Deputy Speaker, I move the draft resolution printed in my name on the Order Paper, as follows:
That the House -
1) notes with great sadness the death, after a long illness, of African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament and former Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Sicelo Shiceka, on Monday, 30 April 2012;
2) remembers that Mr Shiceka, 45, has during his career served in various capacities, including as a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) in the Gauteng Provincial Government, as Chairperson of the Select Committee on Provincial and Local Government in the National Council of Provinces and as Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs;
3) recalls that Mr Shiceka was a longstanding member of the ANC and was elected as a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee in 2007, where he served in various subcommittees;
4) further recalls that, prior to 1994, he was involved in numerous anti-apartheid structures, including as branch chairperson of the Congress of South African Students in Soweto, a member of the Gauteng leadership structure of the Azanian Students Organisation, organiser for the Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union and later as its provincial secretary in 1990, and as a member of the SA Communist Party since 1991;
5) believes that Mr Shiceka epitomised the ANC policy of service to all, and thus everybody who had the privilege of working closely with him remembers him as a people's person;
6) acknowledges his deep compassion, commitment and courage which he proved in true selfless service to his people and his country;
7) appreciates his contribution in furthering our democracy, his energy and enthusiasm as a public representative and his vibrant leadership; and
8) extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Shiceka and to members of the African National Congress.
Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers and hon colleagues, the DA was saddened by the news that broke on 30 April 2012 about the untimely passing of Sicelo Shiceka, the former Minister for Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in President Zuma's Cabinet.
Hon Shiceka passed away at St Mary's Private Hospital in Mthatha after a long illness bravely fought. His passing has robbed the ANC and its alliance partners of a very hardworking comrade who worked tirelessly for the liberation of people. His enthusiasm and commitment were remarkable, and his absence will be greatly felt.
Whilst he was not perfec, like none of us is, his passion and energy in the manner he executed his duties can never be taken away. His heart and soul were in the movement and he was unstoppable when he put his mind towards achieving a certain goal. He was like a speed train heading for the station where he knew the challenge lay. He had to get there fast and felt he had to do something about it. His rise in the political structures is testimony of this as well as his hard work and ambition.
In 1980 he joined the Congress of South African Students, Cosas, in Soweto. In 1987 he was elected as the Azanian Students Organisation leader. In 1989 he was an organiser for the Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union, becoming Gauteng provincial secretary in 1990. In 1991 he became deputy chairman of the South African Communist Party in Johannesburg. In 1992 he became Congress of South African Trade Unions provincial secretary in Gauteng and co-convener of the Pretoria, Witwatersrand and Vaal Economic Development Forum. In 1993 he became deputy chairman of the ANC's Kyalami region. In 1996 he became a member of the Gauteng ANC's provincial executive committee. In 1999 he became the chairman of the safety and security committee of the Gauteng provincial government.
In 2004 he was elected as a Member of Parliament and served on the local government and constitutional development committees. In 2007 he became a member of the ANC's national executive committee. In 2008 he became Minister of Provincial and Local Government and served until February 2011, after which he embarked on extended sick leave, and was removed from his position as Minister in October 2011.
I knew the hon Shiceka for 17 years. The first time I met him was in 1995 in Gauteng, which is where I come from. I recall the day very clearly. We were in Germiston attending a provincial development meeting which he was going to chair. Expectations were high by all the newly elected councillors and municipalities as we all wanted to put our best foot forward, make an impact on local governance and do our best.
He probably had the same ideas and expectations and could not wait to get going. When he arrived there was a sudden buzz, lots of laughter and noise, and most of the delegates went outside to meet him. He suddenly filled the whole venue with his presence and personality. One, of course, could see that he was very popular.
In came a tall, handsome young man dressed to the nines in the latest fashion, wearing the most polished shoes that I have ever seen in the latest style and with a huge smile on his face. He embraced everyone in his vicinity and chatted to them, and one could see how much he loved life and people.
From the outset of that meeting he stamped his authority on the proceedings. He had a strong sense of direction and determination to succeed. His enthusiasm at times was infectious and people around him always wanted to impress and succeed.
