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Introduction -

• I like to see my past 17 years in Parliament against the backdrop of my role in the struggle against Apartheid and then drawing up our nation's Constitution.

• Because it is the principles that we fought for in the struggle, the very same principles we then wrote into the Constitution, which have guided me through all of these years fighting injustice.

• I am sure there will be some MPs that will be happy to see the back of me, but to me this means that I have done my job well and that I have given South African taxpayers and the poor value for money.

• I am proud to have served my country in the National Assembly by fighting for the rights of the poor, the marginalized and the downtrodden.

Highlights -

• I was there from the very beginning of Parliament in a free South Africa, but one of my first highlights was to be there for the adoption of the final Constitution in 1996.

• I remember that in my first year I had the record for asking the most questions in Parliament.

• I also became the first MP to be suspended. I took Parliament to court and won based on my right to freedom of speech. Parliament appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal and I won again.

• I have a very special relationship with Tata Madiba of course, so during his term there were some very special moments. Once, for instance, during a speech I called on Madiba to start an academy that could teach ANC leaders tolerance. Instantly I was booed from the ANC benches, to which I responded, "You see Tata!" He just laughed.

• Another highlight was 9 September 1999, when I stood up in Parliament and blew the lid on Arms Deal corruption. This triggered more than a decade of denials, but very soon the convictions came, one by one.

• Then, in 2000 I took 5 ministers to court over the conditions of juvenile prisoners and I won that court case too.

• On a lighter note, I was also the first, and I think the only, MP to have a webcam in my office for a whole week. This was part of a study by Wits University and I spent a whole week holding tumultuous meetings in my office.

• I will also never forget my two favourite useless ministers, Pennuel Maduna and the late Steve Tshwete, who I once called Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I added that I was not yet sure who Tweedle Dum was and this brought the ANC benches to their feet with anger.

• Then there was my years-long campaign against Government's HIV/Aids denialism. I remember standing up in Parliament and asking President Mbeki why ARVs were good enough for the rich, like some ANC MPs, but not for the poor. I also became to take a public Aids test and I adopted an HIV-positive child.

• The most recent campaign was where I got the support of the Communications Portfolio Committee to bring down the cost of telecommunications, resulting in savings of billions.

• I have so many wonderful memories and I don't know whether to feel sad that I am leaving, or happy about the opportunities my new job will open up for me in terms of delivery.

• But I would like to thank the wonderful South Africans that have supported me all these years for doing so.

Will you still be around for national issues?

• I would like to assure South Africans that I will continue to raise my voice for the poor, the marginalised and downtrodden in our country.

• I have a duty to them and you must remember that I am still the President of the Independent Democrats.