Hon House
Chairperson, Chief Whip of the Majority Party, leaders of the various parties in the House, the Hlongwa family...
IsiXhosa:
... siyanihlonipha nonke kwaye siyavuya ukuba nibe nilapha.
English:
Death is a strange thing because it brings about anxiety, sorrow, emotional pain but it can also be a source of celebration. In the case of Bavelile Hlongwa we should celebrate life that has been lived to the
fullest. Young as she was, she has shown her ability to the world and therefore it is nice to celebrate. One person said to me that she was very young. I worked with her and I asked this Christian how old was Jesus Christ when he passed on? They answered that he was 33 years old and I said he was younger than Bavelile. So, Bavelile at 38 had lived life to the fullest therefore it is worth for us to celebrate her life.
It was Friday 13 September in the evening when Bavelile met her untimely death. She stopped to help other people who were in an accident and a truck ran over her and two others in the same accident. As a soldier, we need to celebrate that because she died in her boots and left us too soon. As a department, we are enjoying her vibrancy and her energy. She was full of energy and very vibrant. Every time she opens her mouth you could not doubt the content and we loved her uprightness which was unique and empowering.
Her liking to speak in areas where she was knowledgeable she would describe herself as the engineer in her refusing to agree. When she disagrees with you...
IsiXhosa:
Mama uNkosazana, uza kuhlala emadevini. Xa ekuhlala emadevini uthetha uthetha...
English:
... and then you will have to tell her to cool off. Her keenness to be part of the solution to challenges facing government was quite exciting. I would imagine that my Cabinet colleagues would remember the Cabinet meeting of that week. In that meeting she spoke, refused to be suppressed and expressed her views non-stop. That is Bavelile for you.
I can assure you that women, children and people with disabilities have lost an ambassador. On every discussion she would factor in the cause of women, young people and the cause of people with disabilities. I hope we would discover more who would stand for that cause. I always describe her as having madness like me because I am a little mad sometimes.
All the time.
Ooh, all
the time? Okay. No, let us say sometimes, it cannot be all the time. What I liked with that madness is that she would say things as she saw them irrespective of the company she was in. If it is red, it is red; if it black, it is black and she would not say it does not look white.
That madness was a unique gift and she hated mediocrity that is widespread in public service. She had a sense of urgency in executing any task allocated to her. If you were mediocre she would not say you are not performing but would say this mediocrity is not going to take us anywhere. Why are these entities that should be making money and declare dividends to the government are asking for bailouts? That is what she asked us regularly because we are running a lot of entities in the department.
She did not understand as to why entities that should be declaring dividends to government were asking for bailouts? The way she had a sense of urgency it seems as
if she knew that her life was going to be short but her death should not have been this tragic. In cases of talking about death, I like referring to David. I know many people like referring to Job but I prefer to refer to David. He teaches us to realise the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom. It is a very important and fundamental expression. He teaches us to number our days so that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
When you are a young person and you do your work as if you know that your days are numbered and you do not know how they are counted. So, that urgency is quite important. The day Bavelile passed on we were finishing the delegations in the department. Let me tell you that we have agreed with delegations. We had agreed on one criterion that anything that requires somebody to run around would be given to the Deputy Minister. This was because she had energy and I told her that I am old; cannot run around.
We agreed that she would do the following: monitoring and evaluation; community outreach; social labour plans; unclaimed earnings of miners; and the rehabilitation of
the derelict ownerless mines and enforcement. So, that is what we agreed on and I was delegated by her to do the broad departmental work policies and following through on the issues.
Unfortunately, I do not have a deputy for now and I may not give the same delegation to that new deputy depending on the energy that deputy will have. [Laughter.] If you are given a deputy which does not have energy it does not help giving same delegation to that deputy and collapse the work. That is where we are.
IsiXhosa:
Abantu bakwaHlongwa mabazincome ngokuba besinike lo mntwana wabo, wasebenza wada wabe uswelekela emsebenzini. Bendimbiza umafungwashe.
English:
This name refers to your first born girl child. The reason for that is that Bavelile was born on the same year as my first born girl child. So, our relationship was a father and a daughter only when she accepts that. When she want to engage she refused to be a daughter and
called me a colleague and I have to emphasise to her that... IsiXhosa:
... Bavelile, andinguye ugxa wabantwana, ndincede, ndingutata ebantwaneni. [Kwahlekwa.] Xa echulumancile uye ayamkele loo nto leyo kodwa ngelinye ixesha athi...
