Hon Speaker, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon Members of Parliament, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is with humility and honour that I stand before you and bid farewell to everyone. We served this Fourth Parliament with diligence and integrity. We argued and shared the views of our different political parties. I want to thank the ANC for what I am today and I also want to thank it for bringing life to so many of our people.
We had heated debates, to the extent that we sometimes even pointed and howled, but all that ended in this House. When we meet outside this House, we are different people, who carry no grudges. This will always remain vivid in our minds, especially those of us who are retiring.
It has been a pleasure working with you and serving in different committees with different characters. What an experience! Hon Speaker, I will certainly miss your saying, "Order! Order, hon members!" [Laughter.] I will also miss, "Point of order, Mr Speaker" and, lastly, "Mr Speaker, the DA calls for a division." [Laughter.]
Let me take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Speaker and all other presiding officers, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and hon Members of Parliament. It has been a pleasure working with you.
There just doesn't seem to be an easy way for me to say goodbye to you. Goodbyes are not forever. They are not the end. I will miss you until we meet again. [Applause.] To those who are coming back, continue representing our people, because they do have confidence in us.
It is extremely joyous and easy to meet, but hard to say goodbye. Allow me to quote William Shakespeare when he said, "Farewell, thou art too dear for my possessing."
Let me end by saying: Follow your dreams, work hard, practice and persevere. Make sure you eat a variety of food, get plenty of exercises ... [Laughter.] ... and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I want to say that, whilst I am retiring from Parliament, rest assured that I am not retiring from ANC politics. I thank you. [Applause.]