Mr Speaker, often in one's life people cross your path and it is only later, in hindsight, that you realise that you have met someone special, someone who makes an impact on your and others' lives. However, this was different with Ms Direko.
Our paths crossed for the first time in the late 1980s, when I was a new lecturer at Vista University in Bloemfontein, in the department of education, and Ms Direko was a student in my postgraduate education and research methodology classes. I was immediately aware of being in the presence of someone special, a person who exuded dignity, strength, passion, caring and humility. Little did I know that I was lecturing the future Premier of the Free State!
During the two years that she was a student in my class, I got to know Ms Direko as the embodiment of the ideal educator and community worker. At that point she was the headmistress of Sehunelo High School in Batho, which was arguably one of the best high schools in the area, and this was primarily due to the impact Ms Direko had on the school.
I remember well how she would stand at the gate of the school in the mornings when the learners arrived, and woe to those who dared to be late! The learners at the school, however, had the greatest respect for her and knew that she had only their best interests at heart.
The same goes for the community. Her door was always open, and she gave of her time and whatever else she could afford.
Mr Speaker, I am extremely grateful that I have the opportunity today to pay tribute to Ms Direko. Forgive me if my tribute seems a bit personal, but as a person I owe her much for the impact she has had on me as an educator.
It was from her as a student that I learnt most about what teaching really means: what it requires to teach in difficult circumstances; how to really care for the learners in your class; what it means to give of yourself; how to carry on in times of great adversity when you are confronted by great personal loss and tragedy; how to keep on smiling and face the world, and continue with your responsibilities, always knowing that there are others who are less fortunate than you.
From her I learnt that a child in your class is like a butterfly in your hand, and that you have to nurture him or her until he or she is ready to fly. However, at the same time you as a teacher have the power to crush that child in your hand. The challenge in teaching is always to find and manage the balance.
It is also a tribute to her, and a comfort, that her contribution to education in South Africa will live on through the Winkie Direko Education Building at the University of the Free State.
I think one of her most outstanding qualities, among many, was her humility. She was never greater than the task or the position. A good example of this was when she became Premier of the Free State. She preferred to live in a modest house in Bayswater, Bloemfontein, rather than in the official residence, Free State House. The only indication at her house that someone important lived there was the guard house that was built at the front entrance, and I'm quite sure she also objected to that. She never considered herself above anything or anyone. Even as a Member of Parliament, when she was in Bloemfontein she would have no qualms about asking for a lift home, or asking where she could get reasonably priced material for dresses. That is the person she was.
Our paths crossed again years later in the 2000 local government elections, when I was standing as a councillor in the ward where she lived. On election day, even though I was absolutely sure she was not going to vote for me, she came over and basically gave me a pep talk and wished me everything of the best. That was the kind of person she was. She never judged you on anything other than the person you were inside.
On Saturday, 18 February this year, I drove past Ms Direko's house and saw quite a number of cars outside. My first thought was that there was some kind of function at the house, and it was only a while later that I heard the sad news that Ms Direko had passed on.
It was one of those moments when you realised that the world as you had known it had changed. One of the certainties, one of the people that you had always just accepted would be there, was gone. At that moment the landscape of Mangaung, the Free State and the country changed forever.
Her legacy and contributions made deep imprints in our lives, and for that we are truly grateful. We are better because of her.
On behalf of the DA, I convey our deepest condolences to Ms Direko's family, her vast circle of friends and the ANC she so proudly served. May she rest in peace! [Applause.]