English:
... we are deployed here together by the ANC, we must share responsibilities and it is not your department. That is the kind of the person we are talking about. It is a pity that we do not get asked on who take and who to leave behind. One chap from Mthatha wrote on Facebook that:
IsiXhosa:
Angabhubha njani uBavelile? Nokuba bekubhubhe uGwede kuba mdala kakade. UBavelile usemncinci gqitha.
[Kwahlekwa.]
English:
Now, I have to accept that because it is an observation and not a reality. I am here; I am still alive. I can tell all of you that those who remember the day we were allocated these deputies, one member here asked me...
IsiXhosa:
... niza kusebenza njani noBavelile ingathi niphambene ngokufanayo nje?
English:
Then I told her that the only person who can work with Bavelile is me because I am comfortable in my skin and I will not try to suppress her. I am going to give her a space to display her engineering capabilities. [Applause.] That is what we did and in three months that we were together I was convinced that our department was going to be one of the model departments in the sixth administration. It is bad, though to regret death. We must accept that time has come for her to pass on because verily:
I say unto you that there shall not be stone left here, one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.
IsiXhosa:
Akusayi kusala litye phezu kwelitye, elingayi kuchithwa.
English:
So, all of us we are going to walk on the same journey. It is just a matter of time.
IsiXhosa:
Lala kakuhle Bavelile kwaye siyayivuyela into yokuba usebenze nathi.
English:
It was a privilege that was given to us by God. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon members,
may I take this opportunity to recognise the Hlongwa family, the mother, MaNzuza, brother, three sisters and
the helpers. I also would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Presiding Officers, and pass our heartfelt condolences to the family.
House Chairperson, hon members, colleagues, friends and families of Bavelile Hlongwa, when we learnt of the devastating news that the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy had passed away tragically, it came as a utter sense of disbelief. Just two days before, the Portfolio Committee of Mineral Resources and Energy had a very constructive engagement with the late Deputy Minister in the room above us, E249. We had been discussing the problems at the Central Energy Fund, PetroSA and the Strategic Fuel Fund. These were entities in which the Deputy Minister had taken a particular interest as her qualifications and experience as a chemical engineer working in the petroleum sector, had given her unique insight into the challenges the sector faced. Our interactions were robust, and we didn't always agree. But Bavelile Hlongwa was someone who could disarm you with a friendly smile or a friendly smile or a kind word. And even when we disagreed, we did so in a collegial manner.
Just after the meeting I referred to, she came up to me and we chatted briefly before parting on very amicable terms. She had come to give me her word that the department of energy would investigate the concerns I had raised and that they would be open and transparent in her dealings with me and the other members of the portfolio committee.
In the short time she was with us in Parliament, from just May this year, it was clear that Bavelile Hlongwa was a rising star in both, her political party, the ANC, and more broadly in South African politics.
Not only did she bring much-needed technical knowledge to the portfolio, but she brought an energy and dynamism that was felt by all who interacted with her. We had been looking forward to many more fruitful and beneficial engagements with her. Her skills and knowledge were acknowledged and recognised by her peers who elected her to represent them on the board of the SA Institute of Chemical Engineers in KwaZulu- Natal, an entity she later served as treasurer. She was also a
vocal advocate of youth issues, and had served as president of the students' representative council, SRC, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and later as the deputy chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency. Bavelile Hlongwa was committed to her country and its people. Indeed, the very manner of her passing while helping others on the side of the road, was indicative of her caring and compassionate nature. She was young, talented, dynamic and had a bubbly personality. In short, she was the future that South Africa could be. Her bright future and demonstrated potential were cut tragically short, and she will be sorely missed both in Parliament and without.
The DA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the Deputy Minister Bavelile Hlongwa, and to her political home, the ANC. May her soul rest in peace. "Hamba kahle, Bavelile Hlongwa!" [Fare well, Bavelile Hlongwa!"] [Applause.]
