Your Worship, the Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis
Members of the Mayoral Committee
Distinguished guests
Our Heroic teams of City firefighters and families
I stand here as a very proud South African to be living in the same country as this team of compatriots that constituted the formidable team of firefighters that battled the unfortunate inferno that engulfed our Parliament over the past few days.
On Sunday morning our country literally woke up to a dark cloud hovering over the horizon. An incident so devastating for our country’s democracy left us almost paralysed and truly saddened. The institution of Parliament, the symbol of our unity and freedom, was on fire.
For many South Africans, the response to this incident could only have been one of shock. As the leadership, we could only be contemplating, planning, communicating and observing.
The real task for action to fight the fire, however, was left to these members of the fire department, the first responders, who jumped into the danger to avert even bigger devastation.
In the past few days, you showed South Africans the real size of your hearts. On behalf of our Parliament leadership, our Head of State, and the nation, we thank you. Not only do we thank you for your bravery, but for your love of your country that led you to even answer to this calling in the first place.
We had been standing around you on the ground, confident only in your abilities and our prayers that you succeed to protect us all and salvage our democracy.
We also want to thank your families for accepting that they share both you and your love for them, with the nation.
The blaze is now down and extinguished, but our gratitude to you is eternal. We want to thank the governance structures of the city under the Mayor, and the commanders of the Fire Brigade for the sterling leadership you have given and for coordinating between us.
May the good Lord always bless and reward all our women and men who truly offer themselves to serve our people in the same selfless manner that you demonstrated this week.
The nation is truly appreciative.
Thank you
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
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