In politics, Mike, you have been a true all- rounder. In the days of serving in a caucus of seven, he was the DP spokesperson on housing, education, health, transport and social development simultaneously. He tells me that they had to run, literally, from one portfolio committee to another as they passed hundreds of pieces of new legislation to replace obsolete laws. This all stood you in good stead and moulded you into what you are today - an all-round parliamentarian of renown.
If you know Mike Ellis, you will know him as a man's man, a ladies' man ... [Laughter.] ... a kind man and a man that loves fun. We will miss your pranks, jokes and even your singing. Mike loves music, so I thought I would end this tribute with a few words from a song by Billy Joel entitled Piano Man to encourage you to go and enjoy your well-deserved retirement. The words go as follows and I promise you I won't sing them:
There's an old man sitting next to me Makin' love to his tonic and gin
He says, "Son, can you play me a memory I'm not really sure how it goes But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete When I wore a younger man's clothes."
I'm sure, Mike, that you have a vast reservoir of memories that will remind you of your tenure here in Parliament and, especially, of when you wore a younger man's clothes.
And Billy Joel continues:
And the piano sounds like a carnival And the microphone smells like a beer And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar And say, "Man, what are you doin' here?"
Parliament's pension scheme has put some bread in your jar, my mate, and now it's time for us to say, "What are you doin' here?" Tony Leon always said: "If you want a friend in politics, better you get a dog."
I want to say today that the Chief Whip of the DA, hon Ian Davidson, and I are lucky to have had Mike as a friend and so are many, many, many of you. May you now have the time to do the things that you weren't able to do at your convenience in the past 24 years at your leisure.
Siza kukukhumbula Mnumzana. Ndiyabulela. [Kwaqhwatywa.] [We will remember you, hon member. Thank you. [Applause.]]