Agbare mnr die Speaker, agb kollegas, die skielike dood van ons kollega, adv Du Toit het ons almal herinner aan die kosbaarheid, maar ook die tydelikheid van die lewe.
Ek het adv Du Toit leer ken na 1994, spesifiek met die grondwetonderhandelingsproses. Ek en hy was betrokke by die formulering van artikel 185 wat tans in die Grondwet is. Ek onthou sy insette en die gestoei wat ons gehad het onder mekaar oor die bewoording daar. Die van u wat vir Dirk goed geken het, sal hom onthou as 'n persoon wat sterk gestaan het by sy standpunt, wat graag gedebateer het en wat nie bang was vir 'n argument nie. Hy was altyd deel van 'n groter gesprek waar hy met oortuiging sy party en die saak waarin hy geglo het, gedien het op 'n waardige en 'n respekvolle manier.
Ek wil graag namens die VF Plus ons medelye oordra aan sy party, wat 'n kollega verloor het, maar ook veral aan sy gesin, wat 'n pa en 'n eggenoot verloor het. Dit is tragies en jammer dat 'n kollega wat maar so pas 65 jaar oud geword het en op die vooraand was om sy aftrede en sy oudag te geniet, skielik weggeruk is en sy gesin alleen agterbly. Ons dra graag ons simpatie en hulde oor aan sy party en familie. Baie dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Dr C P MULDER: Mr Speaker, hon colleagues, the sudden passing away of our colleague, Adv Du Toit, has reminded us all of how precious, but also how temporary, life is.
I got to know Adv Du Toit after 1994, in fact during the constitutional negotiation process. He and I were involved with the formulation of section 185, which is now enshrined in the Constitution. I remember his input and how we tussled with each other regarding its wording. Those of you who knew Dirk well will remember him as a person who stood his ground, who liked to debate and who was not afraid of an argument. He was always part of a larger discussion where he served his party and the cause in which he believed with conviction and in a dignified and respectful manner.
On behalf of the FF Plus I want to convey our condolences to his party, who have lost a colleague, but in particular also to his family, who have lost a father and a husband. It is tragic and a pity that a colleague who had only just turned 65 years of age and was on the eve of stepping down and enjoying his retirement, should be suddenly snatched away, leaving his family behind by themselves.
We would like to pay homage and convey our sympathy to his party and family. Thank you.]