Mr Speaker, I am deeply privileged to have served on the Judicial Service Commission for the past 13 years. In that capacity I served under the chairmanship of four chief justices: Chief Justices Ismail Mahomed, Arthur Chaskalson, Pius Langa and now Sandile Ngcobo. Colleagues, you will understand when I say that to me as a lawyer that is an unspeakable privilege.
Each of the four chief justices had his own distinct style and I pay tribute to them. They had excellent humour, profound wisdom, judicial and personal independence, an iron will and - this is important - determination to protect the independence of the judiciary. They were ideally endowed to lead the many thousands of lawyers in our country - judicial role models. I pay tribute to the former chief justices.
Aan regter Langa wil ek graag s, u finale bydrae tot die regspleging het maar pas begin, want u het nou kosbare tyd tot u beskikking. U eretaak, regter Langa, is om u diepgaande wysheid en omvangryke regterlike ervaring met ons, die regsgeleerdes van ons land, te deel sodat die gehalte van ons regspleging nog hor kan styg. Ons maak op u staat daarvoor. Maar ons wens u ook 'n welverdiende oudag toe met u kleinkinders, en regter Langa, u moet asseblief onthou, dit is u regterlike plig om u kleinkinders vreeslik baie te bederf! [Gelag.] U moet mooi loop. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[To Justice Langa I would like to say, your final contribution to the administration of justice has only just begun, because now you will have precious time at your disposal. Justice Langa, your honorary task will be to share your in-depth knowledge and extensive judicial experience with us, the jurists of this country, in order to raise the standard of the administration of justice even higher. We rely on you for this. We also wish you a well-deserved old age with your grandchildren and, Justice Langa, please remember, it is your judicial obligation to spoil your grandchildren rotten! [Laughter.] Go well.]
Speaker, to Chief Justice Ngcobo, welcome to the judicial hot seat. I wanted to say the job is going to give you grey hair, but then I realised you are already grey! [Laughter.] You have already demonstrated your own distinct style. You are a very fine humorist, I must admit. Above all, you are the ideal father of your judiciary, blessed with profound judicial wisdom, as well as patience - which I have experienced with you - insight and compassion. Thank you for the judgment you gave for the government, where you granted us costs! Thank you for that. [Laughter.]
Chief Justice, I agree with the Chairperson of the NCOP, sitting right in front of me, about language. I think one of your primary challenges will be to ensure that the languages of litigants in this country are respected and protected. We offer you our unconditional support and we wish you well. In conclusion, I wish to say a few words in isiZulu.
Somlomo, abehluleli bobabili bangamaZulu, ngakho ke ngifisa ukubingelela ngesiZulu nokubafisela ukhisimusi omuhle nonyaka onezibusiso. Bahlonishwa, nginifisela impilo ende. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Mr Speaker, both Chief Justices are Zulus. Therefore I want to greet them in isiZulu and wish them a joyous Christmas and a blessed New Year. Your honours, I wish you long life. Thank you. [Applause.]]