Hon Chairperson, I was thinking, when I was asked to do it on behalf of the ANC, whether I should start, hon Meshoe, by saying the "hon K J R Meshoe", and then continue to say the "hon K J R Meshoe", as he was addressed some time back by a President in this House.
Members, Rev K R J Meshoe - Kenneth Raselabe Joseph Meshoe - was born in Pretoria and is the fourth of seven children. In 1972, he matriculated. In 1975, he graduated from the University of the North with a Secondary Teachers Diploma. In 1976, he married his wife, Lydia, and they have three children. In January 1987, Rev Meshoe went to Kingsport, Tennessee, in the United States, where he did his Secondary Theological Diploma. On 18 December 1994, Rev Meshoe was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bethel Christian College of Riverside, California, in the United States of America.
He launched the ADCP in 1993, and he became its first president and has remained this to date. Hon Meshoe served as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Police, and he was a very committed member of that committee during all his time, this despite the fact that he was leading a party, an example to many other leaders of political parties in this House. Never did he miss oversight visits, even if he could not stay for the full visit. Often he would travel long kilometres back home or to his appointments by road. His input was valued. Even if we did not always agree, you knew that you should listen, because what he said was of value.
Hon Meshoe was there and he led us in prayer when we visited families of police officers who had died in the line of duty. When there was tension in the committee, you could always rely on him and the hon Ndlovu to defuse the situation.
We are saying goodbye because, as is clear from his plans, he is not planning this as a farewell. We know that we will meet again, if not here, along the roads that life leads us. My wish for you, on behalf of the ANC, is "fly you high, run like the river". In the words of Lord George Gordon Byron: Fare thee well! and if for ever, Still for ever, fare thee well.
[Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished South African and political leader, the hon Rev Kenneth Meshoe. Hon Meshoe has worked tirelessly for 20 years as the leader of his party, the ACDP, and has overseen electoral growth in each election since 1994. He has faithfully and dutifully served his country his entire life, first as a teacher, then as a marriage counsellor, a pastor, and finally as a Member of Parliament.
I have had the great pleasure of working with the hon Meshoe in our capacity as Members of Parliament's Multiparty Opposition Forum. In that forum we have all, as opposition party leaders, had the benefit of Rev Meshoe's wisdom and patience and seen at first hand why he has enjoyed such a long and illustrious career in politics.
His strong convictions and humble dedication to championing social development, economic prosperity, justice and freedom of religion for all throughout our nation have earned him a reputation as a leader of principle. His contribution to the tapestry of South Africa's political life will be missed for the brief period that it will be absent, as will his presence here in Parliament. We in the Democratic Alliance are proud to have served in this Parliament's opposition benches alongside the hon Meshoe.
George Bernard Shaw once said: "Perhaps the greatest social service that can be rendered by anybody to the country and to mankind is to bring up a family." Reverend Meshoe has done just that, not only with his own family, but also through his leadership in the Republic of South Africa.
We wish the hon Meshoe well and all the very best in his future endeavours.
May the road rise up to meet him, may the wind be always at his back, may the sun shine warm upon his face, the rains fall soft upon his fields, and until we meet again, may God hold him in the palm of His hand.
I thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, I rise with trepidation. I am privileged to say farewell to Rev Meshoe. Hon Deputy President, you and I spent too much time away from the country to have known him. As a result, I don't have much to say. The first time I got to know the Rev Meshoe was when the First Parliament convened. It is when I learnt that there was a citizen called K R Meshoe, and I must say that I know Rev Meshoe to be very strong in his religious beliefs. He has always worked with extreme enthusiasm. Everything he has been doing in Parliament since I have known him has been with very thorough enthusiasm.
When I still occupied a seat this side, I was one of those ...
The best seats in the House!
Mr M G P LEKOTA ... in the best seats in the House, and I was one of those who suffered from his sharp tongue from time to time. I was relieved of that when I crossed over to the other side. [Laughter.] [Interjections.] Well, that may be your opinion, but I think the seats in the House are the same, thank you very much. [Interjections.]
I think that Rev Meshoe has been very consistent, in particular with his politics, guided by his very strong religious belief. This is something very important, because he constantly reminded us of the values that we were brought up with in South African society, and especially in the African communities, where religious, Christian values are so strong.
It is a bit sad that he is one of those who started with us here, and he is now going to leave. Actually, that reminds us that many of those with whom we started have retired, and some of them have left quietly without all of us realising that they are going; especially when people leave during elections, you often don't even have a chance to say farewell to them.
