Hon 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 of African National Congress (ANC) member and former Member of Parliament, Mr Muthundinne George Phadagi, on 13 May 2012;
2) remembers that Mr Phadagi served in various capacities within the government, including as a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Public Works in Limpopo and MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison in 2010 and 2011 respectively;
3) further remembers that he also served as Mayor of Greater Thohoyandou Transitional Local Council and as a Councillor in Thulamela Local Municipality;
4) recalls that he held various political leadership roles within the ANC, including as chairperson of the Far North Region of the ANC, coordinator of the Northern Transvaal Co-ordinating Committee for the United Democratic Front, Provincial Executive Committee member of the Northern Transvaal Region and as coordinator of the 1994 national elections as leader of the Sub-Regional Election Committee;
5) further recalls that towards the end of his parliamentary activities Mr Phadagi was involved in the development of school diaries, the Advertiser magazine and the now famous Valley Messenger newspaper;
6) acknowledges his legendary sense of humour, his quick wit, his business acumen and his willingness to serve his people in whatever capacity;
7) appreciates his important contribution to furthering our democracy and his commitment and dedication as a public representative and community worker; and
8) extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr Phadagi, friends, colleagues and members of the African National Congress.
Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker, for this opportunity.
Motlat?asepikara, re le ba DA, re re ke ka manyami a magolo go ema mo lehono re i?a mant?u a bohloko a matshidi?o go lapa la mohl ntate Mathundinne George Phadagi, metswalle, meloko le ba mokgatlo wa ANC. Motlat?asepikara, mohl George Phadagi o belegwe ka ngwaga wa 1952 ka di 26 t?a June motseng wa Tswinga kgauswi le toropo ya Thohoyandou, lefaseng la Venda. Ke morwa wa boraro wa bahu Mna Muthelo Andrie le Mme Nyamugamadi Johanna Phadagi. Mohu George Phadagi o hlokofet?e ka di 13 t?a Mei 2012 a le bookelong.
Ntate George Phadagi o thomile sekolo kua Tswinga Poraemari, a fetela Lwamondo Sekontari fao a ilego a dira foromo ya pele go fihla ka ya boraro. Go tloga fao a ya Mphaphuli Sekontari a t?welapele ka foromo ya bone go fihla ka ya bohlano. Gona sekolong seo ke moo a ilego a thoma dipolotiki, e le mokgokaganyi wa mokgatlo wa baithuti wa South African Student Movement.
Go tloga fao ntate Phadagi a ya go ithutela t?a boruti?i Kholet?heng ya Boruti?i ya Venda e bit?wago gore ke Venda College of Education. O ile a phetha le go atlega go hwet?a lengwalo la diploma ya boruti?i ka ngwaga wa 1977. Dipolotiking o ile a beakanya pase ya go i?a maloko a mokgatlo lehung la Mokhomoreiti Steve Biko ka 1977.
O ?omile bjalo ka moruti?i sekolong se se phagamego sa Holy Trinity kua Atteridgeville fao a ilego a t?wet?a dipolotiki t?a gagwe pele. A ?oma le kua Saulsridge moo a ilego a kgethwa ke mokgatlo go tsenela dithuto t?a dipolotiki. Morago a ithutela t?a sesole sa Umkhonto we Sizwe le maloko a mangwe a mokgatlo.
O ile a gapelet?wa go ba leloko la mokgatlo wa baruti?i wa Tuata. Ka nako yeo ke ge mokgatlo o ?omi?ana le mmu?o. O ile a se lefe t?helete ya mokgatlo wa baruti?i gomme a rakwa sekolong seo. Go tloga fao o ile a yo ?oma sekolong se se phagamego sa Wallmansthal. O ile a swarelwa dipolotiki gomme a emelwa ke ramolao wa maemo a godimo ntate Dikgang Moseneke yo e lego Motlat?atona ya Toka wa Kgorotsheko ya Molaotheo ka se sebaka.
Morago ga gore a lokollwe kgolegong o ile a boela gae Venda go t?wet?a mo?omo wa gagwe wa boruti?i pele. Yena o ?omile dikolong t?a sekontari, sa Mphaphuli le sa Muvhavha, t?a praemari sa Murangoni le sa Guyuni. O ile a i?wa praemari ka lebaka la dipolotiki gore a se huet?e bana ka moya wa dipolotiki.
O ile a tlogela boruti?i a ya go ?omela in?orense ya Metropolitan moo le gona a ilego a t?wet?a dipolotiki pele. O ile a kgethwa go ba modulasetulo wa ANC Tikologong ya Far North. Ka 1995, nakong t?a Transitional Local Councils, o ile a kgethwa go ba ratoropo wa Greater Thohoyandou. Ka 2001 a ba khanselara ya mmasepala wa Thulamela.
