Mr Speaker, I move:
That the House -
1) notes with great sadness that on 19 November 2010 the news was received of the passing on of Mrs Bertha Gxowa, one of the most committed heroines of the struggle for freedom and democracy in South Africa;
2) further notes that MaBertha, as she was affectionately known, was one of the many men and women who selflessly chose to dedicate their lives to the people of this country and the improvement of the quality of life for all South Africans; 3) recalls that MaBertha was born on 28 November 1934 in Germiston location where she spent her early childhood and that she went to school at the Thokoza Primary School and then the public secondary school, both in the location, and that she began her working life as an office assistant for the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union;
4) remembers that she joined the ANC Youth League during the anti- Bantu education campaign which strengthened her involvement in politics, but her involvement was quickly shifted to focus around the plight of women and she became a founder member of the Federation of South African Women, which organised the historic women's march against pass laws in 1956;
5) further recalls that MaBertha travelled the entire country with Helen Joseph, collecting petitions that were to be delivered to the Union Buildings during the march, that 20 000 petitions were collected in total and between 1956 and 1958 MaBertha was a defendant in the Treason Trial and in 1960 was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act;
6) further remembers that in 1990, after the unbanning of all political parties, MaBertha was called upon to reorganise the ANC's Katlehong branch and she started a women's social club that was invited to participate in voter education during the 1994 election campaign and also became a Member of Parliament and was actively involved with the ANC Women's League where she was national treasurer and chairperson of the Gauteng province;
7) acknowledges her life achievements and major contribution to the freedom and rights we enjoy today, for which she was presented with the Order of Luthuli for her distinguished contribution to the struggle as a nation and that the House shall be eternally grateful and is very proud of her; and
8) conveys its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and comrades in the ANC, ANCYL, ANCWL and alliance.
Speaker, it is an honour to be able to pay tribute to the late hon Gxowa, or MaBertha as she was affectionately called. I had the pleasure of working with her on the Health and Home Affairs portfolio committees, and what struck me most about her was that she was always gracious and ladylike. Insults and racial posturing had no place in her life.
She really had humble beginnings and, while reading a story of her life, I wondered whether she fully realised, at the tender age of 22, that by participating in that historic march to the Union Buildings she was not only shaping her own future, but that of all women, including me. She grew up and was schooled in Germiston location. Her experiences in the location, where permits were required to live in it and to move out of it, were probably the trigger that caused her to volunteer to be part of the first Defiance Campaign, when she went into Krugersdorp without a permit. She was arrested and spent 10 days in prison after refusing to pay a fine.
She was one of the galaxy of luminaries who against all odds conceptualised, organised and led from the front the 1956 Women's March to Pretoria. They mobilised 20 000 women of all races. The spirit of fighting for the liberation, equality and freedom of all women in South Africa was the common thread of unity.
She said, and I quote:
We had no funds, transport or access to the media, nor the organisational or political machinery, the things we take for granted today. We pulled it off, because we thought we had nothing to lose except the repressive politics of apartheid.
That march consolidated women's rights. Today, women have a right to education, to own property and to self-determination, among others.
Between 1956 and 1958 MaBertha was a defendant in the Treason Trial and, shortly thereafter, she was served with a five-year banning order under the Suppression of Communism Act, restricting her to the magisterial district of Germiston. It must have been a tough and lonely time for both her and her family.
However, this did not deter her. She involved herself in church activities and worked as a volunteer for the SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Sanca. She became a Member of Parliament in 1994 and served the ANC loyally. Her involvement in 2003 with Cell C's Take a Girl- child to Work campaign is yet another legacy for which she will be well remembered. She lived a rich and fulfilling life.
While we are saddened by her untimely death, we trust that both the ANC and her immediate family will not only mourn their loss, but also celebrate her life and her achievements. As a person, she chose not to be a victim. She made a huge sacrifice in emphasising that a woman's place is anywhere she chooses to be.
I personally feel honoured to have met someone like MaBertha. I remember seeing her face on a billboard at O R Tambo Airport commemorating the historic march, and saying with pride to my daughter, "I know that lady and I worked with her." We in the DA thank you for sharing her with us and wish you strength in this difficult time. MaBertha, your work is done - rest in peace! [Applause.]
