Mr Speaker and hon members, firstly let me say that in the IFP we were a bit disappointed that although a formal request was made by the department for a tribute from the party to be read at the crematorium on Wednesday, this was not done. Therefore, what I would like to do, hon Speaker, is to place on record what Prince Buthelezi's message would have been to the mourners at the Clare Estate Crematorium:
On behalf of the IFP, I offer my condolences to the Padayachie family and to the ANC on the untimely passing of Minister Roy Padayachie. The family's loss is deep and personal. We cannot begin to understand their pain.
The loss to the ANC, however, is easier to put into words. Minister Padayachie was an asset to his party. He was a dedicated, loyal and competent servant of the people. He aligned himself with the ANC's ideals and represented the ANC's vision.
However, there was more to Minister Padayachie than this, which makes his death a loss to many of us outside the party he served. He was an exceptional Minister whose appointment was welcomed and whose work consistently proved the wisdom of appointing him. His death is a loss to the Department of Public Service and Administration and a loss to government. He also had a good business mind, and his advice was equally sought out by entrepreneurs and international organisations. His death is a loss to the pool of leadership this generation must draw on. He was respectful, inclusive and warm. His death is a loss to those of us who still pursue reconciliation. In this sad hour, there are many commendations we could bestow on Minister Roy Padayachie.
But, as we mourn our loss, our thoughts will no doubt turn to the individual recollections we have of him. I recall the many functions we attended together when he was the Minister of Communications, for he made a point of always inviting me and I made a point of attending.
He showed great respect for other political organisations, which was a manifestation of his genuine commitment to unity across all divides. This is what drove him during the liberation struggle, and it continued to inspire him as we consolidated South Africa's freedom after 1994. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to Minister Roy Padayachie for all he gave and all he did throughout his life to serve liberation, reconciliation and democracy.
Here in KwaZulu-Natal, we feel we have lost one of our own. Although his authority was felt in every province as he served in South Africa's Cabinet, it was here that we saw him rolling up his sleeves, going into homes and making a difference through his presence.
I am privileged to have known Minister Padayachie well. I held him in high esteem and will feel this loss both personally and as a colleague. May we continue the work he so passionately pursued. May his family be comforted and may our nation rise in a unified message of thanks for the life of a true servant of the people.
Mr Speaker, on a personal note, I have known Roy for 41 years, since we were students at Salisbury Island, and we served together on many committees thereafter. To Sally, their daughters and the rest of the family, I offer my personal condolences.
Let me also offer my condolences to the family of Dr T P Naidoo, who was a doyen of the cultural sector in South Africa. We in the IFP also offer our condolences to that family. Thank you.