Hon Speaker, bidding farewell to a member of this House is not a pleasant task, more so when the member, although relatively new to Parliament, has made such a huge impact in the short time she was here. The late hon Rantsolase became a Member of Parliament in 2009 and served on the Home Affairs and Labour Portfolio Committees. I had the privilege of working with her on the parliamentary grouping in international relations and members' facilities committees, and her input was always positive and in the interests of Members of Parliament.
The confidence her colleagues had in her when they nominated her Chair of the ANC caucus speaks volumes of her leadership qualities. She was instrumental in calming the waters of her caucus and charting a clear vision for them as a whole. Her track record as a proponent for better working conditions and a living wage in her early days as shop steward is perhaps the legacy she will be best remembered for. By all accounts, her willingness to be first in the picket line and advocacy of gender equality endeared her to many. She was desperately ill in the past month of her life, resulting in the untimely death at the relatively young age of 56. I am certain that her loss will be deeply felt by her colleagues in the ANC, her mom, six siblings, her daughter Puleng and her three grandchildren.
The tragedy of life is not in death but what we let die inside of us while we live. It is clear she lived a life filled with passion and energy. Her life was not in vain. Therefore, you can be proud of all her achievements even though she has passed on. We, in the DA, sympathise with you in this moment of grief and pray that, as the hon Rantsolase is laid to rest, her soul is in peace.