Ka ngwaga wa 2001 ANC e ile ya mo romela Palamenteng fao a ilego a ?oma Komiting ya Photefolio ya t?a Dikgokaganyo. Go tloga ka 2004 go fihla ka 2009 o ile a ba Komiting ya Photefolio ya Profense le Pu?oselegae. Gona fao ke moo nna le Ntate Phadagi re ilego ra kopana gona, ka gore ka ngwaga wa 2004 ke wona ngwaga woo le nna ke tlilego Palamenteng ka wona. Ke ile ka hwet?a Ntate Phadagi e le motho yo bonolo, ntate wa go ba le tlhompho a kgona go tseba gore motho ge e sa le yo moswa o bont?hwa bjang mo?omo. E be e le ntate wa tlhompho, yo borutho. Go nna e be e le motswadi wa lerato, wa maele. O be a rata kudu gore ke dule kgauswi le yena ge re ile dikopanong t?a dikomiti t?a diphotefolio, a rata go mpont?ha sela le sela.
Ntate Phadagi o be a mpha dikelet?o, a mpot?a gape le ka t?a kgwebo. O ile a mpont?ha gape gore ke swanelwa ke gore ke re ke sa le yo moswa ke le mo dipolotiking ke tsebe gore ka le lengwe la mat?at?i ke tla fihla mafelelong a t?ona. O ile a ntemo?a gore ge ke fihlile mafelelong, ke swanet?e go ba le kgwebo yeo e lego gore ke tla kgona go iphedi?a ka yona.
Ke bone maele a gagwe e le maele a bohlokwa mo bophelong bja ka. Ge ke seno kgethwa ke etla mo Palamenteng, ke thoma go ema mo podiamong ke bolela gomme maloko a mangwe a nt?hupa ka menwana ba nkgarola, yena o be a re ge ke fedit?e go bolela ka morago ga go dula ga Palamente, a re go nna: "Swathe o a gola, ke se seo se diragalago mo Palamenteng."
Ke mo gopola ka mant?u ao, le ka mokgwa wo a bego a nkelet?a ka gona, le go mpont?ha t?a bophelo gobane ke motho yo mogolo yo e lego gore o be a ?et?e a bone t?e dint?i. Ka 2009, ge a tlo tloga Palamenteng, Ntate Phadagi o ile a ntaela a re: "Swathe ga ke sa tlo boa mo Palamenteng, ke boela gae ke ya go hlokomela kgwebo."
Morago ga fao o ile a kgethwa go ba MEC ya Me?omo ya Mmu?o go la Limpopo, fao a ilego a ntelet?a mogala a re: "Swathe ke bidit?we ke mokgatlo gore ke ye go thu?a Limpopo ke be MEC." Ke ile ka mo lebogi?a ka ba ka mo lakalet?a mahlatse le mahlogonolo gomme le yena a thabela seo.
Mohu Ntate George Phadagi o tlogela mosadi wa gagwe Thinamaano, barwa ba babedi, barwedi ba babedi le setlogolo. Ba ga Phadagi ga la lahlegelwa ke motswadi le le no?i, Afrika Borwa e lahleget?we ke mogale, moetapele wa mmakgonthe. Re le ba DA le set?haba ka bophara, re re moya wa gagwe o robale ka khut?o. Re tla dula re mo gopola ge le hlaba le ge le dikela. Ke a leboga. [Legofsi.] (Translation of Sepedi paragraphs follows.)
[Deputy Speaker, DA members are conveying their condolences to the family of Muthundinne George Phadagi, his friends, relatives and ANC members. Deputy Speaker, hon George Phadagi was born on 26 June 1952 in Tswinga village next to Thohoyandou in Venda. He was the third son of the late Mr Muthelo Andrie and Mrs Nyamugamadi Johanna Phadagi. He died in hospital on 13 May 2012.
Hon George Phadagi started school in Tswinga Primary School and went to Lwamondo Secondary School to do Standard 6 to Standard 8. He then went to Mphaphuli Secondary School, where he did Standard 9 and Standard 10, and that is where he started to be involved in politics. He was the organiser of the South African Student Movement while at this school.
Hon Phadagi went to train as a teacher at the Venda College of Education and completed his diploma in 1977. He organised a bus that transported ANC members to the funeral of the late Comrade Steve Biko in 1977.
He worked as a teacher at Holy Trinity School in Atteridgeville, where he also continued to be involved in politics. While working at Saulsridge he was selected by members of the party to go and study politics. He later trained as uMmkhonto we Sizwe cadre together with other members of the party.
He was forced to join Tuata, a teacher union which worked cooperatively with the government at that time but was later expelled from the school because he defaulted on monthly contributions for the union. He also worked as a teacher at Wallmansthal High School. He was arrested for his involvement in politics and was represented by Mr Dikgang Moseneke, who was a well-known attorney at that time. He is now the Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.