Speaker, we in Cope wish to join our voices with those of others in this honourable House to pay tribute to an admired colleague. It was with profound sadness that we received news of the passing away of Comrade Bertha Gxowa, a true struggle warrior. She died on 19 November 2010 as a result of postsurgery complications.
Comrade Bertha played a distinguished role in fighting for freedom and strengthening the role of women in our political life. In 1956, she helped to establish the Federation of South African Women. It was this federation which organised the historic Women's March against pass laws. She travelled the length and breadth of the country, along with Helen Joseph and others, to collect petitions that were to be delivered to the Union Buildings.
Such was her commitment to freedom that she was arrested and was a defendant during the Treason Trial in 1960. Not surprisingly, she was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act for 11 years.
After that, she joined the SA National Tuberculosis Association, Santa, doing community work; and for a while was a member of the trade union movement.
She eventually became a Member of Parliament and was actively involved with the ANC Women's League where she was chairperson of the Gauteng province and later the national treasurer. In Parliament she served with distinction on a number of committees. I can truly say that I was privileged to serve with her on the Portfolio Committees on Health, and Foreign Affairs, and the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests and in many ad hoc committees. Bertha brought to the committees the zeal of a campaigner, the passion of a reformer and the intensity of a selfless leader.
Comrade Bertha made a lasting contribution to the emancipation of women in South Africa through her participation in many NGOs, including her immense contribution as national chairperson of the Malibongwe Women's Development project. Her great strength came from an indomitable spirit, persevering integrity and spiritual righteousness.
She has passed on, but her legacy will endure. We as Cope extend our sincerest condolences to the ANC, the many organisations she served and the many people who held her dear. To her family we say, we understand the depth of your bereavement, but at the same time we believe that you should also celebrate the worth of her life and the positive impact on our country of her existence.
Today, with one voice, we say to this stalwart of the liberation struggle: "Hamba kakuhle, Comrade Bertha Gxowa." Sithi kusapho lwakhe: "Thuthuzelekani lusapho lwakwaGxowa, uThixo anomeleze." Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.] ["Farewell, Comrade Bertha Gxowa." To her family, the Gxowa family, we say: "Please be comforted and may God give you all the strength you need." Thank you. [Applause.]]
Hon Speaker, on behalf of the IFP, I would like to associate myself with the motion of condolence for the late Mrs Bertha Gxowa. The IFP salutes a true champion of human rights, especially women's rights. Her sense of justice and gender equality moved her to volunteer to be in one of the first groups of defiance campaigners who went into Krugersdorp without permits. She was subsequently arrested for this and spent 10 days in prison after refusing to pay a fine.
She was indeed a great example for other women as she took every opportunity to educate herself. For instance, she made use of the opportunity presented to her by the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union to study bookkeeping and shorthand at a commercial college. Her excellent contribution to the trade union and the political struggle against apartheid earned her the Order of Luthuli in silver on 22 April 2008.
Her political career gained momentum when she joined the ANC Youth League during the anti-Bantu education campaign. She became a founding member of the Federation of South African Women, which organised the historic Women's March against pass laws to the Union Buildings in 1956. She was responsible for the 20 000 petitions against the pass laws that were collected for this march and, by the way, she was the youngest of them all.
Between 1956 and 1958 Bertha was a defendant in the Treason Trial, and in 1960 she was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act, a status she retained for 11 years. Once her banning order was lifted, she joined the SA National Tuberculosis Association, doing community work.
Mrs Gxowa also sat as chairperson on the boards of two women's skills development projects, Malibongwe and Kwaze Kwasa. Both these projects are committed to the total emancipation of women.
Hon Speaker, the IFP salutes Mrs Gxowa for her display of absolute integrity and grace while she was a member of this House. She was a true pioneer, a prime example and inspiration to other women.
Ngesikhathi ngifika lapha ePhalamende, ngahlangana naye kanti sasikade sisebenza ndawonye eGauteng ngaleziya zikhathi ezazinzima. Sahlangana sahlela umkhuleko omkhulu ngesikhathi uNdunankulu waseGauteng kungudokotela uMathole. Sathi ngokhetho lwangonyaka ka-2000, ngeke lube khona udlame eGauteng. Sama nomama uBertha, ngempela aluzange lubekhona udlame kuze kube yinamhlanje.[Ihlombe.]
