Chairperson, comrades and hon members, I rise on behalf of the APC and, indeed, on my own behalf to express our condolences to Mr Coetzee's family, relatives, colleagues and comrades. Your pain is our collective pain for, in the African tradition, we share the joy, we share the pain.
Mr Coetzee was an honourable man. He was honourable, not as a meaningless or arbitrary title, but through concrete practice and by force of example, in the first instance, as a freedom fighter, where he distinguished himself as a brave, dedicated and committed activist. It was in the dangerous, yet fulfilling course of the struggle that his character was formed. It was in the crucible of struggle that his consciousness was broadened, thus preparing him for the national responsibilities he was to assume later.
As we celebrate freedom, it is the memory of activists like Mr Coetzee that we should never forget. There is no doubt that Mr Coetzee served Parliament well, firstly, as the Deputy Secretary and later as the Secretary to Parliament. His tenure at the helm of Parliament's administration had no noticeable controversies or upheavals.
Therefore, the APC hopes that those he has left behind will continue to run this important institution of our country in a way that honours his memory. We must all serve with humility, dignity and integrity, as Mr Coetzee did. Mr Coetzee was indeed a true leader and it was with people like him in mind that Sobukwe described true leadership, and I quote:
True leadership demands complete subjugation of self ... uprightness of character ... integrity ... courage and fearlessness and above all, a consuming love for one's people.
May his soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.