By Mr Hennie Bekker MP

National Assembly 6 May 2008

Madame Speaker,

The IFP would like to extend its condolences to the majority party and the family and friends of Ncumisa Kondlo who passed away suddenly on 24 March 2008. I know my colleague, Eugenia Chang MP, would have been greatly honoured to speak here today as she was very close to Ms Kondlo, who was a member of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises. Prof Chang is however in China at this time, but she has asked me to convey her deepest sympathies and condolences to all concerned.

I was also very fortunate to know Ms Kondlo as I am the alternate member on that committee. I always found her to be very dedicated to her task as a legislator and overseer of the executive - tasks which she carried out with discipline and great commitment.

It came as no surprise to me when she was elected to the ANC National Executive Committee and the ANC National Working Committee as she had always exhibited great leadership qualities in Parliament and in the ANC and Communist Party. Her lifelong dedication to their causes testifies to this fact.

Madame Speaker,

Parliament, the ANC and the SACP have lost a valuable member in Ms Kondlo and she will be sorely missed. Yet, we must not think of ourselves only, but most importantly we should think of her family, friends and loved ones in this difficult time. To them we say: Honour her memory and dedication and remember her as a guiding light in your lives.

Thank you.