Madam Deputy Speaker, thank you very much indeed. It was quite something today, watching the Serjeant-at-Arms, Mr Cleinwerck, arriving and announcing the arrival of the Speaker - first of all placing the Mace and then standing back to wait for the prayers or silent prayers or meditation,because I think all of us are aware of the fact that that was, in fact, the very last time that he would do that; he has been doing it for many years. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, it was early in May 1987 when I arrived in Parliament as a very new Member of Parliament - hence I am allowed to wear this hat today, I might add. I had never been to Parliament before and was - to put it mildly - somewhat overawed by the experience. I was told by my colleagues that the very first thing I had to do was to go and get my parliamentary pass.
I was ushered by a colleague into a room in which sat a man who, I was told, was the Serjeant-at-Arms for the then House of Representatives. I have to be honest, I did not know who or what a Serjeant-at-Arms was, but I did learn there and then that this particular Serjeant-at-Arms went by the name of Godfrey Cleinwerck - a man who had been in that position for some three years. He sat me down; took my photograph; printed my pass; and I left. I left not really knowing that over the many years to come Godfrey Cleinwerck and I would become pretty good friends.
He has had a very distinguished career in Parliament. In 1994, he became the Serjeant-at-Arms for the new democratic National Assembly - a post, I would say without any fear of being wrong, he has filled with enormous dignity. [Applause.] [Interjections.] He did throw me out, hon Trevor Manuel. He did throw me out once, and I will come to that just now. [Laughter.].
It is difficult to imagine an opening of Parliament in the future without Serjeant-at-Arms Cleinwerck; immaculately dressed as always, shouldering the Mace and announcing the arrival of the President. Be it P W Botha, F W de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe or Jacob Zuma - he has done them all. He has also served four Speakers in that time, and a host of Secretaries to Parliament.
I do need to add that one does not always know what a Serjeant-at-Arms does. I think they are quite secretive in a way. They even have a Commonwealth Association of Serjeants-at-Arms, of which he was chairperson for two years. I have often wondered what they really do in their quiet moments and where they stay, because nobody quite knows where Mr Cleinwerck's office is. [Laughter.]
Then suddenly, one day, miraculously, out of nowhere, when you have been thrown out of the House, the Serjeant-at-Arms appears. He comes up to you very quietly and tells you that you must leave the parliamentary precincts immediately and not return until the next day. [Laughter.] Let me assure you, when that happens, you do not argue. However, when it comes to Mr Cleinwerck, he is at all times the epitome of a gentleman, and even at times like this you just do as he says.
He likes to refer to himself as "the Speaker's bouncer". He has had the pleasure of bouncing 20 Members of Parliament since 1994. [Laughter.] As I said earlier to the hon Trevor Manuel, I am privileged, sir, to have been one of those that he has bounced, together with my colleagues from the DA, the hon Mike Waters and the hon David Maynier. I do want to say - and I am sorry that he is not here - that the serial offender in this regard is one hon Pieter Groenewald from the FF Plus, who has had the pleasure of being thrown out four times by the Speaker's bouncer. [Laughter.]
Mr Cleinwerck has done an outstanding job and has had a long and distinguished career. [Applause.] He has met many heads of state and has attended many conferences around the world to do his work. He is highly respected. As he goes now to retirement, I hope he writes a book. It will be a history of our Parliament from a very different perspective and will make, I am sure, a very positive contribution to what our understanding of the first 16 or 17 years of this democratic Parliament has been all about.
From the DA, we wish him well. Thank you, Godfrey, for your dedication to the cause of running this Parliament. We appreciate, certainly, all that you have done and congratulate you on a job well done. We wish you and your family all the best in your retirement years. Your family, your church and your societies that you serve so well will now benefit from your time in the same way that Parliament has for so long. I thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, as you are aware, I am 80 years old, but I am still in service. So, I wonder why such a young man should be retiring so soon. [Laughter.]
When Mr Cleinwerck retired from the civil service in 1985, he joined the parliamentary staff. On a lighter note, I wonder whether it could be that he is now looking for a vacancy in the executive or maybe wants to play a role as an ambassador. After all, he knows and has ushered into this Parliament so many kings, queens and Presidents, that perhaps he could be considered for such a post! [Laughter.] On a more serious note, I first got to know Mr Cleinwerck when I came to Parliament in 1994. Although I remember him recently chucking hon Mluleki George out of the House, he has always been a gentle giant. I always found him to be courteous, affable and efficient, and always performing his tasks with diligence from day to day. When he leaves us, he will carry a lot of institutional memory with him. He served at a time of fundamental change to Parliament, and I wish he would produce a book to record his knowledge and experience.
