Madam Speaker, hon members, I rise on behalf of the ACDP to support the motion printed on today's Order Paper in the name of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party.
The untimely death of our former colleague, Minister Collins Chabane, came as a shock to us all, as nobody could have predicted that such a young, capable and dynamic Minister would leave us so soon.
Indeed, it is not only his family, the government and the ANC that have lost a dedicated and steadfast member, but the nation has lost a caring, humble and remarkable man, who served and led with kindness, loyalty and passion.
When I got the news about Mr Chabane's tragic death on Sunday morning, the first thought that came to my mind, after the initial shock, was ``Life is very short''.
I was with the late Mr Chabane on Friday evening, 13 March, at the 5th Global Fund for Jesus Annual Banquet in Sandton, where he was scheduled to speak on behalf of government. He did not use his prepared speech at all. He told attendees that he was a committed Christian and an active member of his church. He further said that his family policy, which his wife often reminded him of, was to be at church first before attending to any business on Sunday and that as a politician, he would like to be involved in an initiative like the Global Business Roundtable that is committed to bringing about social transformation. We regret that he left before he could be involved with this initiative.
Hon members, life is indeed very short. Scriptures say, ``You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.'' Time is not on our side. While we have breath in us, let us make right with God and prepare for eternity. Now is the time to find out more about how to attain salvation that is found through Jesus Christ. Our colleague has left us unexpectedly. We who remain should not only continue with the excellent political work he was doing, but let us also commit ourselves to the God he was committed to.
My prayer is that the God of all comfort will comfort and strengthen us all as we convey our heartfelt condolences to the ANC and the families and friends of Minister Chabane, Sergeant Sekele and Sergeant Lentsoane.