NELSPRUIT - It was a bittersweet moment when MPL Mr Jackson Mthembu walked out of the Mpumalanga Legislature chambers for the last time on Friday morning.
Mthembu was recently deployed to ANC headquarters Luthuli House in Johannesburg to take over the reigns from Ms Jesse Duarte as the organisation's national spokesman, after having served in the Mpumalanga Legislature since its inception in 1994.
He served as speaker, chief whip of the ruling party, vice-president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and member of the executive.
Although receiving heavy criticism of late in his role as speaker, Mthembu will mostly be remembered for his fierce loyalty to the ANC, the pivotal role he played during the struggle, and his ability to speak his mind without fear or favour.
In several farewell messages, he was described as a man with a heart as big as an elephant's, who always smiled in all situations, good or bad. And indeed that he is.
Current ANC chief whip, Mr Siphosiswe Masango, described him as a principled, humble, disciplined, courageous and fearless leader.
In his farewell tribute, leader of the official opposition Mr Anthony Benadie, described Mthembu as one of the staunchest debaters he had ever encountered, and lightheartedly thanked the ANC for helping the DA in Mpumalanga in getting rid of him. "Whenever I noted his name on the speakers’ list before a public debate, I knew I had my work cut out for me," Benadie said.
Before leaving, Mthembu thanked the house for the kind words spoken and also the ANC for "giving me once again, the opportunity to serve my people."
So long  Jackson, your charismatic presence and jovial smile will be sorely missed in the corridors of the Mpuma-langa Legislature.