Mr Cleinwerck has been Serjeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly since 1994. I can understand how proud he must have felt when he announced Madiba into the National Assembly Chamber in 1994, and also when announcing the last procession out of the Chamber when Madiba retired as President in 1999. When Madiba was about to come in, I can hear him saying: "Madiba, ladies and gentlemen!" and we all stood up. Madiba touched so many lives, and for each person he touched in that way, the occasion is indelibly etched in that person's memory.
Cope wishes Mr Cleinwerck well in his retirement. Spending more time with his granddaughter will be one of the great joys of retirement. May the Lord bless him with good health and many more years so that he can do all he wants to do for himself, his family, his church and finally, for society. Thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers and hon members, it is a great honour and privilege for me to stand here on behalf of my party and its president, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, at this important moment and occasion in the life of our retiring Serjeant-at-Arms, Mr Godfrey Cleinwerck.
Since I was elected House Chair for Internal Arrangements by Parliament three years ago and Chair of the Quarterly Consultative Forum, I have worked very closely with Mr Cleinwerck on matters of fundamental interests that must enhance the performance of all the Members of Parliament. I must say that he has been extremely helpful to our office in many ways. I am quite sure that the capable team that he has so ably led in the renewal of the workings of the tools of trade in Parliament ...
Let me pause there just for a while. We are now saying "tools of trade". I think I've heard that hon Ellis will be changing this in different ways because we have always heard members saying, "My thing does not work," or jumping up and saying, "My thing is not working," when in fact, Mr Cleinwerck, they meant that the microphones and the voting gadgets were defective.
But hon Ellis knows this, as we worked together with him and hon Frolick on the task team where these things were called the tools of trade. I am not sure whether members will be happy now to say, "My tool doesn't work!" [Laughter.] That would be shocking! So the tools of trade include the installation of new chairs; one for the Speaker - I think people who knew the old one did not realise that this is a new chair - and several other chairs for the judges and departmental officials, including microphones, etc. I am confident the team will ensure that Mr Cleinwerck's good work continues and that he is remembered by all of us and generations of MPs to come.
I believe I also share the sentiments of the speakership, Members of the National Assembly and officials within the precincts of Parliament, including security, when I say to you, sir, that your big personality, your lovable humour and godly humility will surely be missed. May you enjoy your retirement years with your beloved family, and may the Almighty continue to bless you. I thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker and hon members, the UDM joins the rest of the House in bidding farewell to the outgoing Serjeant-at-Arms, Mr Godfrey Cleinwerck. We salute him and his contribution to the functioning of the National Assembly. He fulfilled an important role in our democracy.
In his capacity as Serjeant-at-Arms he acted as a guardian, a role that is both ceremonial and practical. However, in both instances, it is a duty that is deeply symbolic of the importance we attach to the orderly and unfettered conduct of the business of this House.
We wish him well in his future endeavours and thank him for his service to this House. I thank you.
Hon Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the FF Plus, it is an honour and a privilege for me to wish the Serjeant-at-Arms everything of the best in his retirement.
Dit is waar dat mnr Cleinwerck baie jare gewerk en 'n baie lang loopbaan gehad het. Hy het begin werk as 'n jong man van 17 en 'n lang werksloopbaan van 47 jaar gehad. Ses-en-twintig jaar van daardie tydperk het hy op hierdie terrein by die Parlement deurgebring - voor die nuwe bedeling en daarna - tot waar hy vandag by sy aftrede kom.
Ek, en baie van u ook, het hom altyd ervaar as 'n baie vriendelike man. Hy was 'n persoon wat altyd baie netjies op sy persoon was, wat altyd professioneel opgetree het, en wat altyd 'n voorbeeld was. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[It is a fact that Mr Cleinwerck has worked for many years and has had a very long career. He started working as a young man at the age of 17, and his long working career spans over 47 years. Twenty-six of those years he has spent within the precincts of Parliament - before the new dispensation and thereafter - until he reached retirement today.
I, and many of you as well, always found him to be a very friendly person. He was always very neat, always acted in a professional manner, and set an example at all times.]
