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.]