Deputy Speaker, hon members, it was with a heavy heart that the IFP learnt of the sad passing of Ambassador Jannie Momberg on 7 January 2011.
Jannie, or "Jannie Bek," as he was known within political circles, had a distinguished career spanning over 50 years, beginning with the National Party, within whose ranks he rose to become one of the party's leading parliamentarians. In 1989, he was instrumental in the founding of the Democratic Party and in 1992 joined the ANC after its unbanning.
Jannie climbed swiftly through the ranks of the ANC, becoming one of the party's first parliamentarians in 1994, serving his time as House Whip and chairperson of the Programming Committee, where his prior parliamentary experience proved to be an invaluable guiding light to his party in navigating the highways and byways of parliamentary procedures. He was also directly involved at a community level and, in particular, with various informal settlements in and around the Western Cape, which he vehemently defended against all opposition.
In 2001, Jannie received the ambassadorship to Greece, a post in which he served with the utmost aplomb and distinction, thereafter retiring to Muizenberg, Cape Town, with his wife, Trienie, and keeping himself busy with various business ventures and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, whom he loved very dearly.
Jannie, as was mentioned at his funeral service in Stellenbosch, was a bridge builder, a peacemaker, a critical link between two deeply divided traditional and political cultures. This role came at no small cost to Jannie personally, which is in itself a testament to the strength of character of the man. As they say, "Cometh the hour, cometh the man." Jannie Momberg was truly one of these special individuals.
Jannie had a great love for sport and was directly involved in South African athletics at local, national and international levels, one of the highlights of his ambassadorship being the hosting of the South African Olympic team at his ambassadorial residence in Athens during the Olympic Games.
South Africa truly needs more individuals of the calibre, character and vision of Jannie Momberg, and we in the IFP humbly salute and thank Mr Momberg for his most noble efforts and the role he played in creating a unified South Africa. Thank you. [Applause.]