In the following years we continued to meet and discuss various issues and problems relating to local government, which we both loved and still do. Many a time we could come to an agreement, but many a time we could not. An informal settlement named after him called Sicelo in Midvaal was one of the times we could not agree. To date, I'm still not certain whether our disagreement was to do with the name of the settlement as the area was certainly not suitable for development owing to the dolomitic formations. However, it was there to stay, there it stayed, and I will never know.
The implementation of the turnaround strategy was hailed as a great initiative in order to force nonconforming municipalities to perform their duties better and to hold them accountable. Sadly, the hon Shiceka will not be around to see the outcome of this initiative, but I do hope that this initiative will continue to achieve the outcomes he envisaged and not go to the grave with him.
We must never underestimate his love of South Africa and its people, his lasting contribution to the fight of liberation and his fight for the labour movements and their workers whom he understood and loved very much.
On behalf of the DA I would like to convey our sincere condolences to the entire Shiceka family, his friends and colleagues who, no doubt, will miss his enthusiasm, his vibrancy, his dedication and hard work and, most of all, his friendship and laughter.
Rest in peace.
Pust zemja jemu budt puhom [Rest in peace], Comrade Shiceka. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, Cope received with sadness the news of the untimely death of Mr Sicelo Shiceka, who served as a former Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Mr Shiceka and his younger sister Mandisa were simultaneously sworn in as members of the Gauteng legislature in 1994, where I and some of our colleagues in the House here today served for a number of years, until the untimely death - and very early death - of his little sister, who was only 24 in December 1994 when she was killed in a fatal motor vehicle accident.
Mr Shiceka and his sister were regarded as strong and youthful activists. Everyone expected them to make their mark in the new democratic dispensation. When the then newly elected Premier of Gauteng, Mr Tokyo Sexwale, announced his first executive council in May 1994, Mr Shiceka, at the young age of 27, entered the executive scene in South African politics as a young and energetic new member of the executive council.
During our time in the Gauteng legislature, he led several departments. However, it was mainly in the then committee on local government and development planning where I interacted mostly with him. As we all know, Mr Shiceka was a strong-willed - some would say, rather obstinate - person who seldom, if ever, deviated from what he considered right.
However, he was prepared to listen to sound arguments and could be persuaded to change his mind if he was convinced that the new idea could improve service delivery and service to communities. Whatever he lacked in experience was made up for with unstoppable enthusiasm, energy and dedication.
Enjoying apparent solid support from his party at the time, he went from strength to strength. As far as I can recall, he only suffered one major setback when he lashed out at public representatives and government and municipal officials who failed to pay for consumed municipal services. His call then, that they should sign debit orders to enforce compliance, crashed before it could take off.
His deployment to Parliament and his ascent to Cabinet are well documented. While arguably at times controversial, there was seldom a dull moment when the hon Shiceka was involved. Regrettably, ill-health took its toll and, obviously, also impacted on his overall enthusiasm and performance. He lived life to the full, and we will remember him for his enthusiasm and friendly smile, behind which lurked a strong-willed and determined personality.
Cope greets him and we express our sincere condolences to his family and close relations. Our condolences also go to the governing party, where Mr Shiceka was a member of the national executive committee. May his soul rest in peace.
Hamba kahle, Sicelo. [May you rest in peace, Sicelo.]
Thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, the IFP joins all other parties in expressing our sincerest condolences on the passing of our dear colleague. We agree with everything that has been said so far regarding the outstanding talents and achievements of our dear late colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this moment.
Our colleague's death came as a shock, but it also carries a message for all of us today. That message to every one of us is: Am I ready to go if I am called today?
We support the motion. [Applause.]
