Mnr Speaker, ek het vir Mavis in 1999 leer ken en was vir twee jaar saam met haar in die provinsiale wetgewer van Noordwes. Ek het onmiddellik besef dat sy 'n formidabele vrou is wat 'n bepaalde passie vir kinders en hul opleiding het.
Gesien in die lig van haar agtergrond en haar akademiese kwalifikasies, kan 'n mens verstaan dat kinders na aan haar hart gel het. Hulle het nie net na aan haar hart gel nie, maar sy het ook vir hul belange geveg en dit met passie uitgeleef.
Die destydse premier, Popo Molefe, het menigmaal nie antwoorde gehad op die vrae van Mavis Matladi nie.
Dit is soms 'n wonder - en 'n mens verstaan nie altyd hoekom dit so is nie - dat 'n persoon wat met soveel ywer en passie haar doelwitte in die lewe nagestreef het, dan so skielik te sterwe kom.
Sy het ook nie geskroom om haar Christenskap uit te leef nie. As nietige wesens besef ons ook dat die lewe nie veel werd is nie, maar dat dit wel so is dat die mens wik, maar God beskik.
Die VF Plus wil sy medelye en simpatie met die familie en die gesin met die afsterwe van Mavis uitspreek. Soos alreeds ges is, glo ons dat sy in hul harte sal bly voortleef en dat haar werk vir die bemagtiging van kinders en vroue sal voortgaan. Dankie. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Mr Speaker, I first got to know Mavis in 1999 and served with her for two years in the North West legislature. I realised almost immediately that Mavis was a formidable woman who had a particular passion for children and their training. When she is viewed against her background and her academic qualifications, one can understand that children were close to her heart. Not only were they close to her heart, but she also fought for their interests and passionately lived this to the full.
The former premier, Popo Molefe, frequently had no answers to the questions asked by Mavis Matladi.
It is sometimes strange - and one does not always understand why this is the case - that someone who pursued her goals in life with such dedication and passion should pass away so suddenly.
Neither did she hesitate to give effect to her Christian convictions. As insignificant creatures we realise that life is not worth much, but that it is indeed the case that man proposes but God disposes.
The FF Plus wishes to express its condolences and sympathy with the relatives and family at the passing of Mavis. As mentioned earlier, we believe that she will continue to live on in their hearts and that her work for the advancement of women and children will continue. Thank you. [Applause.]]