Speaker, it was with great shock that I heard of the tragic death of Dr Sefularo. On behalf of the DA, we send our condolences to his family in the gallery, to his friends, to his colleagues and to the ANC.
Dr Sefularo had a long and proud political history. In 1979, he helped found the Azanian Students' Organisation and was elected as its secretary in 1981. Dr Sefularo was also an active United Democratic Front, UDF, member from 1983 until its banning. He also served in many capacities within the ANC.
In 1994 he was also appointed as the MEC for health in the North West province, a position he held until 2004. On 25 September 2008, Dr Sefularo was appointed the Deputy Minister of Health, a position that had been vacant since August 2007 when the previous Deputy Minister, Ms Madlala- Routledge, was dismissed.
Dr Sefularo was one of a new generation of leaders in the health portfolio, along with the then Minister, Ms Hogan, and the current Minister, Dr Motsoaledi, who have reinstated science at the centre of the campaign to tackle HIV and Aids and scuttled the remains of the Aids dissidents. To a large degree because of his work, South Africa now has a detailed, credible and practical plan for preventing and treating Aids infections.
A national drive encouraging prevention and testing is to be launched soon, and all of us have been encouraged to be publicly tested and, by doing so, we will be contributing to destigmatising the disease. Dr Sefularo understood this and it is through his hard work, foresight and determination, along with that of the Minister of Health, that this campaign has had the backing of Cabinet. It is, however, regrettable that Dr Sefularo will not see the fruits of his hard work.
In order to honour the memory of Dr Sefularo, we, as public representatives, should all ensure that the prevention and testing campaign is a great success. Go well, Dr Sefularo! Hamba kahle! I thank you. [Applause.]