Speaker, as we gather here today to pay tribute to our dearly departed former colleague, Imam Solomon, I'm reminded of the following quote:
Death comes to all, but great achievements raise a monument which shall endure until the sun grows old.
So is the life of Imam Solomon. His great achievements raise a monument that shall endure forever. His passing on, sadly, reminds us of one great certainty, that death is awaiting us all.
Solomon lived his life with dedication, passion and vigour, each day as if it were his last. The lesson I, therefore, take from Gassan's passing on is that every day may be my and your last day, colleagues. I discovered the following wisdom of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who said this about 2000 years ago:
Live not one's life as though one had a thousand years, but live each day as your last.
Imam Solomon will be remembered as one who lived each day as if it were his last. That is the heritage he leaves us. Let us, therefore, live each day as if it is our last.
We, in the IFP, applaud and thank Imam Solomon for his lifelong commitment to building a better South Africa for all. The IFP would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the ANC, family, friends and colleagues of the late Imam Solomon. I thank you, and we support the motion.