We are about to conduct the public hearings on 17 and 18 October on the Bills before the Portfolio Committee of Public Service and Administration. Hon Christopher Howard Sibisi sent a message of apology to the committee's WhatsApp group informing us that he was consulting the medical practitioner at the hospital on 17 October. Being the free spirit that he was, he made what he was going through look so mundane. In hindsight, we realized that he was saying his goodbye, so we do not get shocked when we hear the news of his departure. He absorbed our shock by making it look so easy. This was the orientation of his spirit and intentions. Even in the committee work he took things with a lot of understanding that the person is the same being in the world, which is the philosophy by Martin Heidegger, the German existentialist philosopher. Hon Sibisi existed in community with us, as colleagues, in the portfolio committee. Political differences did not make him an enemy, but he was an opponent who conducted himself within the decorum of Parliament. He will differ with politeness and respect.

He fully understood that in politics the difference can be ideological, but issues we grapple with, concerning the people we represent, are immaterial to the society, in as much as political representation is different. He understood that when there is no peculiarity in issues there must be a common approach to work together to achieve a common good. That is what we admired about him. He served on the three committees in the NA, being our portfolio committee member on sports, basic education, and others.

He will not participate frequently within us, but when he did, he made it meaningful. He would always serve on the subcommittee to recruit and recommend National Commissioners of the Public Service Commission. When we have agreed on a principle,he would not want us to go back on it. However, he would hint without making anyone feel less than. He would respect the decorum of the meeting. He never did things or conducted himself with showmanship and political expediency. To him, it was always about the constituency we represent and the common problems they face as communities and society. Not as particular group of people. We will surely miss his integrity, to serve. He respected all of us and focused on issues to be addressed by all of us as collective, not poking hole where they were none.

To the members of his family, especially his wife, Mantombela and the children, we say to them...

#### IsiXhosa :

... lalani ngenxeba, siyayazi ukuba kukrakra njengenyongo. Ngelishwa ke, aninakulunika omnye umntu usizi lwenu. Thuthuzelekani kuba nathi sinithwalisile intlungu yenu.

#### English :

Whenever you reminisce about him, be reminded of his natural smile and laughter as well as his seriousness when issues have to be dealt with. Have that heart and try to tackle issues like he would you were around. Be reminded of all these sweet words from his colleagues today that he was still the same person he was with you, even when you were not looking. With these words, I thank the family for loaning us his service to the nation.

We know that being a public representative also impacts quality family time. To his political home, the NFP, where he was its NEC member and the former Acting Secretary General, we say also remember him for what he did for your organization to represent you within the society and in this August house. Take the baton he held dearly to his heart and run with it to finish the course he has started. Thank you very much.

Question put. Motion agreed to.