Uma kuza kwezepolitiki, bekunguye umngani wami, umngani wami omkhulu ngoba sasenza izinto zenzeke eGauteng. Uma kunamaphrojekthi, uBertha ubengakhethi iphela emasini, wayazi ukuthi wonke amantombazana aseNingizimu Afrika kufanele angene azuze. Ngiyacela ukuthi nakulawa mantombazane alapha - uyazi-ke umama uMhlonishwa u-Angie - sibuya kude nabo siphethe iGauteng njengoba ithule inje.
Ngakho-ke ngimi lapha ngokuziqhenya okukhulu ngoba ubengibiza ngesicwicwicwi. [Uhleko.] Ngenxa yokuthi besisebenza ngokubambisana ezintweni zonke ebezenzeka eGauteng ... [Uhleko.]. Ehheee! phela besigqoka kahle ... [Uhleko.] Izingane zaseGauteng bese zisibiza ngalo leli gama elithi 'izicwicwicwi'. Uma ngingekho bebebona ukuthi ziyashoda izicwicwicwi. [Uhleko.] Uma engekho uBertha nabe-IFP bebebona ukuthi kukhona okusilele. I-Kwazekwasa le besiyibambe naye umama uBertha. Mhlonishwa u-Angie, usuyobaxoxela-ke mfowethu. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[When I came to Parliament, I met with her - in fact, we were working together in Gauteng during those hard times. We met and organised a big prayer meeting when Dr Mathole Motshekga was the Premier of the Gauteng province. During the 2000 elections, we said there would be no violence in Gauteng. We stood firm with Mrs Bertha Gxowa, and indeed there was no violence, up until today. [Applause.]
When it came to politics, she was my best friend because we succeeded in whatever we did in Gauteng. With regard to the projects, Bertha was never biased; she knew that all the South African girls had to be involved and had to benefit. I'm appealing to these girls who are here - hon Angie knows we have come a long way in managing Gauteng since it is still so quiet.
Therefore I stand here with great pride because she used to call me a well- to-do person as well. [Laughter.] We really worked co-operatively, in everything we did in Gauteng. [Laughter.] Indeed! We used to be well dressed. [Laughter.] The Gauteng children called us "well-to-do people". If I wasn't there, they would feel that one of the well-to-do people was missing. [Laughter.] If Bertha was not around, even the IFP members would feel that something was missing. We were working together with Bertha in this Kwaze Kwasa. Hon Angie, colleague, you will then tell them more. Thank you. [Applause.]]
Hon Speaker, on behalf of the ID we wish to express our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Bertha Gxowa. Bertha who passed away in Johannesburg at the age of 75 on Friday, 19 November 2010, was a veteran anti-apartheid activist. She was especially known and respected as the organiser of the 1956 Women's March to the Union Buildings against the extension of passes to women. The march has become a milestone in South Africa's history books.
It was an absolute pleasure to have served alongside her as a Member of Parliament. Had Bertha been alive during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children last year, she would undoubtedly have played an important and active role in the campaigning and awareness drive. Bertha is no longer here with us, but may her memories stay with us forever.
Hon Speaker and hon members, on behalf of the UDM I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late hon Bertha Gxowa who passed away on 19 November 2010. All those who have had the privilege of working and interacting with her in this House since our first democratic elections in 1994 will confirm her commitment to parliamentary work and dedication to serving the people of South Africa.
The late hon Gxowa's monumental contribution to the liberation of this country leaves us all eternally indebted to her for the freedoms we now enjoy. Throughout her life she selflessly put the interests of the people of South Africa above her own. The late hon Gxowa's involvement in different kinds of community development projects and her outstanding role in the fight for the advancement of the causes of women further confirm an unselfish concern for the welfare of others. Robala ka khut?o. [Rest in peace.] Thank you.
