Mr Speaker, hon President, Deputy President, Chief Justice Pius Langa and Chief Justice Ngcobo, it would be impossible for me to mention all the achievements of Chief Justice Langa, nationally and internationally. I can only encourage you, Justice Langa, to write a book that we can have for future generations. However, what I can attest to is that you are a true son of the soil and that you have contributed immensely to the struggle against apartheid and to the development of our new democracy.
I would briefly like to mention just one of the judgments from your illustrious career. In the matter of Bhe and others v The Magistrate, Khayelitsha and Others, Judge Langa declared the African customary laws relating to the inheritance of property unconstitutional, because they discriminated unfairly against women and illegitimate children and violated their rights to equality and human dignity. This is just one of the many reported judgments that have helped to shape our new democracy.
I would also like to say that I have, I think wisely, decided not to mention the judge's record when it comes to the judgments that directly involve me in the Constitutional Court. This is, Judge Langa, because, like you, I believe in the independence of the judiciary.
I came to know the judge a lot better while serving on the Judicial Service Commission, JSC, and I would like to thank him for giving us the guidance we needed to achieve our goal of transforming the judiciary. I would also like to thank him for being so tolerant of me, because sometimes I behave as if I were in Parliament. [Interjections.]
Judge Langa, we wish you all the best for your retirement. We are very sad that your late wife, Thandekile, is not here to share this time with you, but I think all of South Africa will agree that this is a good time to thank Thandekile and your children for sharing you with us and the rest of the nation for all these years. [Applause.]
In closing, I would like to welcome Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo. We will definitely be on your side to protect and promote the independence of the judiciary. I thank you. [Applause.]