Mr Speaker, the Bible says:
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
On behalf of the FF Plus I wish to express our gratitude to Chief Justice Pius Langa for his courageous and unbiased implementation of the rule of law. He embodied the founding principles of our Constitution, which clearly states in section 165(2):
The courts are independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law, which they must apply impartially and without fear, favour or prejudice.
As you yourself said earlier this year, judges should have a thick skin, and politicians should as well! I would add to this, all the more should judges have a thick skin when unpopular decisions have to be taken.
In defending the integrity of the Constitutional Court and the judiciary, you adhered to these principles and specifically to the principle in section 165(3) of the Constitution:
No person or organ of state may interfere with the functioning of the courts.
You stood firm in the face of political criticism and personal attacks, and protected the integrity of the judiciary. You did not allow one of the pillars of our democracy to be weakened, and we want to thank you for that.
Namens die VF Plus, dankie vir die uitspraak oor die buitelandse stem. Ek dink ons moes gewen het, en baie dankie daarvoor asook vir die kostebevel wat u aan die regte kant gegee het.
Namens die VF Plus wil ek ook van die geleentheid gebruik maak om regter Sandile Ngcobo geluk te wens met sy aanstelling as Hoofregter. U erf 'n nalatenskap van u voorganger wat baie ho standaarde stel, spesifiek sover dit gaan oor die onafhanklikheid van die howe. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[On behalf of the FF Plus, thank you for the verdict on the foreign vote. I thought we should have won and many thanks for that, as well as for the order as to costs that was awarded to the right party.
On behalf of the FF Plus I would also like to make use of this opportunity to congratulate Judge Sandile Ngcobo on his appointment as Chief Justice. You inherit a legacy from your predecessor, who set very high standards, especially concerning the independent status of the courts.]
We hope that South Africa will experience your dedication to the advancement of justice for all and the protection of human rights, not only through the leadership you will have to display but also through the steps you take to put the Constitution first. This you will have to do without regard to yourself and the criticism you may have to endure.
In conclusion, I want to address both judges when I quote Enid Bagnold who said, "Judges don't age; time decorates them."
Dankie vir alles en baie mooi loop. [Applous.] [Thank you for everything and go well. [Applause.]]