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.]