Agb Speaker, kollegas, dit is vir my 'n voorreg en 'n eer om namens die VF Plus saam met u die mosie ter roubeklag van ons kollega, Bertha Gxowa, te ondersteun. Ons het Bertha oor baie jare in hierdie Parlement leer ken as 'n gewaardeerde kollega wat altyd op 'n baie waardige manier haar bydraes gemaak het. Ek het haar nooit kwaad gesien nie. Ek het haar nooit opgewerk gesien nie. Sy was altyd rustig en bestendig, en sy het altyd haar standpunte doelgerig gestel.
Ek het haar jare gelede, reeds in 1997, beter leer ken met 'n parlementre besoek aan Suid-Amerika en Brazili saam met die gesondheidskomitee. Daar het sy ook, soos wat sy altyd gedoen het, haar insette op 'n waardige manier gemaak en op die regte manier haar standpunte gestel.
Wanneer sy my in die gange raakgeloop het, het sy altyd vir my net een vraag gevra. Sy het onmiddellik vir my gevra waar die VF Plus se dames in die Parlement is. Ek het altyd daarop geantwoord dat sy nie bekommerd moet wees nie en dat ons daaraan werk. Ek kan haar verseker dat ons nog steeds daaraan werk. Sy gaan nie hier wees om dit te sien nie, maar sy moet net weet dat die dames nog sal kom. Sy sal dit sien.
Ons dra graag ons meegevoel oor aan haar gesin en haar familie, ook aan haar party wat 'n lid verloor het en aan almal wat 'n kameraad en kollega verloor het. Sterkte aan haar gesin. Ons dink aan julle in hierdie moeilike tyd. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Dr C P MULDER: Hon Speaker, colleagues, on behalf of the FF Plus, it is a privilege and an honour to join you in support of the motion of condolence for our colleague, Bertha Gxowa. We got to know Bertha in this Parliament over many years as a respected colleague who always contributed in a very dignified manner. I never saw her angry. I never saw her agitated. She was always calm and steadfast, and she always put her point of view in a resolute manner.
Years ago, as long ago as 1997, I came to know her better during a parliamentary visit to South America and Brazil as part of the committee on health. There she contributed as she always did, in a dignified manner, putting across her points of view in the correct manner.
Whenever she came across me in the corridors, she always asked me only one question. She immediately asked me where the ladies from the FF Plus were in Parliament. I always replied to this by saying that she need not be concerned and that we were working on it. I can assure her that we are still working on it. She won't be here to see it, but she just needs to know that the ladies will still be coming. She will see it.
We would like to extend our condolences to her family and relatives, also to her party who lost a member and to everyone who lost a comrade and a colleague. We wish her family all of the best. We are thinking of you during these difficult times. Thank you.]
Speaker, the ACDP was saddened to note the death of Bertha Gxowa in November. MaBertha, as she was affectionately known, almost reached her 77th birthday. This was too young, in my opinion, for such an amazing woman to die, but she had so obviously packed several lifetimes of experience into her almost 77 years.
Bertha, a staunch African Methodist, referred to herself as a woman of the church, and shared with me her passion for preaching on many issues. She carried herself with dignity and authority at Parliament, as she firmly held her ground on issues that were close to her heart, a heart that had no doubt known much hurt and pain over the years.
Bertha and I served together in the Health committee. During her time there, we had occasion to disagree radically over the issue of abortion and the right to life of a child still in the mother's womb. Her passion and pain were evident. I loved and respected her for her willingness to respond to life and she experienced it in the most honest and courageous way she knew how. I am sure Bertha must have been admired and loved by many and will be sorely missed.
The ACDP extends its heartfelt condolences to her five children and their families on the loss of their mother and grandmother. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, the UCDP would like to convey its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the hon Bertha Gxowa, a woman, a rock and a leader in her own right. Hers was a life of truly humble beginnings. Some people become history when they pass on, and some have made history that cannot be wiped away, and their legacies will continue to speak to many generations to come. Bertha was such a woman. Her role in the organisation of the 1956 Women's March rendered her a history-maker. It was good and fitting that she was honoured with the Order of Luthuli for her excellent contribution to trade unions. May her soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker, the mere thought of losing a loved one is indeed great pain. The great Mahatma Gandhi once said that if you have to start a war of peace, then you have to first start with our children. This is precisely where our dear MaBertha commenced. She was a great personality amongst the youth and the women.
