Hon Speaker and colleagues, it is with great sadness that we yet again bid farewell to one of our own. Mama Florence Ntombizodwa Nyanda passed away on 5 May 2012, after having contributed to the struggle for human emancipation which saw South Africa being liberated from its oppressors, and having helped in the ushering in of a new democracy.
Very few people knew that mam'Flo, as she was commonly known, was a professional nurse. She joined the nursing fraternity during the time when nursing was a calling and not just an easy way of generating income.
She understood the art of service. That is why she worked in, amongst others, places like the farm areas. That is when there were no resources allocated for such activities. That is the same spirit of activism that saw her volunteering to serve as an organiser for the women of Mpumalanga. This did not just start after the unbanning of the liberation movements, but during the times when people did not want to associate themselves with the underground activities of the organisations fighting for the liberation of the oppressed.
She was a true organiser. Together with certain comrades, some of whom are no more, like the late Comrades Ntombizodwa Shope, Thoko Mabena and Christine Methule, she helped in forming and shaping the women's movement in the province of Mpumalanga. She served in women's organisations supporting the underground activities of the ANC. If you still remember, those who were in Mpumalanga, these included the Eastern Transvaal Women's Organization, which later made the establishment of the Women's League structures in the province of Mpumalanga easy.
Many people did not and still do not understand and appreciate the difficulties associated with working in a province adjacent to neighbouring countries such as Swaziland and Mozambique, during and after the liberation movement period. It is when you understand that, that you begin to appreciate today's challenges associated with our social security programmes in the country, especially in the provinces sharing borders with neighbouring countries such as the Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and others.
Mam'Flo understood such challenges; hence she also volunteered to serve in the local structures tasked with the responsibility of helping pensioners during pension pay-out days. Colleagues should remember that she did all of this during a period and time when we were not getting any stipends or allowances. That's what we call the true spirit of volunteerism.
When she was serving as an organiser of the ANC Women's League, there were no resources. I'm sure many comrades who were organisers then will remember the difficulties associated with that. That did not act as a hindrance to mam'Flo. She would use public transport. However, you have to understand the vastness of the rural areas, coupled with the poor transport and the infrastructure challenges of that time to appreciate the value of the work she did.
Hon Speaker, the person we are paying tribute to today understood the role of women in our society. She truly embraced the fact that as a woman you multitask - you organise, you manage, both in your family and in the community, you advise, and you negotiate on your own and on behalf of others. That's why we need to celebrate her heroic life of selflessness, passion and dedication to work and family.
She didn't let her body's aches keep her away from work. She had a passion to know more about her work and community. She was very critical of those who did not do their work. She was very disciplined and despised those who acted in an ill-disciplined manner.
She was a true revolutionary. Her obituary says it all - a tireless organiser, a community builder and a patriot for life.
We will dearly miss her in the ANC, especially we who are from Mpumalanga, because she used to keep us abreast of information and issues affecting our province. She would call you whenever she saw you in the corridors to update and advise you.
Who could have said mam'Flo was in her late sixties? She never looked it. She really was positive about herself. This showed in the way she dressed and her hairstyles. You can see from the picture there. She adored her family. She really excelled in multitasking. She was a true woman.
We want to say to her family: ...
Akwehlanga lungehlanga. [Please accept what has happened as fate.]
We are all at a loss. We find solace in the fact that she lived her life to the fullest as a true daughter of the soil. She dedicated her life to the betterment of all South Africans.
To us here, especially in the ANC, let us continue where she has left off and remember that the triple-oppression factor is still alive. Let's continue fighting for the total emancipation of the girl child and women in general. Allow me to read this poem for all those who were and are mourning her death, in loving memory of Mam'uFlorence Nyanda. It is entitled The Final Flight and the author is unknown:
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I've found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My Life's been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch,
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, he set me free.
Sithi lala ngoxolo qhawekazi lombutho. Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi! [Ihlombe.] [We say, rest in peace, heroine of the League. Let the name of women be praised! [Applause.]
Debate concluded.