Somlomo, kwakhona sihlangene apha sizogxwala emswaneni kulowo wayesakuba nguMphathiswa neLungu lale Palamente, umhlekazi obekekileyo uSicelo Shiceka, othe wasweleka ngoMvulo, umhla wama-30 ka- Apreli 2012.Siyi-UDM sidlulisa ilizwi lovelwano kusapho lwakhe, abantwana bakhe, abahlobo bakhe nombutho omkhulu i-ANC kunye namahlakani awo. Utata uShiceka sakukhumbula ukuba waba negalelo kumzabalazo wokuba sikhululeke sibe kule nkululeko intsha kwaye siyambulela ngoko. Siyayibulela nendima yakhe ayidlalileyo kwiSebe loBambiswano ngoLawulo nemMicimbi yeMveli, ngexesha ebenguMphathiswa walo. Imithandazo novelwano lwethu lukusapho nabantwana bakhe. Lala ngenxeba mzi kaPhalo, akuhlanga lungehlanga. Lala ngoxolo mzi waseQawukeni nowasemaMpondweni. [Enkosi.] [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Mr L B GAEHLER: Speaker, we have come again to offer our condolences to the former Minister and Member of Parliament, the hon Sicelo Shiceka, who passed away on Monday, 30 April 2012. As the UDM we offer our condolences to his family, his children, his friends, the ANC and its alliance partners.
We will remember that the hon Shiceka played a vital role in the struggle for liberation and we are grateful to him for the freedom we are now enjoying. We also commend him for his contribution in the Department of Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs while he was the Minister. Our prayers and sympathy go to the family and his children. We extend our condolences to the Kingdom of Phalo, the community of Qawukeni and of Pondoland. Thank you. [Applause.]]
Agb Adjunkspeaker en kollegas, die VF Plus assosieer onsself graag met die mosie voorgestel deur die Hoofsweep van die Meerderheidsparty, waarin hulde gebring word aan ons agb kollega, die voormalige Minister, mnr Sicelo Shiceka, wat onlangs afgesterf het.
Dit is so dat die agb kollega vir 'n tydlank ongesteld was en ons was almal bewus daarvan. Ek weet nie of ons almal noodwendig die erns van sy siekte besef het nie. Wanneer so 'n kollega dan ter sterwe kom, bly dit maar altyd onverwags en 'n skok.
Die agb kollega het nie genoeg tyd gehad om dit wat moontlik in sy gedagtes was wel in sy departement suksesvol te kon deurvoer nie. Hy was nie lank aangestel nie en was vir die meeste van die tyd ongelukkig ongesteld.
Ons dink aan sy party wat 'n kollega verloor het en aan sy gesin wat 'n familielid verloor het. Ons dra graag ons respek en hulde oor, en ons ondersteun graag die mosie. Baie dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Dr C P MULDER: Hon Deputy Speaker and colleagues, we as the FF Plus gladly associate ourselves with the motion proposed by the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, in which homage is paid to our hon colleague, the former Minister, Mr Sicelo Shiceka, who died recently.
The hon colleague was indeed sick for some time and all of us were aware of that. I don't know whether we necessarily realised the seriousness of his condition. When such a colleague then dies, it is always unexpected and a shock.
This hon colleague did not have enough time to successfully implement in his department the things that were possibly on his mind. He was not appointed for that long and was unfortunately most of the time ill.
We are thinking of his party, who lost a colleague, and of his family, who has lost a family member. We have pleasure conveying our respect, we honour his memory, and gladly support the motion. Thank you very much.]
Deputy Speaker, the ACDP learned with sadness of the death of former Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Sicelo Shiceka, who passed away after a long illness on Monday, 30 April 2012. The 45-year-old parliamentarian will be remembered for his work done on the Local Government: Municipal Systems Bill to ensure that qualifications and merit would mean more than political attachments.
Mr Shiceka approached tasks with dedication and great energy and had a reputation of being a hardworking Cabinet Minister. He had a strong grasp of local government and it was under his leadership that a new turnaround strategy and audits into municipalities were done. On behalf of the ACDP, I wish to express our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Sicelo Shiceka's family, friends and colleagues. You are in our thoughts and prayers. [Applause.]
Hon Deputy Speaker, the ID was extremely saddened to hear about the passing away of Sicelo Shiceka on Monday after what was a long illness. He was somebody who had dedicated his early life to fighting the unjust system of apartheid, which he initially did through the United Democratic Front.
