Mr Speaker, Comrade President, comrades and hon members, the APC joins the House in bidding farewell to outgoing Chief Justice Pius Langa and in welcoming his successor, Chief Justice Sandile Ngqobo.
Justice Langa, it was in this House that we welcomed you as Chief Justice, and here we are today bidding you farewell. It is our conviction as the APC that you have held your office with distinction and dignity. Our judiciary matured and weathered storms under your stewardship. It was your guiding hand that ensured that our democratic institutions stood the test of time. A lot has been achieved under your leadership to entrench and advance within the judiciary the values enshrined in our Constitution. The APC thanks you for that.
Hamba uye kuphumla nawe, mfo kaLanga; kudala uzabalaza. [Enjoy your deserved retirement, descendant of the Langa family; you have been in the struggle a long time.]
As the baton is passed to Chief Justice Ngqobo, the APC wishes to emphasise that the transformation of the judiciary is necessary, urgent and non- negotiable. Transformation should not only mean bean-counting, but a fundamental change in the ideology that guides the judiciary.
The justice system, in its practice and content, must not be foreign to the majority in this country. Why must a Shangaan-speaking magistrate, prosecutor, accused and witness be addressed in English in a 100% Shangaan- speaking area? [Applause.] I'm sure we have all read Ng?g? wa Thiong'o's book, Decolonising the Mind.
Chief Justice Ngqobo, I'm sure you'll agree with the APC ...
HON MEMBERS: Ngcobo!