Members of the National Assembly yesterday paid tribute to National Freedom Party MP Mr. Mzwakhe Sibisi, who recently died following a short illness at the age of 50. Speakers admired his determination to rise above party politics in the interest of a better South Africa for all and extended sincere condolences to his grieving family.
The leader of the National Freedom Party, Mr. Ahmed Shaik Emam, reminded the MPs gathered yesterday of Mr. Sibisi’s passion for education and his vocation to serve, which pushed him to enter politics and become MP in 2019. “Mr. Sibisi studied for a bachelor’s degree in political science. Education and became a director before joining the National Freedom Party in 2002,” he explained.
Mr Emam remembers Mr Sibisi as a dedicated and committed MP to his constituency and to all the people of South Africa. He was also a caring father, caring for both his immediate family and other loved ones. Mr Emam called on Mr Sibisi’s children to follow in his footsteps, “to ensure his legacy lives on”.
Dr Mimmy Gondwe of the Democratic Alliance affirmed Mr Sibisi’s commitment to service by reminding his audience that even when Mr Sibisi was about to be admitted to the hospital, he took the time to sent WhatsApp to his colleagues on the Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee to inform them that he would not be able to join the committee due to his impending admission to hospital. “His apology is a testament to his character. We actually felt his absence and his strong participation in the deliberations of the commissions,” she said.
Ms. Rosina Komane (Economic Freedom Fighters) recalled Mr. Sibisi’s love for his family, which was evident to all his colleagues. “He was a husband, a father, a brother who loved his family so much that he would stop at nothing to protect them,” she said.
These characteristics were further celebrated by Ms. Heloise Denner of the Freedom Front Plus. She remembered Mr. Sibisi as always polite and kind to others. He was also gentle and respectable. “He left a positive impression on me as a human being and a colleague. May his soul rest in peace,” she said.
Mr Nsikiezwe Cebekhulu of the Inkatha Freedom Party remembers Mr Sibisi for his patriotism and willingness to serve the people. He recalled that Mr. Sibisi was entirely devoted to his cause and to the South African people.
Ms Marie Sukers of the African Christian Democratic Party turned to scripture to ease the grief of Mr Sibisi’s family members. “May you receive grace as you walk this path of loss and sorrow. And there is only one consolation; it is Christ. It must remain your cornerstone that will hold you firm through this storm,” she insisted.
Her family also heard Ms Thandiswa Marawu (Africa Transformation Movement) say that she may have lost a father and a brother, but Parliament had lost a strong soldier and leader, a man who loved his family as he loved the people of this country. “For the family, your loss is also ours,” Ms Marawu said.
This sentiment was echoed by Ms Teliswa Mgweba of the African National Congress, who concluded the proceedings by saying: “Today we pay our respects to a patriot. Our political differences have not made him an enemy. As an opponent, he would politely deviate from a given political position. Indeed, Mr Sibisi understood that political parties may have ideological differences, but that the problems facing South Africans are “material”, explained Ms Mgweba, and require people to rise above them. political ideologies of the parties.
Abel Mputing
November 8, 2023
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