Chairperson, allow me to acknowledge the presence of the Hlongwa family who are present with
us today. And allow me to pass a word of condolence a word of condolence to the family and friends of the late Ms Bavelille Gloria Hlongwa on behalf of the EFF. We as the EFF were saddened by the untimely passing away of Ms Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa who was popularly known as Comrade BV. We are sharing in sadness as we remember her. We knew her for a short period of time though her contributions in the Ministry of Minerals and Energy were immense and would have brought an impactful change to South Africa as a whole. Remembering what a wonderful and energetic person she was all the time including the remarkable life had and that which lied ahead of her. She cared for the community and all people in South Africa as it is evidenced by the way she met her untimely death. You have touched so many lives for the good. Our hon deputy secretary-general, DSG, hon Hlengiwe Mkhalipi and hon Dumisani Mthenjane, had an opportunity to attend the funeral.
To the family your daughter, your mother and your sister was a blessing to so many people and we are grateful that we had a chance to know her as a colleague and we will forever cherish that moment. We know we cannot take
away the pain, but we are deeply sorry for the loss and wishing you moments of peace and comfort as you remember her. A letter from heaven by
Right now as I am in a better place, and though we seem apart, I am closer than ever I was to you. I am inside your heart. I am with you when you greet each other as a family while the sun shine bright. Just look inside your loving heart and you will find me right there. For every time you think of me, I am right there in your heart with you. Don't worry about me, I am with the Lord in heaven right now. I have asked the Lord to heal the hurt. I hope it helps to know I will be waiting for you. Remember me with a smile.
May your soul rest in revolutionary peace! Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, allow me to acknowledge the family of Hlongwa and also the staff that she worked with in the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources. I stand before this House as a representative of the IFP
to convey our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, friends and comrades of B V.
My relationship with B V transcends party lines. I didn't come to know her from the chambers in Parliament. It also never mattered that she was in the ANC and I served in the IFP. We served together on the Board of National Youth Development Agency, NYDA.
B V or Shorty, like I used to call her, was like the older sister I never had, she was my confidant, a good friend and comrade, she always had my back - and I had hers. She was also my work-sister when we both served in the Board of the NYDA. In fact, I remember that B V was the first person to congratulate me on my appointment to the board while we were busy with elections at Nquthu.
I also recall a time when she was only seen in her jeans and snickers outfits. I would wonder what is wrong with this lady! She even came to meetings dressed like an activist. She would voice out and say ...
IsiZulu:
Hhayi mtwana! Hhayi wena uyabonakala ukuthi ...
English:
... you are from Soweto. You always dressed up and you know how to put on your lipstick. And I ended up showing her how to put on a lipstick and applying a make-up and in turn, she would show me the light when I needed it the most and when I went through some difficulty.
We also used to laugh about the smallest things and we used to cry about the same things. B V touched my spirit and she did with many others who had the fortune of crossing paths with her. B V sacrificed so much of herself by serving others. Her kind hearted nature and Spirit of Ubuntu was beyond any other person I know.
We once fought for two years over a little boy who she wanted to be the primary caregiver for - little William. I was in Mpumalanga and called her informing her about my experience with the kids I met and that I wanted to adopt one of them which was William. She then told me over the phone, "You will never take William from me, that is my child!"
She also taught me that in life you will not change the world but what you can do is to change someone's life. A year, if you could adopt one young person and change that person's life. [Applause.] She gave so much love, she cared so much and that is why we are still mourning and our country is still in mourning because of such a tragic circumstance robbed this earth of one of the most dynamic, passionate, kind, loving and humble servant of the people.
The most ironic part of her passing is the fact that despite having lived a healthy lifestyle, she ate gluten-free foods and she was also an all- round healthy individual. Her untimely death was not health related. It is a lesson we should all be mindful of. Although the news of her passing came with such shock, she died the way she lived - always in the service of others.
To all those she has left behind, I know you miss her the same way I miss her. We just have to pick up the phone and tell her what's been happening, I miss hearing her voice and hearing her laugh, I miss her warm hugs
when life seemed cold. I miss you B V. I miss you and our country misses you too.
She shined like a diamond; she glorified God as a true Christian. I would like quote this verse for the family. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10. "We are hard-pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." May her soul rest in eternal peace. Thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, after our colleague from the IFP, we could almost close this debate. She spoke from her heart, she knew the colleague and I agree with each and every word that she said. I want to congratulate her on an excellent contribution.
