Hon Speaker, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed an honour and a privilege to contribute to the debate in this House. My first speech is a tribute to the life and times of someone whom most of the hon members on both sides of the House knew and highly respected - the late hon MaBertha Gxowa, as she was fondly known.
I knew MaBertha since 1952, almost six decades to be exact. We were both products of our respective trade unions. MaBertha hailed from the Garment Workers' Union of the Transvaal, as it was known during that time, and I came from the Textile Workers Union of Port Elizabeth.
MaBertha had impeccable characteristics, as most members may attest. These were inherent traits that she possessed, but which were also deeply influenced by the culture of discipline, hard work and ethics of the Garment Workers' Union. The members of the Garment Workers' Union were grounded in the sound moral values of adherence to punctuality and respect for one another. These were all part of the values that were inculcated into members by the unions in those days. Things were done in a particular fashion and if you were found to be ill-disciplined, you were marginalised or ostracised by fellow workers and the leadership.
MaBertha was blessed with all the right qualities and these were also strengthened by the influence of her trade union activism. Mam' uGxowa was also a true disciplinarian, especially in relation to the dress code of the ANC Women's League. She would not hesitate to take women to task and remind them of one's bringing the organisation into disrepute by not adhering to the dress code.
What was never in question to us was her dedication and commitment to hard work. She had a deep sense of devotion and purpose in any task she undertook, which was what I greatly admired in her.
One of her many talents was that of administration, which stood her in good stead when she was elected as treasurer of the ANC Women's League. Mam' uBertha headed the collective that set up Malibongwe, the unit that fundraised for the ANC Women's League. She, together with her team, built Malibongwe into a thriving venture which assisted in financing many of the league's projects. However, she was also a hard taskmaster and would severely question each requisition that came to her desk.
Most of us will remember Mam' uBertha for her personal qualities. She knew how to dress well with style and grace, what to wear for what occasion, and her hair was always well, groomed. Mam' uBertha was blessed with all these fine qualities but she remained humble without being subservient.
Bertha Gxowa participated in all the major and minor campaigns in our struggle to liberate our country. She was at the forefront with leading figures of our organisation, men and women. There were comrades such as Dora Tamana, John Motshabi, Ida Mtwana, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Robert Resha. The list is endless. She was also one of the 156 trialists in the Treason Trial in 1956 and was part of the larger group that was finally acquitted.
However, the highlight of Mam' uBertha's life was the women's great march to the Union Buildings in 1956. She was a main strategist for the march and responsible for its ultimate success. The mass, militant demonstration against passes gained women tremendous respect and admiration for their courage and determination to rid the country of white domination.
As we all know, 9 August was declared and recognised as one of our national days in the history of our struggle. At the time, the late ANC president, Chief Albert Luthuli, said, and I quote:
When women begin to take an active part in the struggle, as they are doing now, no power on earth can stop us from achieving freedom in our lifetime.
When the hon Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was asked to say a few words during the 50th anniversary celebration of 9 August at the Cape Grace Hotel here in Cape Town, among the remarks she made was to remind women to never forget the long and arduous road travelled to get where they are today. She also said that if it had not been for Mam' uBertha, with the class of 1956 women, she would not have been a Minister.
Therefore, let us all double our efforts in memory of Mam' uBertha, to use whatever powers, authority and influence we have as representatives to better the lives of our people. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Agreed to.