Madam Deputy Speaker, as we reflect on a 100 days of the present administration led by President Zuma, let me take this opportunity to join other South Africans in conveying our deepest condolences to Ntate Phala and his family.
Ntate Phala was a formidable member of the ANC and uMkhonto we Sizwe, and during the struggle distinguished himself as a mentor, a visionary and someone who had unquestionable credentials. Because of his quest to free South Africa, he was detained on Robben Island.
After the first democratic elections in 1994, he served in the Limpopo legislature for one term and later served two terms in the National Assembly, until April 2009. Some of us knew him as a man of dignity, a mentor and a father figure. I'm sure as we were sitting in this House many of us gained valuable knowledge and useful information through his vast experience.
During the third democratic Parliament, my office was next to Ntate Phala's and he would always come and greet me and ask how my family was. This then showed him as a caring father and perhaps very outstanding in that way.
I do want to say Ntate Phala was a respected and dignified man. People would remember something that happened in this Parliament, when there was the Travelgate scandal and for some reason Ntate Phala saw himself entangled in this thing. We couldn't imagine how Ntate Phala could be involved.
When there was money that was to be paid in he was prepared to pay that money, even though he did not actually get in on the act of Travelgate. If it were not for hon member Komphela, he would have actually paid money that he did not even owe. He was so dignified and thought that we could not, and he, himself, could not be seen to be involved in this. Of course he was not and somehow it's good that that matter was laid to rest and was dealt with amicably.
In celebrating his life in politics - and we say he lived the life and was the change he wanted to see in the world, especially South Africa and Africa - we hope our sons and daughters can emulate him and also Ntate Phungula to forge ahead in the building of the truly nonracial society we all fought for. The dedication of a free society for all who live in it should be based on that which the two veterans have actually shown us.
Following the passing of Ntate Phala, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and the ANC. Re re robala ka kgotso. [May his soul rest in peace.] I thank you. [Applause.]