After his release from prison he went back to Venda to continue with his work as a teacher. He taught in Mphaphuli Secondary School, Muvhavha Secondary School, Murangoni Primary School and Guyuni Primary School. The reason behind his deployment to primary schools was to protect the high school students because he was going to influence them to join politics. He quit teaching and joined Metropolitan Insurance Company, where he continued to be active in politics. He was appointed as the chairperson of ANC's Far North branch. In 1995 he was appointed as the major of Greater Thohoyandou during the Transitional Local Councils. He also served as a councillor in Thulamela Municipality.
The ANC sent him to Parliament in 2001, where he served on the Portfolio Committee on Communications. He also served on the Portfolio Committee on Provincial and Local Government from 2004 to 2009. I met hon Phadagi in 2004 when I came to Parliament. He was a loving and respectful person who was interested in teaching the new Members of Parliament how the work is done. To me he was a loving parent who had a lot of advice to give. He always wanted me to sit next to him during portfolio committee meetings so that he could explain to me how the work is done.
Mr Phadagi used to talk with me about business and told me that one day I was going to retire from politics and it was therefore important for me to start a business that would serve as a source of income after my retirement.
His advice made a huge impact in my life. When I gave my first speech at the podium after my arrival in Parliament, other members pointed fingers at me, but he said to me after the sitting: "You are growing, Swathe, this is what is happens in Parliament."
I remember his words and the advice he used to give me about life in general because as a grown-up he had already experienced many things in life. When he left Parliament in 2009, he said to me: "Swathe, I am going home to look after my business. I won't come back to Parliament."
When he was appointed as MEC for Public Works in Limpopo he called me and said: "Swathe, I have been appointed to serve as MEC in Limpopo." I congratulated him and wished him the best in his new job and he appreciated that.
The late hon George Phadagi is leaving behind his wife Thinamaano, two sons, two daughters and a grandchild. His passing away is not a loss to the Phadagi family alone; South Africa has lost a hero, a true leader. He will always be remembered by DA members and the whole nation. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you. [Applause.]]
Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members, Comrade Muthundinne George Phadagi was a hands-on man who worked for people and with the people. No wonder he was Comrade George to everyone. As a former educator, he naturally came into conflict with the authorities of the time because there was no secret about his political affiliation and political involvement. For a while he endured punitive transfers, but the time came when he decided to leave teaching and commit himself even more actively to politics.
He pursued politics at a time when it was extremely dangerous to do so. He went to prison, suffered solitary confinement and sacrificed everything, including life with his family. In the new constitutional democracy, Comrade George played his role in local, provincial and central government. However, the kind of commitment he showed seems to be passing away with the demise of people of his quality. It is a challenge to us who remain.
His family and friends will miss him, while his organisation will be wondering where to find a replacement for him. We in Cope salute him for his bravery and his contribution to South Africa as a whole. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues in the ANC. May the good work that he started continue with others in his family, in his organisation and in South Africa.
Sithi ndlelanhle bab'uPhadagi, usikhonzele kwabaphambili. Ngiyabonga. [Go well, hon Phadagi; give our regards to those who have gone before you. Thank you.] [Applause.]
Hon Deputy Speaker, it is sad, as a member of this House, when we come here every now and then to mourn the passing away of one of us. It is even worse when it is a family member who has passed away, because every now and then we are extended family of that family member who passed away, and we always feel very bad about that.
Ukudlula kukamfowethu uPhadagi kube kubi kakhulu ngoba uwusebenzele umphakathi ngendlela enze ngayo, kusuka ekufundeni kwakhe kwaze kwafika lapho engena khona kwezombusazwe. Ukuba yilungu lomphakathi nelomndeni ukwenze ngokuhlonipheka. Nalapha eNdlini wenze umsebenzi wakhe ngokuhlonipheka kwaze kwafika ekugcineni lapho iqembu lakhe limphindisela emuva ukuba ayosebenza khona. Sidlulisa ukukhala kwethu njengeNkatha yeNkululeko ezihlotsheni zakhe, eqenjini lakhe, uKhongolose, nakubo bonke abaseduze nabakude naye ukuze ukukhala kwethu kuzwakale. Sengathi angahamba ngoxolo, alale ngokuphumula. Siyathokoza. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[The passing of my colleague Phadagi is very painful because he worked for the community in many ways, starting from his being educated to joining politics. As a member of the community and as a family member he conducted himself in a very respectable manner. Even here in the House he performed his tasks with respect until his party asked him to go back to where he came from to continue doing his job. As the IFP, we are conveying our condolences to his family, to his party, the ANC, and to everyone who is closely related to him and even those who are not so closely related to him; we ask you to hear our voices of mourning. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you. [Applause.]]