We spent a lot of time criticising each other's party-policy positions. It is at this time that we realise just how important individuals have been in parts of our lives, contributing in positive ways, helping to shape us and making us better people and so on. I would like to thank him for his participation and contribution to this House and to the lives of all of us who had the privilege of working with him. I hope that the future will continue to be bright, and I hope that God will bless all his works going forward. I thank you. [Applause.]
Sihlalo namalungu ahloniphekile ale Ndlu, i-IFP izobonga kuMfundisi ngegalelo lakhe lapha kule Ndlu.
UMfundisi ube ngumfundisi ngokwenkolo, ngokufundisa, ngokuqonda, ngokukhuluma nangokwenza. Lokhu kwenze ukuthi thina, ebesinaye eKomitini lamaPhoyisa sazi ukuthi ngaso sonke isikhathi uma ekhona uzocongobezela, asenze sibekezele ukuze nomsebenzi uqhubeke kahle.
Kuye kube buhlungwana-ke nokho ukuvalelisa kumuntu ngalolu hlobo ngoba asazi yini eholele lapha, ngoba akufanele sivalelise umuntu ngale ndlela; kufanele sivalelise umuntu ngoba eshonile kuphela. Uma umuntu ezoshiya umsebenzi kungesona isizathu sokudlula emhlabeni kuye kungacaci kahle.
Kepha-ke, ngenxa yokuthi lesi sinqumo sithathwe abenhlangano yakhe, naye uMfundisi wasamukela, sithi sengathi angahlala kahle futhi awenze kahle umsebenzi wenhlangano yakhe. Sifisa ukuthi azi ukuthi abantu baseNingizimu Afrika bayambonga ngomsebenzi wakhe, ikakhulukazi, iNkatha yeNkululeko, iyambongo ngomsebenzi wakhe nangokuzimisela kwakhe emsebenzini kanye nangayo yonke into ayenzile njengoMfundisi, nanjengomuntu obekade esigadile ngokomoya nangokwenza lapha ngaphakathi kule Ndlu. Bekuthi njalo uma kukhona lapho siphambana khona, njengendoda eqotho futhi ehlakaniphile akwazi ukusiqondisa, asikhombise indlela nokuthi kufanele sihambe kanjani siye phambili.
Ngikusho-ke lokhu njengoba kuyilona iqembu elimkhethile ukuthi akalihole. Ngakho-ke, siyambongela kakhulu, siyafisa ukuthi njengoba eya ekhaya ahlale kahle, yonke into ayenzayo ayenze kahle nangempumelelo, futhi nempilo yakhe ibe yinhle ukuze kuthi uma siphinda sibonana, sibonane esaphila; inyama isahlangene nomphefumulo. Mfundisi! Moruti! Ngiyabonga kakhulu. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu speech follows.)
[Mr V B NDLOVU: Chairperson and hon Members of this House, the IFP wishes to thank the Reverend for his contribution in this House.
The Reverend was a minister of religion and a teacher in the way that he displayed understanding, spoke and conducted himself. He instilled tolerance in us, his fellow members of the Portfolio Committee on Police. When he was present he would display a great deal of understanding and tolerance which assisted us to perform our functions properly.
It is sad to bid someone farewell in this way since we are not aware of what led to his departure. We are not supposed to say goodbye to him in this way; we should only do that when someone has passed away. When someone leaves their position in this manner other than because of death it is not easily understood.
Nevertheless, the decision was taken by his party and the Reverend also accepted it. We wish him well, and may he continue to serve his party properly. We wish to let him know that South Africans are grateful to him for the service he has rendered. The Inkatha Freedom Party especially thanks him for his dedicated service and all that he has done as a Reverend, as our spiritual leader and an example to all of us in this House. Each time we deviated from the path he led us back. As an intelligent and responsible man he has always managed to lead us back to the right path and show us the way forward.
I am saying this since he was elected by the party to lead it. Therefore, we congratulate him; we wish him a good rest at home. May all that he does prosper and we also wish him good health so that we may meet again. Reverend! Minister! Thank you very much. [Applause.]]
Hon Chairperson, it is indeed a great honour for me to say a word on the resignation of hon Meshoe.
During the dawn of our new democracy, when Rev Meshoe was elected, I was one of the first who said, "church must be church and politics must be politics, and pastors must stay at home and preach in church". However, since I have interacted with him, also as his colleague, I started to realise during various oversight visits, not only his value, but also the value that his party added to our new democracy, and the impact that his character has had on his public life.
