Mr Speaker, firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to express a few words of farewell to my colleagues, friends and the support staff of Parliament in both Houses. It has indeed been a privilege to serve the MF, my community and all minority groups in this august House.
I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my mentor and role model, the former leader of the MF, Mr Amichand Rajbansi, who elevated me to the position of a national Member of Parliament in 2004. I had become his prodigy and he hand-picked me to lead the fight for minority rights on a national level.
He was a man who played an integral role in the transition to democracy through his participation in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa, Codesa, talks. He was an inspiration to us all. He has worked with great leaders like Inkosi Albert Luthuli, Moses Mabhida and the great giant, Nelson Mandela. To Mr Rajbansi, the Bengal tiger, I owe a huge debt of gratitude for the faith and guidance he always gave.
I also want to say thank you to the ANC that, under the stewardship of the great Madiba, gave us political freedom. [Applause.]
Today, we can all hold the highest office in this country, which is certainly a mammoth achievement, and all this has come about because of Madiba's incarceration of 27 years on Robben Island. When I met Tata Madiba, I was humbled by his spirit of humility. Because of his sacrifices, we can all serve our country in Parliament unfailingly, uncompromisingly and unyieldingly.
In this House, we do not represent ourselves, but rather the people of this country. This is and should always be the centre of what we do.
I also want to thank all the support staff of Parliament, from all walks, from the NA Table to the cleaning staff. They have made it easy for us to be responsible, respectful and dignified leaders.
I now turn to the DA, and believe me I do this on a light note, so please, don't raise a point of order. [Laughter.] I think the DA should change their name to the point of order party. [Laughter.] If I got through one day without a point of order from them, it was a great achievement. [Laughter.]
I think that we all realise that we stand here as representatives of the masses out there. They have entrusted us with the responsibility to fully represent them, so things were never personal, just political. Of course, that does not mean to say that the MF won't give you a thrashing at the polls on 7 May! [Laughter.]
As we break for elections and intensify our campaigns, let us be mindful of those serious levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality. And when some of us come back rejuvenated, let us take the mandate of our people from where we have left off.
We must always remember that the fragrance of a flower blows in the direction of the wind, but the good we do unto mankind will spread in all directions. I want to leave you with the beautiful Zulu proverb, "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu." We are who we are, because of other people. In the Indian language it's all about:
roti, kapra, makaan, paani aur bijli. [bread, clothing, housing, water and electricity.]
Namal ke mukke maanam paro vele vedu tanni saapede velichen. [There must be bread, work, water, homes and electricity for all.] Until we meet again, goodbye. Thank you. [Applause.]