MOTION WITHOUT NOTICE

BY PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP

PRESIDENT OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: 26th August 2009

I move without notice that the House notes with sadness that Senator Ted Kennedy has passed away -

(1)   notes Senator Kennedy, who many in this House were proud to call  a friend, cared deeply for this country and took up the liberation cause with aplomb and distinction in the American corridors of power and across the free world;

(2)   further notes that Senator Kennedy gave expression to the liberal  democratic credo, which transcends any political party, that all humans are made in the image of God, and that a 'tolerance of others', a 'generosity of spirit' and a 'love of freedom' are the cornerstones of the civilized society;

(3)   recognises that because he knew, to borrow the elegant words of  his late brother President John F. Kennedy, 'the midnight as well as the high noon, because he understood the ordeal as well as the triumph of the human spirit', he gave people in South Africa, as well as the people of the United States, and many others across the world, strength with which to overcome despair; and

(4)   holds true that as the last journey of this faithful pilgrim took  him beyond the sunset, and as heaven's morning broke, Senator Kennedy has left us a legacy of social justice to guide us as we continue to toil in the twilight.