House of Assembly: Vol14 - FRIDAY 30 JANUARY 1987
Members assembled in the Assembly Chamber at
The Secretary read the following proclamation by the State President, dated 18 December 1986, summoning Parliament to meet today:
By virtue of the powers vested in me by section 38 of the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act, 1983 (Act 110 of 1983), I hereby prorogue Parliament on the twenty-ninth day of January 1987 and declare that the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Republic of South Africa will commence at Cape Town on Friday the thirtieth day of January 1987 for the dispatch of business.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Republic of South Africa at Cape Town this Eighteenth day of December, One thousand Nine hundred and Eighty-six.
P W BOTHA,
State President.
By Order of the State President-in-Cabinet
R F BOTHA,
Minister of the Cabinet.
announced that Mr Speaker had received a Message from the State President whereby he had called, under section 67 of the Constitution, a joint sitting of the House of Assembly, the House of Representatives and the House of Delegates on 30 January 1987 for the purposes of the opening of Parliament.
Business Suspended At 09h05.
Members of Parliament assembled in the Assembly Chamber at 09h30.
The Secretary read a message from the State President calling a joint sitting as follows:
P W BOTHA
State President
By order of the State President-in-Cabinet
R F BOTHA
Minister of the Cabinet
reported that in accordance with established Parliamentary practice he had presented himself to the State President on Wednesday.
Mr Speaker, it is a pleasure for me cordially to welcome you in your new capacity on behalf of the hon members on this side of the House of Assembly. You have made your mark in the House of Assembly and Parliament for a very long period since you were elected as MP for Potchefstroom in 1966. We have no doubts about your being well-equipped for this exceptionally high post to which you have now been elected.
You are academically well-equipped with a BA LLB degree and your experience in legal practice. Few people are aware that in addition to that academic qualification you also have a BA degree in social work. We hope, however, that you will not find it necessary to make use of this knowledge in your new position! [Interjections.]
It is also not general knowledge that shortly prior to your joining the Cabinet, you elected to pursue post-graduate studies on the post Speaker. You were prevented from completing your studies when you were called upon to serve in the Cabinet.
As far as experience is concerned you are equally well-equipped. You were elected an MP in 1966. Since 1975 you have gained wide experience, first as a Deputy Minister in various portfolios and since 1978 as a member of the Cabinet.
These are not your only achievements, however. You have a wide variety of talents. In 1970 you were elected captain of the Junior Springbok shooting team. That is definitely a talent which we hope you will not need in your new post! [Interjections.]
It is, however, thanks to your personal attributes that we believe that you are superbly equipped for this post. We have got to know you as an experienced parliamentarian who always, also in his participation here set great store by the dignity and the traditions of Parliament and who always made a contribution here in a dignified manner.
From this side of the House we want to give you the assurance that you will have our full co-operation to continue to uphold the dignity of this House and of Parliament and good to maintain order. We want to wish you a long and successful term as Speaker. We have no doubt that you will bring great honour to the post. [Interjections.]
Mr Speaker, I was fascinated to listen to the hon the Leader of the House welcoming you to this high office. He has certainly revealed some hidden qualities, talents and qualifications of which he has a more intimate knowledge—especially the shooting! I have no doubt that you will not require that talent in this particular office!
In welcoming you, it would be remiss of us on this side of the House not to pay a tribute to Speaker Greeff.
Hear, hear!
We believe that during the short time he was the Speaker of this House, he occupied that position with dignity and displayed a firmness and a fairness which I think helped considerably in regard to the proceedings of this House.
Whilst we in these benches do not agree with the constitutional procedure laid down for the election of a Speaker, we certainly do respect the office of Speaker. We realise that the Speaker is critically important both in maintaining the dignity of Parliament and in ensuring and protecting the rights of every individual member of Parliament in which we are all equals.
Mr Speaker, you come from a different department. You come from a high profile department which was until recently the centre of political controversy. It is our earnest wish that you will show—as I am sure you will—that you can rise above the partisan controversies in which you have been engaged in the past and that you will show that you can occupy this very high and important position with a firmness and a fairness that will cause you to be considered one of the good Speakers of this Parliament.