Life is a journey, it is a race. None of us know how long our race or our personal journey in life would be. In this instance of our colleague, her journey was - in terms of how we as humans perceive it, it was a short
race. Our colleague was not a member of this House for very long and it is quite sad that her parents and her family are here today under these circumstances. They should have in years to come, in the gallery to celebrate her achievements and the things that she would have achieved in her career in Parliament. That did not happen.
I would like to express our sincere condolences to her family. For us today, this is a debate, after this debate we will continue with our work but, they will return home ... For them, it will remain a reality for the rest of their lives that they have lost a dear family member.
I want express our condolences to the ANC who have lost a colleague. And it is always very difficult - this colleague of ours who at the beginning of a wonderful career, she was a young person, a young person who made great strides in Parliament in the short time that she was here and she was destined to have a wonderful career in politics.
What happened to her is something that could happen to anyone of us and it happens quite often. She, from the goodness of her heart stopped to assist people that were in an accident and then under those circumstances quite often people are so focused in terms of helping that they understand or realise that other people don't know about this accident they are driving at a high speed into that situation. It is tragic, but it happens.
I have started off by saying that life is a journey, it is almost like a race. Then it's quite appropriate that on this obituary of our colleague the last paragraph ends with a verse from the bible 2 Timothy 4:7, ESV:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Our condolences. [Applause.]
House Chair, on behalf of the ACDP, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends of the late Deputy Minister, hon B V Gloria Hlongwa, as well as to the families of the four people who also died tragically in the same accident.
Other members have eloquently spoken about the hon Hlongwa's youthfulness, skills and knowledge and we support the sentiments that have been expressed.
We were deeply shocked when we heard the tragic
news of her passing and it is significant that she had stopped to assist another at an accident scene, when a truck crashed into her vehicle. She died helping others.
This accident also illustrates how vulnerable we as Members of Parliament, Deputy Ministers and Ministers can be as we travel frequently on oversight and other trips.
We must do more to ensure the safety of our members and all citizens on the roads. We need to pray more and we need to take action to ensure safety.
Minister Mantashe quoted Psalms:
Our days are numbered. Yes life is indeed short. James
4 teaches us that our lives are like the morning fog -
it's here a little while, then it is gone. Life is indeed fleeting - as we again see with this tragedy.
There are no guarantees about tomorrow, let alone next year, or in five or ten years. If we ignore this lesson, we will not live our life properly in the light of eternity. We need to make our plans and live our lives according to God's commands and purposes - and to make sure that we are in a right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and have repented of our sins.
Life is short and death is a certainty. Make sure that we emulate the hon B V Gloria to spread love, forgiveness and reconciliation wherever we go and this House our nation is desperate for this.
I would also encourage members in this Parliament to support and to pray for one another. There is a prayer group. The hon Kate Bilankulu and Magoshi Dikgale and the ANC's Deputy Chief Whip. Let us pray for one another, let us stand together. Yes, we differ politically often but it is time for us to hesitate for a moment and let this life mean something to us. We
rejoice in the fact that she is with the lord Jesus Christ.
To conclude, we in the ACDP, we pray that our heavenly father will surround the Hlongwa family and friends and the ANC, with his love and peace at this time. Let us remember malibongwe igama lenkosi. Praise the name of the lord. I thank you.
House Chairperson, today we are celebrating the life of a servant - a servant of the people who served the country well.
My sister, Bavelile Hlonga, served in many leadership positions where she was exposed to working with a number of people who characterised her as a lady of stature, poise and elegance, and who most importantly possessed the values of ubuntu.
Hon Hlongwa passed away whilst assisting victims of a car crash. It comes as no surprise that her last act was an act of bravery, kindness and ubuntu.
The ATM offers heartfelt condolences to her family as well as the ANC comrades. We hope that all South Africans will embody the very principles that hon Hlongwa embodied in her life and will leave this world a better place than we found it. We have such responsibilities as leaders of this nation.
