Hon Speaker, I rise on behalf of the ACDP to convey our sincere condolences to the family of the hon Alina Machejane Rantsolase, her friends, relatives, Cosatu and the ANC.
We note with interest that she was brought to Parliament as an ANC Member of Parliament last year as a reward for her contribution to the trade union movement. Her work ethic and impressive self-taught accounting skills made such an impact on her fellow MPs that she was quickly appointed chairperson of the ANC parliamentary caucus, and given the job of sorting out the finances in the party.
In addition to sorting out her party's finances, Rantsolase served on the Home Affairs and Labour portfolio committees where her hard work and refusal to play cheap party politics won her the respect of opposition parties. While her reported "no fear, no favours" approach and unflinching insistence that the rules be followed to the letter did not endear her to some in the party hierarchy, it earned her respect among many other people. Her status as an MP did not change her. She remained down-to-earth, friendly and approachable, and never forgot that she was there to represent the interests of the people struggling to earn their daily living.
The ACDP honours her for these much-needed attributes and qualities that all Members of Parliament should aspire to. May the God of peace bring comfort to her family, friends and members of the tripartite alliance. Thank you.