Hon Speaker and hon Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, your Excellencies President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Motlanthe, Justices of the Constitutional Court and other members of the judiciary, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon Premiers, hon members, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen ...
... ha e ne e le ka sehaeso ke ne ke tshwanetse hore ha Mopresidente a se a buile tjena, ebe ke ema mona ke boloka nako ka ho re feela "le dumme!" ke ntano dula fatshe. Empa ka hore ke morongwa ... (Translation of Sesotho paragraph follows.)
[... if this was in my culture, when the President had finished talking, I was supposed to stand here and save time by just saying "It's final!" and then sit down. But because I am just a messenger ...] ... let me start by saying today is a happy day. It marks the end of a long relay marathon of freedom and the beginning of a new journey. We are gathered here today to pay tribute to one of our own and witness as he passes the baton to another son of the soil.
It all started from humble beginnings when, in 1956, at the age of 17, a young man from Bushbuckridge became a T-shirt maker at a T-shirt factory. Driven by determination and commitment, the fact that he could not finish his schooling years was never a curse or deterrent. Through private studies, he equipped himself with the necessary skills and knowledge for the tough journey ahead. After becoming a messenger in the Justice Department, the sky was the limit, and there was no turning back.
He worked his way through the "snakes and ladders" of the legal fraternity to the highest court in the land in 2005. That achievement, to those who clearly understand the difficulties he had to go through in reaching the top, and the sufferings he endured along the way, added to the many miracles that our country is renowned for in the world. That young man has grown old today, he is amongst us as I speak, and he is none other than Chief Justice Pius Langa. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, allow me to be direct and say this. Chief Justice Langa, throughout your life you have demonstrated high levels of commitment and determination, driven by a selfless God-given talent, to serve with honesty and integrity. You have been a beacon of hope to the hopeless, a pillar of strength to the weak, a saviour to the oppressed, a voice of reason to the voiceless and those without reason, a giver of hope to those whose views were suppressed, an advocate for and defender of those whose rights were violated, and a messenger and deliverer of good news to those who were robbed of their livelihood, criminalised and terrorised in their land of birth. You have laid a strong and solid foundation for transformation in the judiciary. You have always emphasised the fact that judges should lead in an exemplary way and display the traditional values expected of judges, those being integrity and impartiality.
In the midst of high tensions and flaring tempers, when patience wore thin and intolerance of slow transformation and allegations of racism, bias and lack of impartiality in the judiciary crept in and took centre stage in public debates, you became a good example of how judges should behave. You provided leadership even during such trying times. In your own impartial way, you kept your eyes on the ball and refused to be influenced to act in a manner detrimental to the independence of the judiciary. You never feared anything, for as the son of a reverend God, you knew that the Lord had given us a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self-control.
You fearlessly and tirelessly continued to give proper authoritative judgments. In your own way you continued to lead, reprove, rebuke and exhort, teaching with complete patience. Against all odds, you held your head high and refused to be distracted from your mission, and you championed the cause of our struggle for total emancipation of our people from all forms of oppression. You steered the ship into safe waters amidst heavy, undeniable turbulence.
All these praise songs are not just because you are one of our own. The many honorary awards you have received for the advancement of justice from various reputable organisations - honorary doctorates bestowed upon you by reputable universities - both in the country and abroad, attest to these views. I make special mention of one of the many such awards, Supreme Counsellor of the Order of the Baobab (Gold), bestowed upon you by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
As you begin a new journey and enter into retirement, it is only fair and fitting that we thank God for your life. It is even more fitting and relevant that I borrow some words of wisdom from the scriptures written by Paul and say: Hon Justice Langa, you have run the race:
(You) have fought the good fight, (you) have finished the race, (you) have kept the faith.
Ha se bohle, ntate, ba qetang lebelo. Ba bang ba a wa, ba bang ba se ba hloma mekhukhunyana ka thoko. [Ditsheho.] [It is not everyone who finishes the race, sir. Some fall; some give up along the way. [Laughter.]] Furthermore:
Henceforth there is laid up for (you) a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give you at that day: and not to (you) only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Hon Speaker, may I take this opportunity to conclude by wishing Chief Justice Langa well, as he eases the pace and enters retirement. While we bid him farewell as he leaves the active life of legal eagles, we welcome as our new Chief Justice, taking over the baton from Justice Langa, another super eagle in the legal fraternity, Chief Justice Ngcobo. [Applause.]
To him I wish to say that the foundation is laid and you are our hope to run this race with the integrity and impartiality expected of a judge. It is my wish that you fast-track the process of transformation in the judiciary. With the support you will get from all and sundry, victory is certain.
Your appointment as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court is by no means a reward or favour, but recognition of your academic qualifications and standing, a vote of confidence and demonstration of trust in your capabilities. God bless you. Thank you, sir. [Applause.]