Once political liberation had been finally achieved, Shiceka played a pivotal role in setting up the structures of governance in Gauteng where he was appointed as MEC. He was then moved to the national Parliament where he was appointed a Cabinet Minister in 2009, with the portfolio of Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Although Shiceka attracted controversy to the post in his later years, initially he brought real passion to this position and seemed determined, as evidenced by his fighting talk, to sort out the corruption and maladministration that plagues so many of our municipalities. Unfortunately, he was unable to completely follow through on this determination, and it is now up to us in this House to ensure that his early passion is revived, that all of the problems he pointed out can finally be addressed, and that there are appropriate consequences.
The ID also wishes to extend its condolences to the Shiceka family, and to his many comrades and friends within the ANC. May his soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mohl Seboledi, meloko le metswalle ya mohl Sicelo Shiceka, maloko a PAC ya Azania a re mahloko go lena. Mahloko le go ANC, lapa la mohl Shiceka la sepolotiki. T?hukudu ye kgolo ya "amaKhonjwayo" e lapi?it?we ke marumo. Phiri ke kgale e mo dikologa pele e mo phamola mahlong a rena.
Badi?a ra boa madi?ong re ikgapa gobane mehlape e jelwe ke sebata. Re palet?we ke go di?a Maafrika. Re ?et?e re it?hat?harela ge re bona morwa wa Shiceka a le dinaleng t?a seatla sa makgwakgwa. Seatla sa leho ga se na le?oko. Re kolobile ka meokgo, re lla sa bo "mma wee" sello. Ditau t?a Afrika di tla ?ala di i?wa ke mang setswet?i ge bagale boShiceka ba fulere? (Translation of Sepedi paragraphs follows.)
[Mr L M MPHAHLELE: Hon Speaker, the friends and family of hon Sicelo Shiceka, and the ANC which was hon Shiceka's political family, the members of the PAC of Azania are conveying their condolences to you. The great man of "amaKhonjwayo" is tired of fighting the battle. He died after a long illness.
Fellow Africans, we couldn't save him from the hands of death. We are mourning the death of Shiceka's son. Death is cruel. We are deeply saddened by hon Shiceka's death. His commitment and passion to his work will always be missed.]
Comrade Shiceka suffered the burden of being human: the universal curse of erring. In Africa, before we were uncivilised by the West, we never used to settle scores with the dead. We never quarrelled with them in a disrespectful monologue. Out of respect for the bereaved, let us desist from speaking ill of their beloved departed soul. We owe Comrade Shiceka a big thank you for being on the right side of history. Some of us seated here today, full of self-righteousness, were once on the wrong side of history. All is forgiven. We are duty-bound to forgive.
Hamba kakuhle Sukude, Mkhondwana, Gxarh'eliphezulu! Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.] [Rest in peace Sukude, Mkhondwana, Gxarh'eliphezulu! Thank you.] [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, there is no doubt that you can achieve all things through the Lord Almighty who gives you strength. On behalf of the MF, I extend heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and friends of the former Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the late Sicelo Shiceka.
We pray that God Almighty bestows strength, courage and fortitude on the family during this time of bereavement as they continue to experience emotional pain and sorrow. Indeed, the late Sicelo Shiceka will be sadly missed also by the ANC, and our condolences are also conveyed to them for the loss of a hardworking and remarkable person who had an incredible impact on the Local Government Turnaround Strategy.
As the late Shiceka was involved in the struggle from the early 1980s, I have no doubt that he indeed will be sadly missed by all those who believed that his honour came from fighting for his people. To the Shiceka family: Remember that no one can fail you if God Almighty stands up for you. We pray during this time of your bereavement that the vacuum - the space - that has been created by the passing away of Sicelo will be filled with fond memories. There is no doubt whatsoever that he indeed wanted to create an environment that is respectful and conducive to service delivery. May God Almighty forgive him for all the errors he committed through human weakness. May peace be upon him and, through the grace of God Almighty, may his soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Deputy Speaker, my thanks go to the members for their tributes to the late Comrade Sicelo Shiceka. In fact, the tributes here reminded me of an African proverb, which says that until lions have their historians, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
A letter found in the pocket of an unknown El Salvadorian, who died in a fight for freedom, reads: Ask not my name Nor if you knew me The dream I have had Will grow without me. Alive no more I will go where my dreams have shown me. Those who carry on the fight Will plant other roses All will remember me.