You may therefore rely on the support of the Official Opposition in the discharge of your onerous and important duties.
Mr Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives I wish to congratulate you on your election and appointment as Speaker of this Parliament. We are aware of the responsibilities of this high office and of the manner in which it has been filled by those who have occupied it before you. We also certainly endorse what has already said about the leadership given by Mr Greeff. Where you have been elected at adifficult time, with additional responsibilities, we do want to wish you well and assure you of our support in terms of the office you hold.
*We want to assure you, Mr Speaker, of our support in the office that you hold. We shall forget the things of the past and reach towards that which lies ahead. Congratulations.
Mr Speaker, in welcoming you, on behalf of the House of Delegates, I wish to place on record our sincerest congratulations to you on the occasion of your being honoured by being elected as the Speaker of Parliament in an era of greater responsibilities and challenges.
We want to assure you of our wholehearted co-operation in your onerous task of preserving the dignity and decorum of the various Houses of Parliament with complete impartiality and of protecting the rights and privileges of all hon members. We wish to give you our full co-operation, Mr Speaker, because in the office with which you have now been entrusted you also have the continuing responsibility of maintaining law and order. We wish you well.
Mr Speaker, on behalf of this side of the House, I should like to convey my sincere congratulations to you. I should like to associate myself with the motion of the hon the Leader of the House and all the good wishes expressed here.
We are convinced that you are equipped for this task. You are capable and have gained good experience in the past. You are following in the footsteps of an extremely capable former Speaker, Mr Greeff, and, with the hon the Leader of the Official Opposition, I should like to pay tribute to him.
This side of the House assures you of our sincere co-operation. We know that a Speaker needs a great deal of patience in this House and elsewhere, but we trust that you will not need the full extent of your patience to keep this side of the House in check. We give you our sincere co-operation.
Mr Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to wish you well in your new office. It is not for me to tell you what your responsibilities are—a tradition has been set—and I am convinced that you will follow that tradition to the best of your ability.
Furthermore, Mr Speaker, we are going forward into challenging times. We shall also have your presence in our House, and I assure you that we shall conduct ourselves with dignity and decorum which, I think, is an essential requirement despite the fact that we have the freedom to differ and disagree.
Mr Speaker, I wish to associate the NRP with the remarks of all the previous speakers. We particularly wish to associate ourselves with the good wishes and thanks to your predecessor. We also wish to assure you of our full and unquestioned support in your onerous task as Speaker.
To you personally I wish to say that we have travelled a long way together, and I am certain that you will carry out this task with dignity and with all the ability that you have. We shall co-operate with you in every possible way. Hon members of this House owe this to your high office and out of respect for the Chair.
Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Progressive Reform Party I wish to associate myself with the comments made by hon members [Interjections.]. I do not have the slightest doubt that what Hayek referred to as “the mantle of impartiality” has already descended upon your shoulders. We look forward to continuing to work in this Parliament in a constructive manner.
Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Official Opposition in the House of Representatives I am very happy to be able to endorse the sentiments expressed by hon members. I want to assure you that my party and I have the fullest confidence in your ability to carry out the duties assigned to you in the difficult times ahead. We are going to need the strong leadership and the impartiality which you have displayed in the past. We express the hope today that you will remain the man that you were in the past.
Mr Speaker, I, too, should like to associate myself with the very fine things said here about you. Nothing was exaggerated. Parties such as the HNP, which do not have as many members as certain other parties in Parliament, are particularly dependent on your rulings. We have absolutely no doubt that we shall be able to put forward our standpoints here, and that you will ensure that each one is given fair treatment.
Hon members of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, it is a very great honour for me to be elected to the office of Speaker of Parliament. At the same time there is in me a sincere humility owing to the fact that the electoral college had enough confidence to elect me to this demanding office.
As Speaker I am expected, by my actions and my example, by what I say and what I do, to ensure that proper order is maintained in Parliament, and I shall confidently endeavour to make the words of the Scriptures in Colossians 4 verse 6 a part of me:
Paul also writes in 1 Corinthians 14 verse 40 that everything should be done decently and in order, and bearing this in mind I shall carry out my official duties whilst faithfully maintaining the principles of justice to all.
