The founding speaker of South Africa’s first democratically elected parliament Frene Ginwala has died at the age of 90. According to a statement issued by the Presidency on Friday, Ginwala died following a stroke two weeks ago.
President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his condolences to Ginwala’s family, fans, and associates in South Africa and beyond.
He described the anti-apartheid struggle icon as a formidable leader of the nation, “and an internationalist to whom justice and democracy around the globe remained an impassioned objective to her last days.”
The anti-apartheid activist, Frene Ginwala lived in exile in Mozambique in the 60’s and 70’s from where she helped many prominent members of the banned African National Congress (ANC) escape abroad.
The astute political tactician toured the world drumming international support against the apartheid rule replete with human rights violations.
With the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994, Ginwala was appointed speaker of the National Assembly.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country was mourning the passing of a dauntless patriot.