Speaker, it is appropriate that we pay tribute to our colleague in the respectful way we are doing it today. Firstly, I would like to associate myself with the speech made by our colleague, the Deputy Chief Whip, Mr Magwanishe. I really think that was a very good speech. Well done! Thank you for that and I associate myself with the content thereof. [Applause.]
It is absolutely true that for all of us there will come a time to arrive here and a time to go. Our colleague Mr Ellis has decided that it is time for him to go.
I will miss a number of things with regard to Mr Ellis. One of those things that I will dearly miss are all the little interactions he had with our colleague, Mr John Jeffery, from time to time. Those of us who attend all the different meetings in committees of Parliament will know exactly what I am talking about.
Some of us who have been here since 1994 would also remember that the heydays of Mr Ellis, in terms of being a very effective politician, were specifically after 1994, when he was like a bulldog going after the then Minister of Health, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Some of us will remember that, and I think fondly of those days.
The hon Leader of the Opposition referred to a song and used the song to refer to Mr Ellis. I want to do the same and I am going to do it for a simple reason.
A very famous band, Smokie, has written a song in honour of our colleague. Unlike the hon Leader of the Opposition, I am going to try to sing it if you will bear with me for one second.