SPEECH BY 
MR JH VAN DER MERWE MP

Madame Speaker

I first met Arthur Chaskelson some 45 years ago when I was Registrar to a High Court judge in Johannesburg.

That judge told me:

• “Koos, watch this young Advocate Chaskelson.
• He is very bright.
• But, pasop, he is also a Communist!”

Today, after a lifetime, advocate Chaskelson may no longer be young, but we all know he is still very bright.

Whether he is still a Communist, I don’t know.

On behalf of the Inkatha Freedom Party I wish to say –

Thank you, Arthur,

• For always demonstrating the purest form of a judicial conscience. 
• For fearlessly protecting of the independence of the judiciary. 
• For dauntlessly protecting the values contained in our Constitution. 
• For being an outstanding example of a dignified and honest jurist;

We wish you well.

Madame Speaker,

In the event of judge Chaskelson still being a Communist, I wish to say goodbye to him in my best Russian:

(Russian words)           (English)                      (Pronunciation)
Spasibo, moy drug       (Thank you, my friend)  Spasiba, môi droeghk
Zhelayem uspekhov      (Go well!)                     Djelajêm oespêkhôf
Vsevo khoroshevo        (Greetings)                   Vi sêwô gharôshôva
Moy drug, dosvedania!  (My friend)                   Môi droeghk, dosvedania!

CHIEF JUSTICE LANGA

Madame Speaker,

The new Chief Justice is a shining example of a man who started at the bottom of the judicial ladder, and ended at the very top.

My Zulu friends have given me a name by which to call the new Chief Justice.

They say we should call him UDLONDLOBELE (Oe dlôn dlô bêli)

It means he reached the highest peak.

Madame Speaker,

During his illustrious judicial career, Pius Langa was also a court interpreter, speaking many languages.

I am told that after a criminal trial, he once translated to a young Zulu accused who was charged with stealing a sheep. Interpreter Langa told the youngster that the Magistrate has found that he is not guilty and therefore he did NOT steal the sheep.

The accused man then asked interpreter Langa: “May I now keep the sheep?”

Madame Speaker,

Our new Chief Justice was also our first choice.

In welcoming you, UDLONDLOBELE (Oe dlôn dlô bêli), we are confident -

• That you will be the Great Custodian of our Constitution;
• That you will be the Great Guardian of the independence of the judiciary; 
• That you will be the Great Mobiliser, mobilising whatever is required to protect our judiciary from sliding further into collapse; 
• That you will be the Great Protector, jealously protecting the integrity, dignity and efficiency of our courts, and especially our High Courts; 
• That you will protect the language rights of litigants; 
• That you will be the Great Transformer, ensuring that the bench is transformed, but not at a rate which would erode the efficiency of the judiciary, with a resultant loss of trust in the judiciary. 
• In this respect you are reminded of the Latin words: Festina lente.

Madame Speaker,

I now wish to say something in Zulu.

“Jaji Elikhulu. Sikufisela izilokotho ezinhle. Siyakwethemba. Uhambe kahle!” 
English:Chief Justice, we wish you well. We have confidence in you. We trust you. Go well!”

Phonetic:

“Djaadjie êlliekoeloe.
Siekoefiesêla eazylôkôtô êzienklê. Sieja kwêtêmba. Oehambê ghahlê.

Madame Speaker,

I now wish to say something in Sotho so that the Moja-transporotos can also understand.

“Moahlodi e Moholo. Re ho lakalêtsa mahlohonolo. Re motlotlo ka wena. Re o tshepile. Tsamaya hantle!”

English: “Chief Justice, we wish you well. We have confidence in you. We trust you. Go well!”

Phonetic:

“Moeathloedie ê mohoeloe. Re go lakalêtsa maglôgônôlô. Re motloetloe ka wêna. Re go tsêpielê. Tsamaya hantle.”

Agbare Hoofregter,

Dit doen my ou Boerehart goed om ook met u in Afrikaans te praat. Ons wens u alles van die beste toe. Ons vertrou u. Ons staan by u.

Ek sluit af met ‘n Afrikaanse versie wat ons uit die Nederlands geërf het en ek dra dit aan u op:

“Gee my ‘n man wat doen
wat reg is
as die regter weg is.
Wat sê wat waar is
as die duiwel daar is.
En wat trou by sy gewete bly
as hy straf in plaas van beloning kry.”