After every election, one of the more sensitive issues is the question of seating in the House. Mr Cleinwerck always played his role in trying to solve that kind of problem with regard to exactly where parties should be seated ...
... met die hulp van ander lede van die Parlement. [... with the assistance of other Members of Parliament.]
Sometimes, while members were in the House before the official commencement of a sitting of Parliament, one or two members would try to emulate the Serjeant-at-Arms and try to call the House to order. They never succeeded in the way that he officially did it until the last opening of Parliament.
Ek wil graag vir hom alles van die beste toewens en hoop dat hy 'n baie rustige en vredevolle aftrede sal h saam met sy vrou, sy kinders en sy kleinkind, en dat dit met hom goed sal gaan.(Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[I would like to wish him all of the best and trust that he will have a very tranquil and peaceful retirement together with his wife, his children and his grandchild, and that things will go well with him.]
I think we can all learn one thing from Mr Cleinwerck and his work after so many years: "I leave with no regrets." Baie dankie. [Thank you.] [Applause.]
Deputy Speaker, the ACDP shares in the sentiments wishing Mr Godfrey Edward Cleinwerck Godspeed in his retirement, after a lifetime of public service. He has served in Parliament through the terms of six successive Presidents, under four Speakers and six successive Secretaries to Parliament. This is no mean feat.
He has met various heads of state and dignitaries and led their ceremonial processions into Parliament. We will indeed miss his booming voice that announces the arrival of such dignitaries and the Speaker.
Mr Cleinwerck is an inspiration to us all in always being prepared to go the extra mile. He has always spoilt visitors to Parliament with parliamentary publications. On one occasion he made such a fuss of American visitors that they acknowledged his kindness to the American President, Barack Obama.
The ACDP will miss your kindness, sir, and your willingness to help at all times. We wish you God's richest blessings on retirement. We pray that the Lord will bless all your endeavours, particularly as you have resolved to give more time to serving Him in your church. Thank you and God bless you.
Madam Deputy Speaker, it is difficult to give a fitting tribute to a man with such an illustrious career in just one minute.
I joined Parliament in May of this year, and one of the first persons I spoke to was Mr Cleinwerck. He told me then that he would be retiring at the end of the year. He related his experiences as a Serjeant-at-Arms, including the Presidents under whom he had served.
From our discussions, I drew two conclusions. Firstly, that he was proud of the service that he has rendered to his country and, secondly, that, in spite of it all, he remained a humble and down-to-earth person.
What he did not know at that time was that I was a bundle of nerves, as I was about to take the Oath of Allegiance in the office of the Speaker, and that our discussion helped to calm me down.
We thank God for the service that you have rendered, sir, and wish you well in your retirement. Of course, we will hold you to the promise that you will write a book!
On behalf of Azapo, I bid you farewell and may God bless you and your family. Thank you.
Madam Deputy Speaker, first of all, I must apologise for the state of my voice; it was caused by smoking. [Laughter.] A friend of mine, Mr Ndlovu - I don't see him here - has for many years been saying, "Come on man, give up smoking." But I have not been successful after several attempts. [Laughter.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, in recognition of the outstanding service of the outgoing Serjeant-at-Arms, Mr Godfrey Cleinwerck, to the National Assembly, this, on behalf of the ANC, is my farewell tribute to him.
The Speaker and members, Deputy Ministers and Ministers arise to commemorate Godfrey Edward Cleinwerck for his 48 years of dedicated service to the Republic of South Africa ... [Applause.] ... but more specifically for his 16 years as Serjeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly.
Mr Cleinwerck was, in his own words - sorry for the repetition; many people have said this - born, bred, educated and worked his entire career under the slopes of our beautiful Table Mountain. His working career started at the age of 17 at the then Coloured Affairs Department, which later came to be known as the Administration of the House of Representatives. He was appointed as Serjeant-at-Arms of the then House of Representatives in September 1984 and held the position until 1994.
Godfrey - as he is fondly known by most of us - began his career as Serjeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly after the first democratic elections in 1994. Now, to the backbenchers of the House, who may or may not know the origin of this position, the Serjeant-at-Arms has been a part of British history since 1279, when King Edward I formed a bodyguard of 20 Serjeants-at-Arms. The gentlemen under that title carried a decorated battle mace as a weapon and as a badge of that particular office. In 1415, one of their number was appointed to attend upon with the Speaker in Parliament as Serjeant-at-Arms for the British House of Commons.
