Hon House Chairperson, it's an honour and a privilege for me, on behalf of the FF Plus, to associate ourselves with the motion on the Order Paper today, where we are taking leave of our Serjeant-at-arms.
I met the Serjeant-at-arms, Regina Mohlomi, when she came here in 1996. I quite often saw her in the corridors, and later in the House.
As was correctly pointed out, she has served as Serjeant- at-arms for the last eight years. She is the first woman to be appointed in that role. She has always discharged her duties with so much dignity and close regard for the procedures of the House.
It is the duty of the Serjeant-at-arms to escort the presiding officers into the Chamber, and the President and other dignitaries during the state of the nation address, and to assist the presiding officers to maintain order in the House. Now that is one thing I think our colleague Regina did not always like to do. Because, under the instructions of a presiding officer and in terms of Rule 61, she from time to time had to act to
remove members from the House. If you look at Rule 57(3)(a) and (b) those who disrupt the proceedings had to be told to leave the House.
Now, the hon Paulsen indicated just now that there was no other choice: They were forced to do what they did for history's sake and Ms Regina Mohlomi played her role in that.
However, our colleagues from the EFF made one vital mistake. They didn't realise that Regina also had some friends ... friends with white shirts ... [Laughter.]
So, maybe they took Regina a bit lightly and thought they could handle her. But Regina's friends did what they needed to do and that's also part of history, and we all know that history!
It's always sad when a colleague leaves us. From time to time, that happens, and Regina is doing so today. I can only speak from my own experience. I can honestly say that I, in all those years, have not on one occasion met Regina in the corridors of this precinct when she did not
return a greeting with a huge smile. She always smiled and she was always in a good mood, and she always acted in that manner.
My father taught me - and I think it's true for all of us
- that one person in the right place at the right time can make a difference. We all know that Regina made that difference in our institution. [Applause.]
So, on behalf of the FF Plus and our colleagues, I want to say goodbye to Regina. She will always remain part of the family of Parliament. She will always be welcome here. We wish her well in her retirement.
If I may end in my home language:
Afrikaans:
Regina, jy moet mooi loop. Geniet jou aftrede. Wees veilig, en ons s vir jou baie, baie dankie! [Applous.]