Madam Deputy Speaker, first of all, I must apologise for the state of my voice; it was caused by smoking. [Laughter.] A friend of mine, Mr Ndlovu - I don't see him here - has for many years been saying, "Come on man, give up smoking." But I have not been successful after several attempts. [Laughter.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, in recognition of the outstanding service of the outgoing Serjeant-at-Arms, Mr Godfrey Cleinwerck, to the National Assembly, this, on behalf of the ANC, is my farewell tribute to him.
The Speaker and members, Deputy Ministers and Ministers arise to commemorate Godfrey Edward Cleinwerck for his 48 years of dedicated service to the Republic of South Africa ... [Applause.] ... but more specifically for his 16 years as Serjeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly.
Mr Cleinwerck was, in his own words - sorry for the repetition; many people have said this - born, bred, educated and worked his entire career under the slopes of our beautiful Table Mountain. His working career started at the age of 17 at the then Coloured Affairs Department, which later came to be known as the Administration of the House of Representatives. He was appointed as Serjeant-at-Arms of the then House of Representatives in September 1984 and held the position until 1994.
Godfrey - as he is fondly known by most of us - began his career as Serjeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly after the first democratic elections in 1994. Now, to the backbenchers of the House, who may or may not know the origin of this position, the Serjeant-at-Arms has been a part of British history since 1279, when King Edward I formed a bodyguard of 20 Serjeants-at-Arms. The gentlemen under that title carried a decorated battle mace as a weapon and as a badge of that particular office. In 1415, one of their number was appointed to attend upon with the Speaker in Parliament as Serjeant-at-Arms for the British House of Commons.
The Serjeant-at-Arms is the custodian of the Mace which, in turn, symbolises the authority of the Speaker in the House. This tradition was inherited by most of the modern-day democratic parliaments in the world. Many of the contemporary roles of the Serjeant-at-Arms stem from the historical and traditional aspect of the office: the ceremonial, security and housekeeping roles. However, the responsibilities have evolved over time and at present include a wide and varied range of responsibilities in keeping with the needs of the National Assembly as a modern organisation.
While there has been an evolution of the role, the focus remains very much on the provision of advice and services to the Speaker and the provision of advice and services to members. Under the Speaker, he enforces the Speaker's directives relating to order and decorum on the floor of the National Assembly and in the public galleries.
In this regard, Godfrey jocularly refers himself as the chief bouncer of the National Assembly. This is due to the fact that, during the period 1996 to 2010, he was called to action 20 times to escort members from the precincts after they were ordered to withdraw from the Chamber after having disregarded the authority of the Chair. His has, certainly, been a career of highlights that few people will be able to equal, and will most certainly become an interesting part of his memoirs. I hope he is going to write his memoirs.
He led the first postapartheid procession and - as a member on my left has said - announced Madiba into the National Assembly in 1994, and announced Madiba's procession out of the Chamber upon his retirement as President in 1999. He served in Parliament through the terms of six successive Presidents, namely P W Botha, F W de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and, currently, President Jacob Zuma. Furthermore, since our fair democratic elections in 1994, he has served under four Speakers, namely Frene Ginwala, Baleka Mbete, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, and, currently, Max Sisulu.
Godfrey has had the privilege of leading the ceremonial processions into the Chamber for the Joint Sitting of both Houses, as well as of meeting the following heads of state and dignitaries: Queen Elizabeth II of Britain - I think it was in 1995 - President Franois Mitterrand of France, President Sam Nujoma of Namibia, President Chissano of Mozambique, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, President Bill Clinton of the USA, President Fidel Castro of Cuba, President Yasser Arafat of Palestine, General Abubakar of Nigeria and Mr Kofi Annan, who was then the Secretary-General of the UN.
He was the founder member of the SA Serjeant-at-Arms Association. Being a founder member of the Commonwealth Association of Serjeants-at-Arms for Africa in 2000, he was elected chairperson for the period 2005 to 2007. For most of us who started our careers as Members of Parliament in 1994, 1995, 1999, 2004 and 2009, he has always been a very friendly face and a trusted source of information about what is happening on the House floor.
In January next year, when we return to Parliament after the recess, Godfrey will retire from the service of Parliament following 48 years of outstanding public service, during 16 years of which he was the Serjeant-at- Arms of this House. That is an achievement. [Applause.] For 16 years, Mr Cleinwerck served our country within the walls of Parliament with dignity and decorum.
Today, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Godfrey on his retirement after a remarkable career. We truly appreciate his hard work and dedication to our country. I'm sure I speak on behalf of all of us in the House when I say that it will be with a sense of nostalgia that we will look back on the life and service of such an outstanding public servant and close friend whose contributions were immeasurable.
He will be missed, but his work ethic will continue through his co-workers who, over the years, have admired admired him and have looked to him for guidance and up to him for the qualities he embodies, namely dedication, commitment, loyalty, enthusiasm, and reliability - all gems that we will cherish.
Needless to say, it takes a special individual to contend diplomatically with the wide range of personalities who make up the National Assembly. He has nevertheless truly earned the respect, admiration and affection of all of us, including members like myself who had the privilege to work with him.
We, on the ANC's side of the House, wish him the best. He has certainly earned the opportunity to kick up his heels and enjoy some time with his wife, Linda, his son and daughter, and his only grandchild, Alexia Rose. He will have all the time in the world to dedicate to his pet duties as secretary of the Owl Haven Night Shelter for homeless persons in Lansdowne, as life member of the Maitland Cottage Home Society in Newlands, as altar server at the All Saints Anglican Church in Plumstead, and for his favourite pastime, namely singing in that beautiful baritone voice.
Speaker, Deputy Speaker, in closing I wish to quote an Irish blessing to accompany Godfrey on his retirement:
May you always have work for your hands to do, May your pockets hold always a coin or two, May the sun shine bright on your windowpane, May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain, May the hand of a friend always be near you, May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Lastly, please continue to play golf ... [Laughter.] ... and enjoy it. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Motion agreed to.