in a poignant tribute to the legacy and memory of the late Ms Emelia Monjowa Lifaka, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, Ms Thoko Didiza, sang the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPA) women’s anthem. Abel Mputing reports.
In her closing remarks for the fourth Emilia Monjowa Lifaka Memorial Lecture on Tuesday evening, the Speaker urged members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to honour the late Ms Lifaka by keeping her principles alive through their work. The Memorial Lecture is part of the programme of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) currently underway in Cape Town.
Ms Didiza told delegates that the occasion should do more than just recall an individual's life and achievements. “This lecture is not merely about memorialising the life of an individual or honouring what she did. It is about keeping her principles alive in what we do,” Speaker Didiza said.
She thanked Mr Marwick Khumalo, a Member of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Eswatini, for reminding delegates who Ms Lifaka was, what she believed and stood for and what she hoped the CPA would become. Ms Lifaka was the first African woman to be elected Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee.
Reflecting on Ms Lifaka’s legacy, the Speaker said it lives on in the continuing work to secure the CPA’s international legal status as an interparliamentary organisation. Ms Didiza acknowledged the CPA Africa Region's contribution to making the Association inclusive. She acknowledged that this was done not only through financial support but also through its ideas, experience and commitment.
She also recognised the work of parliamentary officials, including members of the Society of Clerks-at-the-Table, who had supported the CPA’s leadership behind the scenes, as well as CPA Secretary-General Mr Stephen Twigg for continuing to advance the organisation’s institutional transition.
Speaker Didiza also shared some personal anecdotes to show Ms Lifaka’s warmth and humour. “I must say that we have heard about the serious side of Emilia from (Mr) Marwick (Khumalo), and that is important. But those who interacted with Emilia knew how much she loved fun. She was a jovial person. If she were here, we would all be laughing.” The Speaker recalled a time when Ms Lifaka described a turbulent flight in Central Africa during which she turned to a priest seated beside her and urged him to speak to God so that they would arrive safely.
She also remembered the period before Ms Lifaka’s election as CPA Chairperson in Dhaka, Bangladesh. While colleagues were still calculating whether she had enough votes, Ms Lifaka instructed an official to prepare two speeches – one accepting defeat and another accepting victory. She then rehearsed the different posture she would adopt for each outcome, which left her colleagues in stitches.
Ms Didiza told delegates that behind this humour was also a determined parliamentarian who took her responsibilities seriously and who remained resolute when given a task. “She will remain in our hearts and minds as members of the CPA family,” Ms Didiza said. “We will continue to honour her by doing what she hoped for during her life.”
The 69th CPC programme runs until Friday, 18 September.
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