In the past the office of Speaker has always been filled with great distinction. It is not possible to single out previous Speakers, but it is owing to their joint contributions that we have a rich parliamentary tradition.
Permit me to refer to my immediate predecessor, Speaker Greeff. If one has to single out one all-prevailing characteristic of the task of a Speaker, it is undoubtedly the necessity, in all circumstances, of acting with the utmost impartiality and fairness. The impeccable example of my predecessor, as far as this is concerned, will always serve me as an example, and I shall do my level best to pursue the same high standard.
†It was the well-known British political author, Walter Bagehot, who in the previous century described a parliament as “a meeting of more or less idle people”. However, speaking from my more than twenty years’ experience in Parliament, I feel entitled to differ from that distinguished writer as far as the South African Parliament is concerned. With their present workload, the hon members of the South African Parliament are definitely not “more or less idle people”. I can only trust that this fact will make my task as Speaker so much easier.
*Freedom of speech is a subject enjoying great prominence in South Africa these days, particularly in the Press. The South African Parliament is proud of the fact that freedom of speech is one of its absolute privileges.
As Speaker I shall jealously maintain this parliamentary privilege within the ambit of the rules of Parliament. So if I request hon members, on occasion, to refrain from pursuing a certain aspect of a debate, or perhaps to resume their seats, in all likelihood it will not be a case of wanting to curtail their freedom of speech, but rather because hon members have not had due regard to the rules.
Clement Attlee, a former British Prime Minister, did in fact have the following to say on this matter, and I quote:
†Hon members may rest assured that I do not see myself as having the right to stop people talking. However, it is my responsibility to see to it that debating takes place in an orderly manner and according to the rules. To achieve this I rely on the co-operation of all hon members. I trust that the following quotation will be of assistance to all of us, namely:
May I once again thank all hon members for the trust placed in me and for the kind words expressed on my election.
Business Suspended At 09h52 and Resumed At 11h00.
Mr Speaker read Prayers.
*Mr Speaker, Members of Parliament.
At the opening of this session of Parliament, South Africa finds itself in a period of challenge and decision. It is a year in which sides will have to be taken.
South Africa’s relations with the rest of the world are going through a testing phase. This is not of recent origin.
Today, we are witnessing an accumulation of historical forces and events that have been gaining momentum, especially since the end of the Second World War.
This was already starkly evident long before the National Party came to power.
Even the internationally-acclaimed United Party Prime Minister of South Africa, General Jan Smuts, had cause to complain bitterly about the prejudice, abuse and dishonesty South Africa had to endure at the hands of cynical and sanctimonious antagonists abroad. That was in 1946.
Since then there has been an intensification of this campaign of collusion and hypocrisy to create distorted perceptions.
In 1986, our international position was characterised increasingly by intensified pressures and punitive actions against our country. Undisguised attempts at interference in our domestic affairs reached unprecedented proportions.
This sad reflection on the conscience of a troubled world is both disturbing and ironical—especially since it came about while we were proceeding apace with our programme of reform and renewal and had made significant progress in removing discrimination.
This unfortunate state of affairs should prove beyond doubt that the campaign against us has very little to do with peace, freedom and reform.
No foreign nation or the United Nations or any other international organisation has the slightest right whatsoever to meddle in the domestic affairs of South Africa.
It is a principle of international law and conduct that no self-respecting, sovereign country should be subservient to any other.
I am sure that all responsible South Africans are united in claiming this legitimate right for ourselves and in rejecting unwarranted foreign interference and prescription.
While noting this regrettable trend of international interference and regardless of the motives behind it, we shall have to reconsider both the content and direction of our foreign relations.
Ultimately, it is not to our advantage to become isolated from the international community. Therefore the Government will continue to conduct the Republic’s foreign relations in accordance with our own national interests and those of our region.
The Republic is part of Africa in more than the purely geographical sense.
We recognise the interdependence of the countries and peoples of our sub-continent. Consequently, we shall continue to co-operate with them in the development of the whole region.
At the same time, the Government will not permit the people of South Africa to be threatened by those committed to violence and insurrection. Such elements are able to survive only if they receive support from abroad and are granted sanctuary and right of passage by countries in our region.