Hon Meshoe is someone with integrity. It is very hard to separate his character from his actions. This is evident from his practical community work with projects such as feeding schemes, clothing the poor, and a women's centre. He is a true model of Christian faith in action.
We have various election campaign slogans, such as: "Working together, we can do more", "Know your DA", and "Time for Change." However, for Reverend Meshoe and his party, their slogan was "Operation Push Back Your Enemy with Prayer, Halleluiah!"
Hon Meshoe is the only hon member in the history of Parliament who was able to beat the speaker and the time allocation system. I remember the day he stood up here in Parliament, delivering his sermon. He actually went over his speaking time, and no one, not even the Speaker, had the courage to stop him, simply because who would want to stop the Reverend in the middle of a prayer. Tsamaya hantle, Mfundisi. Ke a leboga. [Farewell, Reverend. Thank you.] [Applause.]
House Chairperson, hon members, the UDM as a movement adds its voice in bidding farewell to the ACDP leader, Rev Meshoe. Rev Kenneth Meshoe has been an MP since the country achieved its independence and democracy in 1994. He has, during that time, made a monumental contribution to building and consolidating our democracy.
In all my interactions with Rev Meshoe, he came across as someone who is committed to improving the effectiveness of Parliament's oversight role. More importantly, he always talked about the need to ensure that Parliament truly represents the needs of the people it serves.
It has truly been a privilege working and interacting with you, Rev Meshoe, over the years that I've been in this Parliament. The UDM wishes you success on your new journey. Thank you, hon Chairperson. [Applause.]
Agb Voorsitter, die klas van 1994 word al kleiner. As ek nie verkeerd is nie, dink ek daar is dalk minder as 30 lede wat in 1994 hier begin het in die Parlement oor.
Eerw Meshoe was een van die klas van 1994. N die eerste demokratiese verkiesing was hy hier saam met sy party, die ACDP. Hy het op sy kenmerkende manier aan die verkiesing deelgeneem. Hy is verkies en van dag een af het hy as leier van sy party hier opgetree en 'n sekere styl en statuur uitgedra wat hy regdeur sy loopbaan van byna 20 jaar gedoen het.
Ek wil vir eerw Meshoe s dat daar is groot waardering vir die wyse waarop hy 20 jaar lank sy standpunte gestel het. Ek het hom nie een keer in hierdie Raad onwaardig sien optree nie. Hy was altyd "dignified". Hy het altyd met oortuiging sy standpunte gestel, en natuurlik het hy met die regerende party verskil. Hy het ook met ander partye verskil, wat sy goeie reg was, maar die manier waarop dit gedoen is, was vir ons almal 'n voorbeeld, en ek respekteer en eer hom daarvoor.
Ons wat in die kleiner partye is, weet watter moeilike stryd dit is om as 'n kleiner party in hierdie groot vertrek gehoor en gesien te word en om ons standpunte gestel te kry. Eerw Meshoe het vir byna 20 jaar lank daarin geslaag om effektief sy eie en sy party se standpunte hier te stel, en niemand kan s hulle het nie geweet waar hy of die ACDP staan nie.
Ek wil vir hom alles van die beste toewens waar hy uit die Parlement bedank en uit die politiek tree. Ons hoop dat daar vir hom 'n mooi en rustige tyd saam met sy familie en geliefdes sal wees. Hy kan huistoe gaan en weet die spreekwoord s ... (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Dr C P MULDER: Hon Chairperson, the class of 1994 is getting smaller and smaller. If I am not mistaken, I think there might be less than 30 members left in Parliament who started here in 1994.
Rev Meshoe is a member of the class of 1994. He started here with his party, the ACDP, after the first democratic election. He participated in the election in his characteristic manner. He was elected and, from day one, acted as leader of his party with a certain style and stature, which he continued doing throughout his career of almost 20 years.
I want to say to Rev Meshoe that there is great appreciation for the way in which he expressed his views during these past 20 years. Not once have I seen him act in an undignified manner. He was always dignified. He always expressed his views with conviction, and of course he differed from the ruling party. He also differed from other parties, as was his right, but he did this in a manner that set an example to us all, and I respected and honoured him for that.
Those of us who serve in the smaller parties know how difficult it is to be heard and seen, and to be able to express your views in this big Chamber. Rev Meshoe succeeded in expressing his and his party's views effectively here for almost 20 years, and nobody can claim that they were unaware of his or the ACDP's position.
I want to wish him all of the best with his retirement from Parliament and politics. We hope that he will enjoy a beautiful and peaceful time with his family and loved ones. He can go home and know that as the saying goes ...]