We are really saddened by the death of MaBertha. The MF would like to convey its heartfelt condolences to family and friends of the late MaBertha. We further extend our condolences to the ANC, the ANC Youth League, the ANC Women's League and its alliance for losing such a great charismatic leader and fearless fighter.
It is quite correctly said that a true leader is one who adds value to society, and MaBertha was no stranger to this amazing characteristic. I have no doubt that MaBertha could have lived with losing a good fight, but would have never lived without fighting it.
May God bestow upon her family and friends peace, courage and fortitude to deal with their irreplaceable loss. May peace be granted unto her and, through the grace of God Almighty, her soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed an honour and a privilege to contribute to the debate in this House. My first speech is a tribute to the life and times of someone whom most of the hon members on both sides of the House knew and highly respected - the late hon MaBertha Gxowa, as she was fondly known.
I knew MaBertha since 1952, almost six decades to be exact. We were both products of our respective trade unions. MaBertha hailed from the Garment Workers' Union of the Transvaal, as it was known during that time, and I came from the Textile Workers Union of Port Elizabeth.
MaBertha had impeccable characteristics, as most members may attest. These were inherent traits that she possessed, but which were also deeply influenced by the culture of discipline, hard work and ethics of the Garment Workers' Union. The members of the Garment Workers' Union were grounded in the sound moral values of adherence to punctuality and respect for one another. These were all part of the values that were inculcated into members by the unions in those days. Things were done in a particular fashion and if you were found to be ill-disciplined, you were marginalised or ostracised by fellow workers and the leadership.
MaBertha was blessed with all the right qualities and these were also strengthened by the influence of her trade union activism. Mam' uGxowa was also a true disciplinarian, especially in relation to the dress code of the ANC Women's League. She would not hesitate to take women to task and remind them of one's bringing the organisation into disrepute by not adhering to the dress code.
What was never in question to us was her dedication and commitment to hard work. She had a deep sense of devotion and purpose in any task she undertook, which was what I greatly admired in her.
One of her many talents was that of administration, which stood her in good stead when she was elected as treasurer of the ANC Women's League. Mam' uBertha headed the collective that set up Malibongwe, the unit that fundraised for the ANC Women's League. She, together with her team, built Malibongwe into a thriving venture which assisted in financing many of the league's projects. However, she was also a hard taskmaster and would severely question each requisition that came to her desk.
Most of us will remember Mam' uBertha for her personal qualities. She knew how to dress well with style and grace, what to wear for what occasion, and her hair was always well, groomed. Mam' uBertha was blessed with all these fine qualities but she remained humble without being subservient.
Bertha Gxowa participated in all the major and minor campaigns in our struggle to liberate our country. She was at the forefront with leading figures of our organisation, men and women. There were comrades such as Dora Tamana, John Motshabi, Ida Mtwana, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Robert Resha. The list is endless. She was also one of the 156 trialists in the Treason Trial in 1956 and was part of the larger group that was finally acquitted.
However, the highlight of Mam' uBertha's life was the women's great march to the Union Buildings in 1956. She was a main strategist for the march and responsible for its ultimate success. The mass, militant demonstration against passes gained women tremendous respect and admiration for their courage and determination to rid the country of white domination.
As we all know, 9 August was declared and recognised as one of our national days in the history of our struggle. At the time, the late ANC president, Chief Albert Luthuli, said, and I quote:
When women begin to take an active part in the struggle, as they are doing now, no power on earth can stop us from achieving freedom in our lifetime.
When the hon Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was asked to say a few words during the 50th anniversary celebration of 9 August at the Cape Grace Hotel here in Cape Town, among the remarks she made was to remind women to never forget the long and arduous road travelled to get where they are today. She also said that if it had not been for Mam' uBertha, with the class of 1956 women, she would not have been a Minister.
Therefore, let us all double our efforts in memory of Mam' uBertha, to use whatever powers, authority and influence we have as representatives to better the lives of our people. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Agreed to.
Hon members will recall that last week the House observed a moment of silence in memory of our late colleague. We will not do so again this time. The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the family of Mam' uGxowa, the ANC, the ANC Youth League, the ANC Women's League and the ANC alliance partners. I thank you.