The South African security forces will leave no stone unturned in their endeavours to defend our country and its people. Every nation has the right to defend itself. We claim the same right.
However, in conditions of conflict, there is no hope of overcoming the difficulties we all face in developing our countries.
Clearly, the leaders of all the countries of Southern Africa need to come together.
Let us put aside our differences in the interests of our peoples and their well-being.
Let us devote our time and energy to ensure the stability, security and progress of our region as a whole.
It is a duty we dare not shirk.
The continuing unrest and violence in some of the Black residential areas remained the cause of unnecessary suffering and loss of life in 1986. We deeply regret every drop of blood spilt as a result of political violence.
Although the internal security situation improved initially, the unrest began to assume more serious proportions towards the middle of 1986.
Consequently, the Government was obliged to impose a nation-wide state of emergency. The correctness of this course of action has been substantiated by the decline in the occurrence of incidents of unrest since then. The revolutionary climate, however, necessitates the continued maintenance of these measures of control.
On both sides of the political spectrum there are people who have a simplistic view of the causes of the unrest situation and the means of dealing with it.
On the one hand there are those who say the Government and its policies are the cause of the violence.
On the other hand there are those who see violence merely as the work of a few instigators.
From ANC documents recently obtained by the Government, it appears beyond doubt that the ANC/Communist alliance is endeavouring to incite the Black communities, not only against one another, but also against the Whites in South Africa. It is evident that the ANC/Communist alliance is encouraging racial violence—even though it could lead to bloodshed on a large scale. This terrorist savagery must be resisted.
The point of view that a paradise on earth can be achieved by violent revolution is nothing but a dangerous and totally naive dream. Those who wish to destroy the existing orderly system have not as yet come up with an answer that could provide South Africa with an improved dispensation.
It is impossible to create an ideal society overnight, especially not one as complex as South Africa.
Nobody should be misled by the fine phrases with which the ANC/Communist Party alliance has been seeking recognition and respectability at home and abroad in recent times. Discussions with the ANC are possible only if it severs its ties with and terminates its subservience to the Communist Party; abandons violence; and participates, as peaceful South African citizens, in constitutional processes in South Africa.
I am convinced that the vast majority of South Africans of all groups are basically peace-loving people with a sense of justice.
At the same time I must warn those who have committed themselves irrevocably to the violent overthrow of the State and the disruption of society, that the Government will not for a moment hesitate to act decisively against them.
The Government would like to lift the state of emergency, but will maintain its basic responsibility to purposely uphold law and order at all times.
Although the South African economy faced new challenges in 1986, there were also several encouraging developments.
While the moderate economic recovery which began in the middle of 1985 was interrupted in the first quarter of 1986, it resumed in the last three quarters of the year.
The revival of domestic expenditure by the private sector was indicative of returning business and consumer confidence.
Supported by appropriate monetary and fiscal policy and sustained export efforts, large surpluses on the current account of the balance of payments were achieved and maintained.
Consequently the private and public sectors could continue to substantially reduce their foreign commitments.
An estimated nine thousand million rand was utilised in settlement of trade and bank credits, repayment of an IMF loan and other foreign liabilities.
This is indeed a remarkable achievement, especially since our economy is going through a period of drastic adjustment caused by various internal and external circumstances, among which the debt standstill. This achievement is even more remarkable when measured against comparable countries.
South Africa’s gold and foreign reserves increased from April 1986 onwards while the rand showed greater stability. The rand appreciated gradually against the American dollar and in the recent past, also against other major currencies.
*The recent good rains appreciably improved the prospects of many farmers in the summer rainfall areas. This brought widespread relief from one of the worst droughts in the history of our country, and we hope that in those parts in which there has been no relief, better conditions will prevail during the next few months.
As in the past, the Government remains involved with large-scale agricultural aid in various ways. The Government is at present giving urgent attention to a report on the restructuring of agriculture prepared by the Economic Advisory Council of the State President.