One person at the right time can make a difference. You made that difference. [Applause.]
It is very rare that a leader of a party decides to step down during a parliamentary term, but the Rev Meshoe is setting an unparalleled precedent, in which he shows that no one is bigger than the institution they represent. The interests of the party precede whatever plans he may have.
Having entered politics and Parliament in 1994, and standing up to liberalists, irreligious and sometimes unchristian colleagues in Parliament, the Rev Meshoe never doubted in speaking the truth, and in speaking out and against immorality in and outside of Parliament.
His conscience always told him to say it as it is. Whatever and wherever he will be engaging after leaving, we can only hope it will be to the benefit of the Christian community at large and South Africa in its entirety.
There is no doubt that he has fought a good fight to espouse Christian values in a sometimes not so very friendly atmosphere. All that we in the UCDP can say is, well done, Moruti. Wherever you will be, let your light shine upon all people under the sun. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon House Chairperson and hon members, I do not have enough words to pay tribute to the hon Moruti Meshoe. I was taken aback by the announcement that he would be resigning. The opposition benches will be poorer without him. Indeed, this House will be poorer without his important input during debates.
On behalf of Azapo, I wish hon Meshoe well in whatever he will be doing. I quote Shakespeare's words to him:
Farewell! If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; If not, why then, this parting was well made.
To you, Moruti, we can only say, go in peace and continue to serve the Lord. God bless you abundantly. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
House Chairperson, Deputy President and hon members, I highly appreciate all the kind words that you have all said. I obviously have mixed emotions right now. One does not know until moments like this arrive how much one is appreciated and how well one's input is received. So, I am greatly appreciative of all the kind words that have been said.
It was indeed a privilege to be a member of the National Assembly since our first democratic election in 1994, which saw the last vestiges of apartheid put behind us. It was also an honour and privilege to serve under the leadership and Presidency of former President Nelson Mandela, who showed remarkable statesmanship, courage and ability to unite the entire nation behind a process of reconciliation and nation-building.
Many of my colleagues in this House have been asking me why I have decided to resign from Parliament and what I will be doing from now on. To answer these questions, I want to inform hon members that the 2014 elections are very important to me and to the ACDP. We would like to see the party move beyond its small minority status and take a big leap forward in our representation in all spheres of government. In order to do this, we have to do a lot of groundwork and have to become much more visible to voters. I intend to lead by example and make myself more available to the party, our core constituents and the broader public. I will be working with our people on the ground, reaching out to more voters from diverse communities and also strengthening the ACDP's structures.
My other focus will also be on media and communication. This will require substantial funding to successfully compete on a level playing field with other political parties.
Hon members, be assured that I am neither quitting politics nor stepping down as the leader of the ACDP. I will be suitably replaced by the ACDP's deputy president, Councillor Wayne Thring, who has been with the party for 13 years in the Ethekwini Metro, serving as the caucus leader in council, and currently also as the provincial leader of the party in KwaZulu-Natal. He is a man of integrity, wisdom and balance and I am confident that he will do his job with diligence.
God willing, I will see many of you after the 2014 general elections when I will be coming back to Parliament with an army of new ACDP members. [Interjections.]
I want to close my farewell remarks by invoking the Aaronic benediction as recorded in the book of Numbers 6:24-26. It reads as follows:
The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.
Lastly, I want to thank my heavenly Father for giving me good health and grace to fulfil my duties in this Parliament, and the opportunity to do my utmost to protect and promote biblical principles in politics as I understand them. A number of people have asked me, could you not do what you want to do outside Parliament, while you are a Member of Parliament? The fact is, with the kind of schedule I will be having for about four to five months, it will not be possible for me to come to Parliament. So, my conscience will not allow me to continue getting a salary from Parliament when I am not available. So, it is a matter of conscience that when you are paid by Parliament, you need to be in Parliament. [Applause.]
Ladies and gentlemen, hon members, with these words I want to say to everybody that I love you all - I am not sure, Chairperson, whether it is parliamentary to say that to all Members of Parliament but allow me to say so. I am glad that I am leaving with no bitterness. I'm leaving not knowing an enemy that I have. You are all my friends. I am not going for good. I'm going just for a season. I will be back to do what I love to do, which is to help South Africa become a better nation and also a winning nation and a prosperous nation. So, the Lord bless you all. Thank you very much for staying this late to hear my words. Thank you, sir. [Applause.]
Hon members, you may take your seats. That concludes the farewell speeches. The presiding officers also wish to take this opportunity, hon Meshoe, to wish you well in your endeavours.