South Africa: Parliament Holds Memorial Service for Secretary to Parliament

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The death of Mr Michael "Mike" Coetzee has abruptly brought two conflicting realities before the fifth Parliament - celebrating 20 years of a democratic Parliament and mourning the passing of its Secretary. These were the words of the former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Frene Ginwala, during a memorial service for Mr Coetzee held at St Georges Cathedral in Cape Town today.

Dr Ginwala told members of Coetzee family, Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials that Mr Coetzee had been a "true comrade" who had humbly refused to come to Parliament to fill the post of Secretary when he was asked to do so towards the end of the first Parliament. "He declined on the grounds that he was not qualified," Dr Ginwala explained.

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