PREMIER'S REMARKS
Chairperson,
Ladies and gentlemen
We are gathered here today to pay homage to a true patriot!
We are gathered here to say farewell to Comrade Ché and to thank him for a job well done!
I am speaking on behalf of all of us today when I say how very sad we are to say Goodbye to our Comrade, our Commander and our colleague.
We know that it is even more difficult for Ché to leave this province, but we are proud that the army recognised the leadership qualities in someone so close to us.
Comrade Ché, when you left the comfort of your home in Middelburg in the 70's, you did so because of your deep-seated love for your people.
You set off to the arid plains of Libya and endured the bitter winter in the then Soviet Union, not for personal glory, but because, as a true South African you could not bear to see your people being treated as a species less than human under a deplorable system that sought to humiliate, denigrate and strip them of their dignity.
You chose to march in front when comfort was in the midst of the ranks
When you commanded those camps in Angola – as second in command to Chris Hani, it was not because of ambition. It was because of a proven track record as a true fighter following in the footsteps our heroes. Bambata, Sekhukhuni, Shaka, Hintsa and Nyabela.
You have walked along the road of the heroes. I am sure it did not come as a surprise when you were appointed front commander in Botswana, a task you performed with distinction.
You have been where you should not have been. You have faced death and said - do your worst!
When you finally returned home and accepted deployment to the portals of power in this province, it was a continuation of selfless dedication to your people, your country and your organisation the African National Congress.
You remained loyal to the ANC because you are committed to the eradication of poverty. You could not bear to see the suffering of the rural masses and the blight of the squatter camps that surround our towns and cities.
Comrade Ché, you remained loyal to the ANC because you are sworn enemies of the crimes that are being committed against women and children by people who are little more than animals.
You remained loyal to the ANC because your only purpose is to serve the people of South Africa. Many thanks Ché for what you have done for us and for our people.
And now you leave this hallowed place to continue to march in front of a different detachment of the same army of the sun.
You leave us here not because you have to stop. You leave us here because you have to start again.
You ran the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environmental Affairs with distinction in the last four months you served in my provincial cabinet.
I must admit that you showed exceptionally good leadership qualities. You could think on your feet.
You did well in amalgamating the sections of Agriculture and those of Conservation and Environment. I like your political sobriety, your political soberness more.
Farewell Comrade Ché. Your political home remains here in Middelburg where I was born. Comrade Ché, we wish you the best in your new career. We believe that you will execute your duties with the same dedication and distinction you displayed while MEC in this province. After a long walk, we, like you, have arrived at the starting point of a new journey. The journey of finding a replacement for you, Comrade Ché, has just begun.
After extensive consultation within the ANC and our Alliance partners, I am proud to announce that… will be our new MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environmental Affairs. I trust that you will give ….. all the support in the interest of working for a better life for all.
Comrade ……. Please us in building a united society. To build a province free of corruption. A province where there is no theft.
A province where careerism will be a thing of the past.
A province free of opportunism and factionalism.
A province where the needs and aspirations of our people count above everything else.
I know you will do that. I have confidence in you to live up to the calling of you office.
Thank You.