National Assembly Cape Town: 1 November 2007  

I had the privilege of knowing Harriet Ngubane for more than 40 years; a period over which we went through many great challenges and victories together. It was a period, at first, of great difficulties under apartheid, but her perseverance and belief led her to becoming one of the world's foremost anthropologists and social scientists. 

As so many others, Harriet started her professional career as a teacher In Durban before working as a research assistant at the University of Natal.

In those days, it was very difficult to access quality education, but she managed to do so with a bursary to study at Cambridge University. Already then, it was obvious that she would be one of the best scholars of her time.

So it proved, and she went on to study and lecture at a range of the most prestigious universities in the world. 

In particular her work on traditional African belief systems and Zulu culture made her a world renowned expert much in demand in the international academic community. 

Professor Harriet Ngubane was a colleague and good friend to many of us in this House, and although she had been ill for some time it still came as a great shock when I heard about her death.

I think we can all agree that Harriet had a brilliant mind, but she was also a very passionate and caring person who was fiercely loyal to her family and friends and this was one of her qualities that I admired the most. The fact that her children show the same academic excellence and dedication is an obvious pointer to their mother's nurture and care.

The contributions that she made as an IFP Member of Parliament, to her respective committees, Land Affairs and Water Affairs, as well as to the Party, will always be remembered and appreciated.  

She was dedicated, hard-working and disciplined - traits that clearly emanated from her academic background. She tackled all political and policy issues with the same determination to get to the bottom of the truth as one would have expected from a top academic. 

We all learnt a great deal from Harriet, but I do believe that there was still a lot more that we could have gained from her vast experiences and knowledge had we taken the time to visit, and interact, with her more often after she had left Parliament.  

Harriet Ngubane was an inspiration and a good friend who will be sorely missed. She was loved and well respected by many and we offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends.  

I thank you.