The first National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala has died,President Cyril Ramaphosa announced. Ginwala passed away at her home last night after suffering a stroke two weeks ago.
CONDOLENCES POUR IN
In a statement, President Ramaphosa extended his condolences to Ginwala's friends, colleagues and associates in South Africa. "On behalf of the nation and of the legislative, executive and judicial components of the state, the president offers his sincere condolences to Ginwala's family, her nephews Cyrus, Sohrab and Zavareh and their families," the statement read. Ramaphosa added, "Today we mourn the passing of a formidable patriot and leader of our nation, and an internationalist to whom justice and democracy around the globe remained an impassioned objective to her last days,".
ANC STALWART
Born on 25 April 25, 1932, Ginwala who is a former journalist served the ANC as a lawyer, academic, political leader, and activist. She was a Speaker for the National Assembly from 1994 to 2004 before she retired from politics. She was also honoured with the Order of Luthuli in Silver for her contribution to the struggle for democracy in 2005.
PLAYED A BIG ROLE
While in exile, Ginwala, who studied law at the University of London, headed the Political Research Unit in the office of the then ANC president Oliver Tambo, where her research focused on the transfer of military and nuclear technology. She also served as ANC spokesperson in the UK on sanctions, the nuclear programme and the arms and oil embargo relating to South Africa. "Ginwala epitomised the ethos and expectations of our then fledgling Constitution and played an important role in building the capacity of Parliament. She was similarly influential and instrumental in shaping the advancement of democracy and the entrenchment of democratic political processes and fundamental socio-economic rights in the Southern African Development Community and the continent at large," the presidency added. The government said It respects the family's wishes for a private funeral.
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