National Assembly : 19 February 2009

Madame Speaker,
 

On behalf of the IFP I associate myself with the kind words expressed by previous speakers. Especially saying thank you to all who have played their parts to make a success of our Parliament.

We have these farewell speeches every year. In fact, they are normally not "farewell" speeches, but merely "goodbye" speeches at the end of a year, because we all hope to be back the next year.

But today is a very special occasion, because it is the end of the Third Parliament. This time in fact we say farewell to some of our colleagues who are not returning for the Fourth Parliament after April 22.

To them we in the IFP would like to say no matter which party you represented here,  you served as an honourable member. You all did your best. You served your country with loyalty and dedication.

May you in retirement continue to be of service. You have acquired many outstanding skills here in Parliament, which you should use to continue serving your community.

Madame Speaker,
 

We are now preparing for the elections. In this regard the eyes of the world, and especially Africa, are on us. How are we going to conduct that election?
 

We have had three previous elections: 1994, 1999 and 2004. What have we learned?

I say -

•     We have learned much about democracy.

•     We have learned to respect the will of the people.

•     We have learned to behave ourselves properly in conducting elections.

•     There are of course exceptions, which are expected.

•     Let us therefore not treat the Julius Malemas as the norm, but as the exception.

South Africa has become a democratic model for other African states. Let us keep it that way.

Madame Speaker,

At the end of an era we as colleagues should try for a moment to focus on our successes --- and they were many.

•     Together we have finally proved that this Parliament functions in accordance with international Parliamentary standards.

•     We have a Parliament to be proud of.

•     Our Presiding Officers are executing their duties with great objectivity and dignity.

•     If you will permit me, madam Speaker, I wish to add that the IFP is very proud of the exemplary and dignified manner in which our member, Mister Ben Skosana is fulfilling his duties on the chair.

Yes, there are failures too. But today is not the time to dwell on those.

Save to briefly say that we in the opposition are very unhappy about a few matters, such as -

•     the recall of President Mbeki;

•     the death of the Scorpions;

•     the dismissal of Mr Pikoli and some others.

So now is the time to say farewell to some and goodbye to others.  We in the IFP greet you.

We have a special message to our colleages in the ANC and that is –

•     We will see you on April 22 when we are going to beat the living daylights out of you all at the polls.

•     We are going to teach you some lessons. A lot of lessons!
 

So, we say to you in the ANC -

Ahi thlale panzi e bamba mtheto (2X)

Sengihlêli sengihlêle!