Deputy Speaker, first I want to thank the Members of Parliament seated on my right, as that is the last home where Mr Ramodike decided to reside. I met Mr Ramodike in 1991. When I met him I knew that I had to drive carefully because what he was doing then was checking people who were speeding.
The hon Ramodike was one of the homeland leaders in Tzaneen. There were three of them: one for Lebowa, one for Gazankulu and one for Venda. When the time came for change it was easy to speak to Mr Ramodike in particular, because he understood that change was coming.
What was very interesting, as has been said here, is that Mr Ramodike joined a lot of parties. It was a worrying factor for us as the ANC. We realised that this leader was joining a lot of parties. As a leader you advise and influence your people, especially if you are a person who calls yourself the leader of the people. So we didn't know if people were going to copy him.
What's interesting is that Mr Ramodike embraced change. After joining all these parties, the ANC had to visit him. This was because the ANC was very active during those years - from 1991 until the time of the election. We visited him to explain to him that these particular changes were going to unite us; that there wouldn't be a need for him to join all the parties he was joining - to think properly and join the party that would drive this vehicle.
Mr Ramodike realised that we were not lying, and of course joined the ANC. He then called the people he called his people together. He informed them that change was here and that the only party that would take us forward was the ANC. More than half of the people that were governed by Mr Ramodike, we believe, followed him when he came to the ANC. [Interjections.] So, I want to thank ... [Interjections.] Okay, the ANC party is something that is copied from us. You see we are the first, so you don't have to worry too much about the party stuff.
What I want to say to the family of Mr Ramodike is that as the ANC we are going to miss him. We acknowledge that he worked very hard and was instrumental in change. He knew that the homelands did not have a future in this country as they were dividing us. There is a story that I want to share with you before I take my seat. There was a time when there was a war between the former Lebowa and the former Gazankulu. Mr Ramodike and his people were on the one side of Khujwana and those from Nkowankowa were on the other side. This is not a joke. People were fighting; throwing stones.
Mr Ramodike assisted a lot on that particular day. He spoke to the group that were throwing stones at the people from Nkowankowa. He said the ANC was going to be a home for everybody. I was part of that throwing of stones anyway. [Laughter.]
As he continued talking to them, something we picked up as the ANC was that he realised that the throwing of stones had to stop. But it couldn't stop if we belonged to all these other small parties that were there then. Through him it was clear that the people who believed in him should join the ANC. Trust me, from that day onwards the ANC was very big. He contributed a lot, and that is why I am thanking his family. I know one cannot speak to people who have passed on, but I say:
Etlela kahle, Tatana Ramodike. U pfune ngopfu; u pfule mahlo ya vanhu. [Rest in peace, Mr Ramodike. You have been of great help; you have opened the eyes of the people.]
Batho ba bangata ba a tseba hore ANC ke lapeng. [Most people know that the ANC is like a home]. Lava nga ala va ha khomelele kun'wana va lo ka va nga ku twi kahle. [Those who are still holding on to something else have not heard you properly.]
We will continue to tell them, like you, after you had joined all these other parties, please come to the ANC. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Agreed to, members standing.