Hon Speaker, my sincere apologies. My list has Mulder, and I know that I probably broke protocol. However, I heard you calling, and I want to apologise to the House for breaking protocol. I did not know that I was not supposed to walk this way. My apologies.
From the ranks of the ACDP, it is indeed an honour to speak on its behalf about the hon Sue van der Merwe, my colleague in the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry. The hon Van der Merwe has certainly had an illustrious career dating back to the 1980s, when she served as a co-ordinator in the office of the Black Sash. Since then, the hon van der Merwe has held numerous important positions in government, and the one that certainly stands out is her position as Deputy Minister in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Before her resignation, the hon Van der Merwe served as the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation until 2010, and also as a committee member on the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, on which she served with distinction for her political party, the ANC. It was in this committee that I got to know and interact with the hon Van der Merwe. In this committee, I found that her astuteness, intelligence and attention to detail were evident talents she possessed and used to best represent her party.
To Sue we say: May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up His countenance to you and give you peace; even as your colleagues on my right say "Amen" and agree with me.
The ACDP wishes the hon Sue van der Merwe well in all of her future endeavours. I thank you. [Applause.]