Naturally, the Government has particular sympathy with the circumstances of the workers in this time of unemployment. That is why a special job creation and training programme was introduced. For this purpose, the Government allocated R450 million during the current financial year. By the end of September 1986, about a quarter of a million unemployed had been placed in employment as a result of this programme and by 31 March this year more than half a million should have been trained.
A White Paper containing the Government’s viewpoints on the recommendations in the joint report of the Human Sciences Research Council and the National Training Board on the Training of Artisans in South Africa, will soon be tabled.
Inflation remains a serious problem. Several factors, including the stronger performance of the rand, should eventually contribute to a decline in the rate of inflation. This in itself, however will not solve the problem. What is also required is increased competition, higher productivity and restraint with regard to wage and price increases. In this regard I trust that we will rise above party-political interests, since it is a matter of serious concern for every citizen of this country.
As a result of the moderate recovery in the economy, a positive real growth rate is anticipated.
As far as its longer term economic policy, including privatisation and deregulation, is concerned, the Government will take due cognisance of the broad principles set out recently in the Economic Advisory Council’s proposed framework for a long-term economic strategy.
In the social field, problems and development activities will continue to be given priority.
Good progress has already been made. For example, during the current financial year, the Government has allocated an amount of R1 000 million for housing and community amenities for all communities. This is by far the largest amount ever allocated in a single year for this purpose in the history of South Africa.
Nevertheless, it is necessary that the private sector becomes more involved in the provision of low-cost housing. Consequently, a Housing Trust, financed jointly by the Government and the private sector, was announced in November last year.
For this purpose, the Government has made available an additional amount of R400 million.
Orderly urbanisation, as part of a comprehensive development strategy, is one of the most important issues receiving the State’s attention.
The Government’s policy was enunciated clearly in the White Paper on Urbanisation which was adopted last year. Since then influx control has been abolished.
In the field of education important developments took place over the past year.
In all, an amount of R6 000 million was budgeted for educational affairs of all communities in the current financial year.
Against the background of the Government’s commitment to equal educational opportunities for all, it is deplorable that education in the Black communities, in particular, is being abused by radical groups for political purposes.
Effective, meaningful education is possible only if politics are excluded from it and parents are positively realising their rightful involvement as partners in the education of their children.
Together with ongoing development in the social and economic fields, constitutional reform will continue to enjoy high priority.
It is regrettable that the misconception is often created that little meaningful progress is being made with constitutional development.
This is not only unfair, but is done without adequate reference to objective criteria. It moreover reflects a short-sighted expediency which definitely does not serve the highest interests of South Africa.
Without any doubt, the basis of democratic government has been expanded remarkably since colonialism disappeared from South Africa.
This is substantiated by the degree to which the Coloured, Asian and Black communities are already participating in elected structures at the different levels of government. It is also evident from the existence of a large variety of political parties in the respective population communities.
The new constitutional dispensation was a significant step forward in this process.
It is the Government’s declared intention that further expansion of our democratic base should be purposely pursued. In particular the constitutional position of our various Black communities has in the past, and will in future, receive the special attention of the Government.
I have repeatedly and comprehensively enunciated the Government’s framework for further constitutional development.
I wish to underline it briefly again. The Government believes that any constitutional dispensation for our multi-cultural society must, at all levels of Government, meet the requirements of protection and self-determination for minority groups; power-sharing among the groups in respect of matters of common interest; and the prevention of domination by any group of the others.
Then I refer to the protection of minority groups, I also have in mind Black minority groups with their own languages, ways of life and traditions.
The demand is often made here and abroad that South Africa should adopt a so-called one-man-one-vote non-racial democracy.
In our circumstances, this demand cannot lead to a just dispensation in a multi-cultural society.
Rapid reform in South Africa is hampered by many factors in international politics.
These include the following:
- — Misuse of the word and concept of “democracy” in naming and promoting Marxist dictatorships
- — Elected, multi-party democracies are decreasing because they are being threatened and subverted by these “sham democracies”;
- — Democratic countries are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain democratic principles and liberties, because of the abuse of those liberties in the unhampered pursuit of revolutionary goals.
South Africa’s progress with constitutional adjustments and processes is not as slow as the progress made in the past by certain countries which now wish to prescribe to us.
