MOTION ON THE PASSING OF THE FORMER MP AND AND DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, PROFESSOR HLENGIWE BUHLE MKHIZE
Draft resolution (Chief Whip of the Majority Party): That the House -
(1) notes with deep sadness the passing of African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Professor Hlengiwe Buhle Mkhize on 16 September 2021;
(2) acknowledges that her untimely passing has robbed us all of a selfless patriot, a well-rounded cadre, an experienced global citizen with vast experience in civil society struggles, and a passionate defender of human rights with a commitment to improving the quality of life especially for women, children and persons with disabilities;
(3) further acknowledges that Professor Mkhize became a Member of Parliament in 2009 and was appointed as Deputy Minister of Correctional Services between May 2009 to June 2012;
(4) remembers that she served in Parliament as a member of the Portfolio Committees of Basic Education and International Relations and Co-operation and served as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications;
(5) recognises that her illustrious career also saw her occupying the positions of:
i. Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training from October 2010 until June 2012;
ii. Deputy Minister of Economic Development from June 2012 until April 2014;
iii. Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services from May 2014 until March 2017;
iv. Minister of Home Affairs from March 2017 until October 2017; and
v. Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training from October 2017 to February 2018;
(6) further recognises that before coming to Parliament, Professor Mkhize was the Ambassador of South Africa in the Netherlands from 2005 until 2009 where she played a critical role as the Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons;
(7) recalls that she also played a critical role in the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission where she served as a Commissioner and Chairperson of the Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee from 1998 to 2003;
(8) further recalls that Professor Mkhize worked at the University of Natal with detainees and offered trauma counselling to political survivors;
(9) realises that she was a formidable leader who served with courage, dignity and respect; and
(10) conveys its heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends and the ANC.
