him and I always had the impression that Dirk du Toit read most of the more difficult legal documents a lot more thoroughly than most of us.
He shared his considerable knowledge in constitutional law and land issues generously, in the process helping many of us with our own legislation. He did all this with humility, grace and a genuine smile.
Dirk du Toit was a great human being, a gentleman and a great patriot. May his soul rest in peace. [Applause.]
Speaker, hon members, I read this on behalf of the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Rural Development and Land Reform. These are the two departments for which the late hon du Toit was Deputy Minister.
Today we celebrate a life well led and dedicated to our movement and to the service of our people. We have been blessed to have had within our ranks a true cadre, a man of the people and a man for all seasons, Comrade Dirk du Toit.
Comrade du Toit was a brave and honourable man, who was willing to sacrifice his own privileges under apartheid for the greater good of all our people. In his own way, and through a different route, he too understood that it was no easy walk to freedom.
He chose a journey that took him not on a separate path, but on a common road along which all freedom-loving people travelled fighting for an end to injustice, to arrive at a shared destiny of freedom and sustainable development.
He led an exemplary life, because he believed with all his heart and mind that it was not right for one human being to oppress another and that the system that entrenched racism and apartheid needed to be brought to an end. He did not vacillate, but stood by his beliefs and over the years has strengthened his resolve and sharpened his determination.
He knew that an idea emerging from an Afrikaner community could only flourish if it also became an African idea; that our different languages and cultural manifestations, together, would make us a great nation and enrich our contribution to the world knowledge and culture.
Here was a man who understood that at the heart of our quest for equality is the desire for all humankind to be free. He believed in the attainment of nonracialism, nonsexism and democracy. He embraced the struggle, not for selfish reasons, but as an act of selflessness and a bold statement of conviction to strive towards an egalitarian society.
When he joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs as Deputy Minister, his various roles came together and crystallised. His legal insights and understanding of agriculture and land reform served us as a nation extremely well in the 10 years that he held this post.
He recognised that freedom should not be only for the farmer, but also for the farmworker and that the sons and daughters of farmworkers should also be able to emerge as farmers, entrepreneurs, as those at the forefront of our development and at the vanguard of change. He championed the cause of the poorest of the poor, knowing that our biggest challenge is to fight poverty and to restore productivity, pride and creativity of our people's labour.
I think that it should be said that he truly loved this land, that he identified deeply with our history and that the South African soil gave him the roots of his devotion to freedom. It is because of people like him that bridges are built between different people, conversations are started and debate and dialogue become affinity and empathy and result in "toenadering" [rapprochement.] and togetherness. He was truly collegial, comradely, generous, compassionate and honest to the core; qualities befitting a parliamentarian.
Let us console ourselves that after the dark days of apartheid he lived to see the results of our struggle, he lived to see our people come out in their millions to vote in the fourth national democratic elections that were conducted in peace and harmony. He lived to see the decisive electoral mandate given by our people to the ANC. Let us be grateful that we had the opportunity to be in the trenches with him. Now he has joined the ranks of all our departed warriors, heroes and heroines. Today he walks tall in the company of O R Tambo and all those who fought for freedom.
It is said that each generation should fulfil its mission and I believe that Prof Du Toit fulfilled his mission as a champion of our freedom, a promoter of human rights and a leading light of transformation.
He leaves us a living legacy to build on his work in fighting racism and inequality; in working towards national unity and reconciliation; in stepping up the struggle for human development and a better life for all and in transforming Africa and the world into a more caring society. That we have lost our comrade so suddenly is tragic.
May you, the family of Comrade Du Toit, continue to draw strength and inspiration from his words and actions. May you take comfort in the love he felt for each one.
We join the entire democratic movement in expressing our heartfelt thanks to the family for having given him to our struggle for freedom and justice and we pledge to continue his work to strengthen our democracy and to do so with the same passion, energy and love that he had for our land and for our people. We pledge to build a strong administration, to cultivate solid institutions and to make ourselves a caring and prosperous nation and people.
Lala ngoxolo, Qabane. [Rest in peace, Comrade.] I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Motion agreed to, members standing.
Chairperson, I move that, notwithstanding the hours of sitting the House as provided for in Rule 23(2), the Extended Public Committees may sit as agreed to by the National Assembly Programme Committee.
Agreed to.