This is the background against which the Republic has to continue the process of constitutional development. We shall not permit ourselves to be prescribed to in this regard. We shall not do it irresponsibly and hastily. We shall seek and find our own solutions here, in our own way, through our own dedication, knowledge and experience.
This will also have to be the result of consultation and negotiation among concerned groups and parties which truly believe in democracy and reject violence as a political instrument.
To give effect to these aims, a wide variety of steps at all levels of government have been in the process of planning and implementation for some time.
- — At the local government level the Co-ordinating Council for Local Authorities continues to serve as an instrument through which the representatives of all the respective groups have the opportunity to promote the interests of the communities concerned.
- — At the regional level good progress has been made with the arrangements for the institution of Regional Services Councils.
- — At the provincial level the new system has already given a say to all population communities.
- — Statutory provision has also been made for the establishment of joint executive bodies between the provincial authorities and the self-governing territories.
- — Consideration is also being given to possible changes to the composition and functions of the President’s Council.
Each of these steps represents the broadening of the democratic base and/or the extension and improvement of participation, and confirms the principle of co-operation in respect of matters of common concern.
- — Regarding the participation of all groups at the level of central government, comprehensive negotiations have been conducted in recent years.
- — A Bill proposing a National Council was published last year. This proposed council could be the precursor of a Council of State, as has already been envisaged. Such a joint Council of State could consist of leaders and other representatives of all groups and communities who could participate in the formulation of policy on the basis of consensus decision-making on matters of common interest. The establishment of the Council of State, which would enjoy statutory status and recognition and in which real accountability would be possible, will be further intensively investigated and negotiated.
Overall constitutional and political progress, however, is only part of the way to a secure and prosperous future.
A Constitution merely reflects a community’s political and social culture and all the underlying values, norms and principles. They cannot be created by a constitution.
In order to create the circumstances in which constitutional reform may flourish, constitutional development in the Republic of South Africa will have to be accompanied by other processes as well.
One of the most important preconditions for continued and orderly development is the maintenance of peaceful and stable communities.
This presupposes ownership of land and freehold right, and with it the right to an own community life through which cultural expression, for example by means of social and educational institutions, may be community orientated as far as possible.
There is another matter to which I wish to refer briefly. It is the Natal/KwaZulu Indaba which took place at the joint initiative of the KwaZulu Government and the Natal Provincial Council.
The Government’s point of view on it is determined by the following factors:
- 1. Firstly, it is Government policy that consultation and negotiation on matters of common concern should take place among the various population communities at all levels of government.
- 2. Secondly, there is no objection to the establishment by the governments of self-governing states and neighbouring provincial authorities in Natal as elsewhere, of joint executive authorities to deal with matters of common interest as agreed upon. Enabling legislation for this purpose was already adopted by Parliament last year.
- 3. Thirdly, such consultation and negotiation must take place on the premise that a suitable constitutional dispensation for the Republic must meet the requirements at every level of government, of protection and self-determination of minority groups, power-sharing among groups in respect of common affairs and the prevention of domination by any group of the others.
Finality on constitutional structures is achievable only if authorised representatives of all groups and communities who reject violence as a political instrument, come together in a national institution which enjoys statutory recognised status, and in which real accountability can exist.
Public accountability is only possible if political parties are periodically granted the opportunity to put their policy and viewpoints to the voters.
A considerable period has passed since the previous general election for the House of Assembly.
A democratic government must from time to time go to the country, and provide those who elect it the opportunity for decision.
Since the time of the previous election and the referendum, a large number of new voters have been added to our voters’ roll. They are mostly young people who have the right to participate in decisions about the future.
Although I have the right to dissolve Parliament under the Constitution, I have decided, after consultation with the three Ministers’ Councils, to dissolve only the House of Assembly at this stage.
The White voters of our country have during the past 40 years given their approval to many steps of renewal and constitutional development. I believe that with regard to our country’s security, its economic and constitutional development, they will again decide with great responsibility.
South Africa must stand united against the spirit of revolution incited against us from abroad.
South Africa must unite against uncalled for and unwarranted interference in our domestic affairs.
