Hon Speaker, today South Africa remembers one of its most valiant and honourable sons, former Chief Justice Pius Langa. The former Chief Justice was an exemplar of truth, fairness, human rights for all, and a courageous struggle stalwart.
Mr Pius Langa was a self-accomplished and highly acclaimed legislator. He began his legal career as a messenger in the then Department of Justice in 1960 and rose steadily through the legal ranks and finally retired at the pinnacle of law as the Chief Justice of South Africa. He was internationally acclaimed as a legislator and promoter of democracy.
The former Chief Justice is an inspiration to all South Africans. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude. On behalf of the Inkatha Freedom Party, I wish to say: Thank you, Pius, for always demonstrating the purest form of a judicial conscience, fearlessly protecting the independence of the judiciary, dauntlessly protecting the values enshrined in our Constitution, and being an outstanding example of a dignified and dedicated jurist.
Hamba kahle qhawe lomzabalazo. Kumndeni wakhe wakwaLanga sithi, akwehlanga lungehlanga. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe] [Rest in peace, comrade. To the Langa family we say, please accept what has happened as fate. Thank you. [Applause.]]