House Chairperson, Deputy President and hon members, I highly appreciate all the kind words that you have all said. I obviously have mixed emotions right now. One does not know until moments like this arrive how much one is appreciated and how well one's input is received. So, I am greatly appreciative of all the kind words that have been said.
It was indeed a privilege to be a member of the National Assembly since our first democratic election in 1994, which saw the last vestiges of apartheid put behind us. It was also an honour and privilege to serve under the leadership and Presidency of former President Nelson Mandela, who showed remarkable statesmanship, courage and ability to unite the entire nation behind a process of reconciliation and nation-building.
Many of my colleagues in this House have been asking me why I have decided to resign from Parliament and what I will be doing from now on. To answer these questions, I want to inform hon members that the 2014 elections are very important to me and to the ACDP. We would like to see the party move beyond its small minority status and take a big leap forward in our representation in all spheres of government. In order to do this, we have to do a lot of groundwork and have to become much more visible to voters. I intend to lead by example and make myself more available to the party, our core constituents and the broader public. I will be working with our people on the ground, reaching out to more voters from diverse communities and also strengthening the ACDP's structures.
My other focus will also be on media and communication. This will require substantial funding to successfully compete on a level playing field with other political parties.
Hon members, be assured that I am neither quitting politics nor stepping down as the leader of the ACDP. I will be suitably replaced by the ACDP's deputy president, Councillor Wayne Thring, who has been with the party for 13 years in the Ethekwini Metro, serving as the caucus leader in council, and currently also as the provincial leader of the party in KwaZulu-Natal. He is a man of integrity, wisdom and balance and I am confident that he will do his job with diligence.
God willing, I will see many of you after the 2014 general elections when I will be coming back to Parliament with an army of new ACDP members. [Interjections.]
I want to close my farewell remarks by invoking the Aaronic benediction as recorded in the book of Numbers 6:24-26. It reads as follows:
The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.
Lastly, I want to thank my heavenly Father for giving me good health and grace to fulfil my duties in this Parliament, and the opportunity to do my utmost to protect and promote biblical principles in politics as I understand them. A number of people have asked me, could you not do what you want to do outside Parliament, while you are a Member of Parliament? The fact is, with the kind of schedule I will be having for about four to five months, it will not be possible for me to come to Parliament. So, my conscience will not allow me to continue getting a salary from Parliament when I am not available. So, it is a matter of conscience that when you are paid by Parliament, you need to be in Parliament. [Applause.]
Ladies and gentlemen, hon members, with these words I want to say to everybody that I love you all - I am not sure, Chairperson, whether it is parliamentary to say that to all Members of Parliament but allow me to say so. I am glad that I am leaving with no bitterness. I'm leaving not knowing an enemy that I have. You are all my friends. I am not going for good. I'm going just for a season. I will be back to do what I love to do, which is to help South Africa become a better nation and also a winning nation and a prosperous nation. So, the Lord bless you all. Thank you very much for staying this late to hear my words. Thank you, sir. [Applause.]