Mr Speaker, the DA associates itself wholeheartedly with this motion of condolence for Florence or, as we knew her, Mam' uNyanda. It was my privilege to serve with Mam' uNyanda on the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services.
As those of you who have served on this committee know, it is not for the faint-hearted. If you are a member of this committee, you go on a lot of site visits. You see and experience situations and circumstances that are profoundly depressing - of overcrowding, gang activities and reoffending.
You see heartbreaking cases of young offenders who have lost their way through drug addiction; of fathers who have stolen food to keep their families alive; and of mothers who are serving sentences for stealing clothes for their babies. These situations and circumstances can easily make one cynical or discouraged; but that was not my experience of Mam' uNyanda. While she was very critical of those who had broken the law, she always believed that people, given the right opportunity, could be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Perhaps because of her background in the ANC Women's League she believed, in particular, that women and children stood the best chance of being rehabilitated and was determined that they be given the opportunity to be so rehabilitated. At the same time, she also spoke her mind uninhibitedly and very directly. She called a spade a spade.
She was appalled at the incidents of corruption and abuse of power that occur in our prisons. She confronted the department very directly with these allegations and was never satisfied until they had been properly answered and investigated. On one occasion she went to a prison herself to investigate circumstances where there was an allegation of abuse, and provided a very full report to the department, which resulted in the suspension and eventual dismissal of an official of the department.
She was a highly dedicated and conscientious Member of Parliament and of the committee. As we all know, she had been in a poor state of health for some time and in a great deal of pain. Notwithstanding that, she did her duty to the committee. She went on the oversight visits using crutches and, in some cases, a wheelchair. She felt a sense of duty that she put ahead of her own pain and discomfort. I have nothing but the most profound respect for that.
She had a long career of service to her church, to her party, to the ANC Women's League, and to local, provincial and national government. We are inspired by her sacrifice and dedication. We salute her memory, and offer our condolences to her family, friends and colleagues in the ANC. May she rest in peace. [Applause.]