Deputy Chairperson, as we were fellow Members of Parliament, I knew and respected Comrade Sicelo Shiceka for his diligence, fair- mindedness and understanding of local government matters. Cope is saddened by his passing away.
In his time Comrade Sicelo Shiceka was an outstanding mobiliser of people and his contribution to the struggle cannot be challenged by anyone. He fought against the oppression of the people by an apartheid state bent on dehumanising the people of our country. He stood tall and strong in that struggle, where many perished, so that today we can all enjoy equality, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of association. With today being World Press Freedom Day, it is fitting that we salute those who stood for media freedom. I also personally remember him as a great champion of nonracialism and nonsexism.
Unfortunately, near the end of his life, when he was seriously ill, the Public Protector found against him on a number of governance issues and although he was expected to challenge these findings, he did not live to do so. Life is a short span and each death of a comrade challenges us to ask questions about our own lives and our own decisions, so that we can leave the world with a legacy that a future generation can be proud of.
I wish on behalf of Cope to extend our sincerest condolences to all his colleagues, friends, comrades and family members. We valued him highly. With his passing away, we retain in our memories what he stood for and fought for. His contribution will continue to motivate us, because freedom requires new champions in every age.
Deputy Chairperson, I want to say to his family and comrades that anyone who has not made mistakes is the one who can point a finger first. I thank you.
Hon Deputy Chair and members, on behalf of the DA and as a member of the Select Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, I convey our condolences to the family of the former Minister, Sicelo Shiceka. Our presence here today reflects his contribution to creating a democratic South Africa. It is a presence that he deserves.
The organisations that he served are a clear indication that he dedicated his young life and energy to a meaningful cause, namely the liberation of the nation. His young life was indeed a sacrifice for a greater cause.
I am sure that as government, public representatives and citizens we have learnt valuable lessons from Mr Shiceka. As human beings, let us hold on to what was good, honour our past and commit ourselves to a better future.
Hon members, for all of us here there is a time to come and a time to go. We are thankful to the Almighty for the time the former Minister Shiceka was allowed to be with his loved ones and colleagues and to serve his country. May his soul rest in peace. I thank you.
Hon members, I have been advised to take the hon Boroto off the speakers' list and to ask hon Matila to be the next speaker.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, hon members, special delegates, and ladies and gentlemen, this week our nation learnt with deep shock and sadness the tragic news of the passing away of the former Minister for Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Sicelo Shiceka, who was also a member of this august House. Allow me to join hands with compatriots throughout the country to extend my deepest condolences to the Shiceka family. The untimely passing away of Mr Shiceka is not only a loss to his family but a grief shared by the nation and the movement that he served with the utmost commitment and dedication.
He was a leader in his own right and distinguished himself in all his responsibilities and tasks. I am sure that those who walked with Mr Shiceka will bear testimony to the fact that he was truly a great South African. He showed the utmost commitment to the transformation of our local government. His leadership and political ideas will continue to inspire and drive our agenda to build an effective local government system.
Mr Shiceka was an outstanding leader of the struggle, who played a critical role in raising the confidence and consciousness of the 1976 generation in order for them to stand up and fight against oppression. He was an influential leader and icon for the many young people who were determined to wage a fearless fight against oppression in our society. As a young leader in the 1970s and 1980s, Comrade Sicelo Shiceka worked tirelessly to mobilise young people to wage a concerted fight against the apartheid regime and all its attempts to suppress our people.
Mr Shiceka was involved in various anti-apartheid structures. On the illustrious list of his contributions are the following: he was branch chairperson of the Congress of South African Students in Soweto in 1980 and a member of the Gauteng leadership structure of the Azanian Students Organisation in 1987. He was also involved in the labour union movement and became an organiser for the Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union in 1989 and its provincial secretary in the 1990s.
I must indicate that I worked with him during the United Democratic Front period in the 1980s. I also worked with him in the movement in the 1990s and when I joined the legislature in Gauteng in 1999. I bear testimony to the good work that he did during that period.
He became the deputy chairperson of the ANC'S Kyalami region in 1993 and a member of the ANC Gauteng provincial executive committee in 1996. He served as the Gauteng development planning and local government MEC, following the first democratic elections in 1994.
After the 2004 elections, Mr Shiceka joined the National Council of Provinces, where he served as Chairperson of the Select Committee on Local Government, Constitutional Development and Administration. In 2008 he was appointed Minister of the Department of Provincial and Local Government, which later became the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. He held the position until 2011.
He has run the race, fought the fight and become the victor. All that awaits him is a crown from John Dube, Alfred Xuma, James Moroka, Albert Luthuli, OR Tambo, Lillian Ngoyi, Dorothy Nyembe and many other departed leaders of this glorious movement.
Re a re mogaka, robala ka kagiso. [Rest in peace, comrade.]
That concludes the orations of condolence. Let us stand and observe a minute of silence.
The Council observed a moment of silence in honour of the late Mr Sicelo Shiceka.
May his soul rest in peace!