Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
1) notes with profound sadness the passing away of Vivian "Vernie" Petersen, the now former Director-General of the Department of Sport and Recreation, who died after a short illness at the age of 52;
2) further notes the critical role he fulfilled formerly within the Department of Correctional Services as well as the dedicated part he played in the Department of Sport and Recreation;
3) recognises his role as a dedicated and conscientious public servant who contributed greatly to democracy and the Public Service;
4) further recognises the integrity and hard work he showed while he was the DG of the Department of Sport and Recreation by turning the fortunes of the department around - in the two years following Petersen's appointment, he was able to turn the disclaimers from the Auditor-General into clean audits for the department;
5) believes that honorable "Vernie" Petersen will be remembered for his integrity and his fight for justice in the public sector; and
6) further believes that he has left a gap in the Public Service and offers its sincere condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of "Vernie" Petersen.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Mr De Villiers?
Chairperson, my motion has the same content as that of hon Bloem.