South Africa must stand united to strengthen its economy through higher productivity, job creation and thrift to the advantage of all, and this must be done in the spirit of South Africa First.
South Africa must think and act like a living organism in order to build a democratic and stable constitutional future through consultation and the elimination of violence.
Information with regard to further steps on how to make progress in this regard will be submitted by me to the voters’ public.
The Proclamation date for the election will be promulgated on Saturday, 7 March.
The official nomination of candidates will take place on Tuesday, 31 March.
The election will take place on Wednesday, 6 May.
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may guide and sustain you in your labours and deliberations.
I now declare this Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Republic of South Africa duly opened.
The Joint Sitting rose at 11h31.
Business Resumed At 11h49.
informed the House that Mr Speaker had reported to him that he had received a copy of the State President’s Opening Address delivered at the Joint Sitting, which would be printed in the Minutes of the Joint Sitting.
Mr Chairman, I move without notice:
Mr Chairman, the late Mr Schoeman was one of the longest serving members of this House and left his mark here during the course of many years. We remember him particularly as the chief spokesman on transport matters for many years. He always made a positive contribution in his sonorous voice, particularly in regard to this subject in which he specialised. He was one of the particularly dignified members of this House, who also maintained the traditions of this House with great dedication. You will also recall how he was one of the members who always continued the tradition of wearing a hat on the last day of the session.
We on this side of the House want to convey our deepest sympathy to his wife and family and commend them to God’s comfort.
Mr Chairman, on behalf of the Official Opposition I should like to associate myself with the motion proposed by the hon Leader of the House and also with the tenor and spirit of his comments regarding our late colleague.
Yes, Hans Schoeman left an indelible mark on South African politics. Even before coming to this House, he was a student politician at the University of the Orange Free State. I came to know him when we arrived here together in 1958. He was a friendly man by nature but also of firm political convictions. In spite of his physical infirmity of recent years, he fulfilled his obligations to his voters and his party conscientiously. On behalf of this side of the House we should therefore like to convey our deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
On behalf of this side of the House, I should like to associate myself with the motion as proposed by the Leader of the House. It goes without saying that we on this side of the House think and speak about the late Mr Hans Schoeman with an exceptional feeling of loss but also of appreciation. He was exceptionally active in the cultural sphere, especially for the Afrikaner community, but in such a way and with such an attitude that he not only elicited the appreciation of his own people but he was also respected and revered beyond his own cultural community. We were exceptionally honoured that a man of the stature, personality and presence of a Hans Schoeman could have been a member of this party. I believe one may claim without fear of contradiction, however, that even under the new dispensation in which he found himself in this party his actions were such that he retained the respect and appreciation of other parties. Hans Schoeman’s personality will remain with one; once seen, he was never forgotten. He was a fiery debater, a man with eyes and heart afire, but also one with a friendly personality. We shall miss him. He was a valued friend. I was privileged to share his bench for a short while. We should like to associate ourselves with the expression of sympathy toward his wife and children.
Mr Chairman, I wish to associate the NRP with the motion and also with the words which have been spoken about our late colleague.
*For many years I served under the chairmanship of our late friend on the Select Committee on Railways and Harbours. There I got to know him very well as a friend and as a colleague. I think he was in Parliament for approximately 27 years. He was 70 years old. He has passed away now but the memories he left behind will be pleasant memories.
†I think we all regarded him as a friendly person, as someone who was never spiteful and who always tried to observe the traditions and pattern of this Parliament. We would like to associate ourselves with the motion of condolence and express our sympathies to his wife and family. We who served with him all those years will remember him.
Motion agreed to unanimously, all the members standing.
laid upon the Table:
- (1) Constitution Amendment Bill [B 36— 87 (GA)]—(Standing Committee on Constitutional Development and Planning).
- (2) Parliamentary and Provincial Medical Aid Scheme Amendment Bill [B 37— 87 (GA)]—(Standing Committee on National Health and Population Development).
Mr Chairman, with your permission I should like to make the following statement about the business of the House:
I should like to add that it is hoped that with everyone’s co-operation we shall succeed in concluding the business of this session by the end of February.
Mr Chairman, I move:
Agreed to.
The House adjourned at