IsiXhosa:
IGenesis 15 ivesi ye-15 uthi: Ke wena uyakuya kooyihlo unoxolo; ungcwatywe uyingwevu enkulu. Xa umamela esi sibhalo sithetha ngomntu osebenzileyo waza wawugqiba umsebenzi wakhe. Sithi namhlanje makalale ngoxolo. Enkosi.
Hon
House Chairperson, on behalf of GOOD, to the family present here today, all the friends and the ANC, please accept our deep condolences with the passing of a colleague.
I first met B V when we received our induction as Ministers and Deputy Ministers; we were sitting next to each other. It struck me immediately her inquisitive
mind and how she asked so many questions without being afraid; almost on every topic she asked a question.
So, in the short-term I knew the Deputy Minister I could see the positive impact she had made on the department and indeed on the whole of the executive. She was an example of a real good South African who gave everything to her people and country, and especially the youth. In every debate about any topic she asked "How is it going to benefit young people?" She also was a real champion for young people in our country; for all young South Africans.
I saw in one of the tributes, President Ramaphosa described her as a promising and principled leader who was never shy about expressing her views. It was very sad to hear the news of her passing. But to honour hon B V, it is now upon all of us, young and old, to try and live our lives the way she lived hers. We are here to serve others until we are no more. Hamba kahle [Go well] my sister.
We are assembled here to pay tribute to a leader - a woman who dedicated her entire life to the people of South Africa - Deputy Minister, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa. On behalf of the NFP we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the Deputy Minister and the ANC.
We are indeed saddened by the loss of such a young dynamic black female leader with great achievements under her name. She will not be forgotten and her resilience will indeed encourage many young women to enter into the political space.
We believe that women create a healthier political climate and a loss of a dynamic and experienced young woman like Bavelile Hlongwa will not go unnoticed.
Unfortunately, we did not have a chance to engage in discussion for me to have a chance to hear her hopes and dreams for South Africa, but I do know that she was committed to creating a better life for all South Africans. It is reported that in her last hours she assisted those who needed help.
May we continue and aspire to embodying the heart of servant leadership - the importance of serving the people of South Africa with integrity and honesty like Ms Hlongwa did.
Ms Hlongwa made her family and colleagues proud. May they continue her legacy and may we, as Members of Parliament, open this space for more young women to serve and lead this nation.
We also extend our condolences to the family and friends of the four people who passed away.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, and I quote: "It is not length of life, but depth of life." As the NFP we acknowledge the hard work and dedication Ms Hlongwa rendered in serving the country, and may her legacy continue to inspire the current and next generation of leaders. Thank you. [Applause.]
House Chairperson, as the AIC we convey our condolences to the family of the deceased
former Deputy Minister. It was not easy to believe that she had died. We really appreciate the contribution that she made to the government of this country; she was such a diligent and an energetic member of the Cabinet. She died at the time when we needed her most.
She was one of the possible qualities among the women of our country. Her death was a great loss not only to her family and the ANC but to all of us. The fact that she died while she was trying to save lives means a lot. She was always prepared to assist.
However, she could not have avoided her day; her name had been called and she had to respond positively. Of course no one is meant to live forever; we all have our days to depart for the better world. Therefore, be comforted and find closure in all of this; you are not alone.
We hope that we shall meet her as promised by the Almighty. We are all in the queue to the grave, but she apparently jumped the queue because she was still very young - we didn't expect her to die.
Those whom God love die young. Of course even the elderly people die, but young in the sense that she had a good heart and not in terms of age.
IsiZulu:
Ngakhoke, isitsha esihle asidleli.
English: 14:44
If I can just quote Shakespeare although I am against what the quote says: "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones."
So, we are going to remember her. We are not going to remember the bad that she did but the good. That is why I said I am against Shakespeare when he says that we should bury the good and remember the bad. May her soul rest in peace. Thank you.
Thank you very much. House Chairperson, the family of the late hon Bavelile and the ANC, her party, we say that we are very sorry about what has happened.
Hon members, death is very cruel, though we all shall go one day. Whichever realm of existence we are from and from whichever political milieu we are from, however different, we are one. She died at a very young age. I checked her past, saw what she studied, and passed of course. ... that she was an engineer and relevant to the department she was appointed in. ... that she was still studying, although she was in what others may enjoy as a comfortable position. She was still going on and ... actually prepared to help as many people as it is possible on earth.