Deputy Speaker, hon members, on behalf of the UDM, accept our condolences on the loss of your son, brother, father, friend and comrade who passed away last week at the age of 60. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The late hon Phadagi was an exceptional politician and one of many people who contributed to the struggle for liberation. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Since the dawn of our democracy, the late hon Phadagi served South Africa in various capacities. In the early days of freedom, he became the mayor of what was known as the Greater Thohoyandou. Later he became a member of this House. Even at the time of his death, he was still working hard to ensure that our people were and felt safe. He served all these portfolios with distinction. We know that nothing we say will ease your pain. However, we hope you will derive some solace from the shining legacy of selfless hard work he leaves behind. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you.
Deputy Speaker, the ACDP joins this House in conveying our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr George Phadagi, who passed away on 12 May 2012. We understand that the death of Mr Phadagi is a great loss to the ANC and the Limpopo province. He had a reputation of being a hard-working man who made valuable contributions as a Member of Parliament, serving on the Portfolio Committee on Provincial and Local Government.
He also carried the responsibility of MEC of Public Works and was commended for his work as an adviser in the office of the premier in Limpopo, Premier Cassel Mathale. It is our sincere hope that Mr Phadagi's family and friends have the assurance that he has gone to be with his Maker, and we pray that they will experience the peace of Jesus Christ at this time. Thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, hon members, we are today paying our respects to a man from Tswinga, a place that ordinarily would not appear in the atlas or map book, but this is no issue because the Redeemer of this world was born in Nazareth, of all places.
I came to know George in the 2004 to 2009 session of Parliament and came to know him closer as we served together on the Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Traditional Affairs. His passion for the subject came out clearly because he was once a hands-on mayor of the Thohoyandou Municipality in Limpopo.
It also came out clearly that he had made a choice to join the ANC when it was not fashionable. He was put through the mill as he was incessantly incarcerated, but he never gave up or caved in. He displayed his principled stance when he stood up and made it clear that his conviction would not be swayed by hunger, or hankering after positions. It occurred to me that he was in the struggle with the likes of the late George Ramudzuli, my former student, who paid the price for his views.
Mr Phadagi was a man with a quiet disposition who kept his peace. We in the UCDM believe that wherever he has been called to, it must be a better place for him.
As we salute this son of the soil and doff our hats to his dedication, our hearts go out to his wife and children, extended family and the ANC. May his soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Deputy Speaker, the PAC joins a mourning nation in bidding farewell to Comrade George Phadagi. Comrade Phadagi's untimely death leaves all of us the poorer. He served his party, the ANC, and the nation with distinction. He died at his post, like the loyal people's servant he was. He leaves behind a rich legacy of selfless service.
As the PAC, we hope that the hon Phadagi's family will find solace and comfort in the fact that he lived for the noblest cause on earth: the liberation of humanity. Thank you. [Applause.]
Deputy Speaker, hon members, today we remember our hon comrade, Comrade George Phadagi. Comrade George Phadagi was born in 1952. May his soul rest in peace.
The loss of the hon Phadagi is also our loss as the ANC, his family and the government as well. He was a liberator who fought for the liberation of South African people under the ANC. He was a member of the UDF, and later became a chairperson of the Far North Region. He became the first mayor during the transitional local government, from 1995 to 2000. He was deployed to the National Assembly in 2002.
The hon George Phadagi and I arrived here on the same day and took our oath in the Speaker's office on 15 January 2002. When we came here, we were really learners, because we were disorientated: we did not know Parliament. We used to go out to Ms Iliffe's office, but when we had to return, we did not know the way back.
We used to come to this cross in the carpet. We were looking at the red carpet. The red carpet would also go in the other direction, and we would turn and get lost.
Comrade Phadagi was a very quiet man who used to make a lot of jokes. We would then pull each other every which way, but, in the end, we would get somebody to show us the way.
He was a very, very good father. He used to stay with his children in Acacia Park, while his wife was at home. But he used to look very nicely and very well after his kids. During our time here, the hon Phadagi said to me: You know what? I want you to have a memory of this Parliament. I am going to make an album for you.
I asked him how. He then brought with him a camera. Most of the members who were here during that time knew the hon Phadagi with his camera. He took photos, and today I remember him through those photos. He did a very good job. The hon Phadagi was not a talkative person. He was very quiet. Even when we were in a caucus, he was quiet and would sit alone as if he could not understand anything, when, in fact, he was very brilliant.
I will remember him in years to come as the orderly person that he was. He was a person of good order. I still have this photo album today, thanks to him. He became a member of the Limpopo legislature when he did not return in 2009. He was MEC for Public Works, later becoming MEC for the Police, and then an adviser to the Premier of the Limpopo province, Premier Motale. May his soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Agreed to, members standing.
Thank you. The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the Phadagi family and the ANC.