This august House decided to convene this special sitting on this day of destiny to bid farewell to one of our own, a fearless fighter and a tireless warrior whose entire life was dedicated to serving the people and his movement the ANC. The life story of Comrade Sicelo Shiceka is the life story of his generation, a generation defined by Oliver Reginald Tambo as the "Young Lions", a generation that President O R Tambo called upon to make apartheid unworkable and the apartheid system ungovernable.
As many have said here, Comrade Sicelo never knew his youthfulness, because at a tender age he was thrust to the forefront of the struggle for freedom and liberation in this country. He understood very well the call made by his president, at the time of the South African Youth Congress, Comrade Peter Mokaba when he said that the youth are the shock troopers and are at the cutting edge of the revolution. He was a brave young lion whose blistering roars struck deep fear in the enemy camp.
As others have said, he rose from the ranks of the youth to the ranks of the workers. He also, when our democracy dawned, joined the contingent of cadres deployed by the ANC in the legislature of Gauteng. He was also elected to the national executive committee of the ANC at the last national conference in Polokwane.
Comrade Sicelo Shiceka became Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2008, which was called provincial and local government at the time. In 2009 President Zuma appointed him as the Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
He launched an ambitious programme, and I think that when we talk of him today we will remember some of these programmes. Operation Clean-Up was an operation which was four-legged, and entailed: one, clean cities and towns, the objective being to promote environmental health and programmes to change waste into wealth, particularly the recycling of waste, and refuse- removal initiatives; two, debt collection, which some colleagues spoke about, and this entailed making sure that all those who owed municipalities paid up; three, public mobilisation and revenue enhancement, as well as infrastructure backlogs and economic development; and, four, Operation Clean Audit, a programme meant to ensure that all municipalities got unqualified audits by 2014. It was during the occasion of the state of the nation address, when he was still Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, that he signalled his intentions when he said: "The Ministry and Department of Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which the President announced on 10 May 2009, will diligently and relentlessly play its role as the choir conductor of our system of co-operative governance." This earned him the name "Choir Master".
The death of Comrade Sicelo has removed from the political scene one of the greatest figures in the South African revolutionary movement. The injunction laid upon those Sicelo left behind was the same as that set upon Horatio by Hamlet: "to report me and my cause aright".
Every age has its prophet. The immediate conditions of life demand of the people that they act in a particular way, and each day carries a burden of its past and the seeds of the future. To understand and overcome the former as well as to appreciate and exploit the latter requires men and women with the passion, energy and forthrightness of Sicelo.
He was fearless in a difficult time before political liberation came. He was disciplined and excelled as a leader in political liberation fronts. His life contains a number of lessons for us as the leaders and soldiers who must carry the political spear forward.
We are saluting a leader today who, many years ago, stood up against what he believed was wrong and, in doing so, endangered himself and his survival together with his generation under the slogan: "Freedom or death, victory is certain".
We mourn his loss. We must thank him most profoundly, particularly the family, for his selfless service to all South Africans and humanity at large, for his generosity of spirit, and for teaching the nation love for people, respect for human dignity and compassion for the weak, the poor and the downtrodden.
A cadre of substance and principle, who will stand out in the memory of the nation in a very special way, is Comrade Sicelo. He brought a mixture of loyalty and passion to his public support of the new order that the organisation he faithfully served, the ANC, worked so hard to bring about. His fearless forays into issues of regional and national importance will be widely saluted not only by the members of the ANC, but by the nation as a whole.
Sithi hamba kahle Sukude, Mkhondwana, Santsabe, Gxarh'eliphezulu! Sithi Mthwa kasiHulu! Siyabonga. [Ihlombe.] [Farewell Sukude, Mkhondwana, Santsabe, Gxarh'eliphezulu! We say Mthwa kasiHulu! [clan names]. Thank you. [Applause.]]
Debate concluded.
Thank you, hon Minister. I take it that there are no objections to the motion. Will members please rise to observe a moment of silence in memory of the late hon Shiceka.
Motion agreed to, members standing.
Thank you very much. Please be seated. The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the Shiceka family.