The Serjeant-at-Arms is the custodian of the Mace which, in turn, symbolises the authority of the Speaker in the House. This tradition was inherited by most of the modern-day democratic parliaments in the world. Many of the contemporary roles of the Serjeant-at-Arms stem from the historical and traditional aspect of the office: the ceremonial, security and housekeeping roles. However, the responsibilities have evolved over time and at present include a wide and varied range of responsibilities in keeping with the needs of the National Assembly as a modern organisation.
While there has been an evolution of the role, the focus remains very much on the provision of advice and services to the Speaker and the provision of advice and services to members. Under the Speaker, he enforces the Speaker's directives relating to order and decorum on the floor of the National Assembly and in the public galleries.
In this regard, Godfrey jocularly refers himself as the chief bouncer of the National Assembly. This is due to the fact that, during the period 1996 to 2010, he was called to action 20 times to escort members from the precincts after they were ordered to withdraw from the Chamber after having disregarded the authority of the Chair. His has, certainly, been a career of highlights that few people will be able to equal, and will most certainly become an interesting part of his memoirs. I hope he is going to write his memoirs.
He led the first postapartheid procession and - as a member on my left has said - announced Madiba into the National Assembly in 1994, and announced Madiba's procession out of the Chamber upon his retirement as President in 1999. He served in Parliament through the terms of six successive Presidents, namely P W Botha, F W de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and, currently, President Jacob Zuma. Furthermore, since our fair democratic elections in 1994, he has served under four Speakers, namely Frene Ginwala, Baleka Mbete, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, and, currently, Max Sisulu.
Godfrey has had the privilege of leading the ceremonial processions into the Chamber for the Joint Sitting of both Houses, as well as of meeting the following heads of state and dignitaries: Queen Elizabeth II of Britain - I think it was in 1995 - President Franois Mitterrand of France, President Sam Nujoma of Namibia, President Chissano of Mozambique, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, President Bill Clinton of the USA, President Fidel Castro of Cuba, President Yasser Arafat of Palestine, General Abubakar of Nigeria and Mr Kofi Annan, who was then the Secretary-General of the UN.
He was the founder member of the SA Serjeant-at-Arms Association. Being a founder member of the Commonwealth Association of Serjeants-at-Arms for Africa in 2000, he was elected chairperson for the period 2005 to 2007. For most of us who started our careers as Members of Parliament in 1994, 1995, 1999, 2004 and 2009, he has always been a very friendly face and a trusted source of information about what is happening on the House floor.
In January next year, when we return to Parliament after the recess, Godfrey will retire from the service of Parliament following 48 years of outstanding public service, during 16 years of which he was the Serjeant-at- Arms of this House. That is an achievement. [Applause.] For 16 years, Mr Cleinwerck served our country within the walls of Parliament with dignity and decorum.
Today, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Godfrey on his retirement after a remarkable career. We truly appreciate his hard work and dedication to our country. I'm sure I speak on behalf of all of us in the House when I say that it will be with a sense of nostalgia that we will look back on the life and service of such an outstanding public servant and close friend whose contributions were immeasurable.
He will be missed, but his work ethic will continue through his co-workers who, over the years, have admired admired him and have looked to him for guidance and up to him for the qualities he embodies, namely dedication, commitment, loyalty, enthusiasm, and reliability - all gems that we will cherish.
Needless to say, it takes a special individual to contend diplomatically with the wide range of personalities who make up the National Assembly. He has nevertheless truly earned the respect, admiration and affection of all of us, including members like myself who had the privilege to work with him.
We, on the ANC's side of the House, wish him the best. He has certainly earned the opportunity to kick up his heels and enjoy some time with his wife, Linda, his son and daughter, and his only grandchild, Alexia Rose. He will have all the time in the world to dedicate to his pet duties as secretary of the Owl Haven Night Shelter for homeless persons in Lansdowne, as life member of the Maitland Cottage Home Society in Newlands, as altar server at the All Saints Anglican Church in Plumstead, and for his favourite pastime, namely singing in that beautiful baritone voice.
Speaker, Deputy Speaker, in closing I wish to quote an Irish blessing to accompany Godfrey on his retirement:
May you always have work for your hands to do, May your pockets hold always a coin or two, May the sun shine bright on your windowpane, May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain, May the hand of a friend always be near you, May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Lastly, please continue to play golf ... [Laughter.] ... and enjoy it. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Motion agreed to.