Positions she occupied show the capacity she had. As she grew she had occupied many positions but she never said, because I've gone through these positions and because I have been a leader here and there, I am up there. She still went on, came here and said, I am available.
She went out there and when she died she was helping other people. She did not say, I am the Deputy Minister ... I'm passing. People are there. They are dead. Trucks
are coming ... very terrible roads. She went on and said, I am assisting, and unfortunately she died.
Like Jesus Christ, she died helping and these are things that we need not forget. I hope that wherever we are seated and however different we may think we are, it is a fact that we are one. Here as we sit, sent of course by the people of South Africa, we are one. We shall embrace one another and cry together, and say, this daughter of the soil is gone. She was our daughter, she was our sister and together with her we shall go one day. [Applause.]
House Chairperson, as the PAC we convey our heartfelt condolences to the Hlongwa family and her organisation, the ANC.
Public administration is robbed and the entire political arena is robbed. The prosperity of our young people will never be the same, for your departure has left a gap in their lives. The PAC had hoped that a young leader of your calibre would transform the inequalities within the department. We need more representation of African
people, and youthful leadership of your calibre would have helped in that regard.
Farewell daughter of the soil. Pass our revolutionary greetings to our fallen heroes. Tell them we shall carry forth the baton.
IsiZulu:
Alwehlanga lungehlanga.
Arabic:
A'udhu billahi minash shaitanir rajim. Bismillahir rahmanir Rahim.
English:
Al Jama-ah was really moved by the outpouring of grief and the celebration of Comrade BV, the Deputy Minister's life when it was presented at the funeral. We would like to thank the ANC and the government for their part, so that we could participate in the befitting funeral and farewell.
South Africa and the African continent has lost a martyr; like the Minister said, a combatant serving beyond her duty. We must learn from her dedication, inspired by the ideology that we should embrace.
Al Jama-ah once again extends our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and the South African community. Thank you to mama in the gallery, and the family, for attending this session of Parliament, which Al Jama-ah really appreciates. You gave South Africa its greatest daughter in the service of the country. [Applause.]
HON MEMBERS: Malibongwe! Malibongwe! [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL
AFFAIRS: Thank you very much hon members and a special greeting to the Hlongwa family.
I think today is another sad day where we remember Bavelile, but we must indeed celebrate her life. I just want to say a few things about her. I worked with her when she was in the National Youth Development Agency,
NYDA. She reported to me when I was in the Presidency. I worked with her in the ANC but I just want to give you a picture of the day she died.
I was with her from that morning and I left at about 15h30. I left them to continue in Limpopo. She was just very happy on that day, more than she usually was; very vibrant. When the choir sang she stood up and sang with the choir. She was just, somehow, extraordinarily happy.
At lunchtime she was the same. She moved from this table taking photos. It was like she was saying goodbye but none of us were aware. I remember one of my daughters said to her, BV, please send me the photos that you took with your camera, and she said, okay, I'll send them now, now, now, because if I don't send them now I'll never send them again. We all laughed. We didn't think there was anything. I think she also didn't know what she meant.
So, just before I left I asked her, are you staying or are you sleeping over? She said, no I'll stay for the youth thing but I'll go, and my daughter said, no, I'll
sleep over. And ... [Inaudible.] ... Mahambehlala and other comrades were there and it was just such a happy day.
Again, it was not just a happy day. She was busy with the students ... talking to the students and she was going to be in a youth league event later. So she really died as she lived. She was just the unforgettable Bavelile that we knew.
I just want to say to the family, you know, you become what you get at home. She was respectful but firm. She was very disciplined but, as the Minister said, sometimes with a bit of madness; but not rude. She was just a very well brought up child. She was a beautiful human being. So I just want to say, Bavelile, look after all of us.
This debate was also very unifying and I think she would love that because when she helped the people who were in an accident, she didn't even know who they were or which party they belonged to, but they were human beings to her and she had to help them. I thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you very much, hon Minister. Hon members that concludes the Speaker's List on this matter. I take it that there are no objections to the motion being adopted? Will members please rise to observe a moment of silence in memory of B Hlongwa.
May her soul rest in peace. Thank you. Hon members, the presiding officers associate themselves with this motion. The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the Hlongwa family. Thank you very much.