Hon Speaker and hon members, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic and untimely death of former ANC Member of Parliament David M Dlali when I heard the news on Monday morning. I see his smiling face before me now. He was always courteous, friendly, cheerful and approachable. He was also a positive person who left one smiling and feeling cheerful too after having chatted to him, however briefly.
Our paths first crossed when he served in the Cape Metropolitan Council, CMC, and I, as a proportional representative councillor, was working in Mfuleni, Khayelitsha and the Tygerberg area. Later, we both served as councillors in the City of Cape Town, where he represented Gugulethu. He was a hardworking, committed councillor who was determined to improve the lot of the people he represented.
He served as the public liaison officer, PLO, on the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC, for many years and played a positive and responsible role.
Our paths crossed again when we both moved up to Parliament. He served on various committees, including local government, minerals, energy and defence.
David suffered an injury in a motor car accident and for a while his walking was impaired. I too was suffering after surgery, and we would sometimes stop and commiserate with one another, but we always parted on a cheerful note.
David Dlali also made a positive contribution when he served on the board of trustees of the Parliamentary Medical Aid Scheme, Parmed, initially as a full member whilst in Parliament, and subsequently as a continuity member while serving as an advisor to the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana. As a Parmed trustee, he served on a number of ad hoc committees, and he always served with diligence and integrity. His contribution in the interests of the members was unfailing. His calm approach and demeanour enabled him to influence and ensure fairness but, above all, he made sure that what was best for the scheme and its beneficiaries prevailed.
He acquired a farm in Matatiele some time ago and over the years developed a good relationship with his neighbour, Peter Muir, who was a DA councillor in the Matatiele Local Municipality. Together, as neighbours, they solved numerous problems associated with farming in that difficult area where stock theft and criminal activities were rife. He was a hardworking, progressive farmer, who was improving his farm and preparing it for his retirement. Sadly, his life was cut short before he could realise his dream. His tragic death is a loss, not only to his family and the ANC, but to the whole farming community, where he could have continued to make a difference through his positive approach. On behalf of the DA, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family, the ANC and to all who were close to him. Hamba kakuhle, mhlobo wam. [Farewell, my friend.] May your soul rest in peace. [Applause.]