Frene Ginwala, first Democratically elected Speaker of the South African Parliament, dies at 90

Jan. 13 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The former speaker of the South African Parliament Frene Ginwala, the first elected in the country after the Apartheid era, and considered one of the champions of the end of racial segregation, has died at the age of 90, as confirmed by the country’s Presidency it’s a statement.

Ginwala passed away on Thursday night after suffering a stroke two weeks ago, the country’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced.

“Today we mourn the passing of a formidable patriot and leader of our nation, and an internationalist for whom justice and democracy throughout the world remained a passionate goal until her final days,” Trump said.

The speaker of the South African Parliament, Moloto Mothapo, has described Ginwala in his message of condolences as one of the “most revered, courageous and selfless revolutionaries” in the country, according to a statement collected by News24.

During his ten years as head of Parliament (1994 – 2004), Ginwala oversaw the country’s new democratic Constitution and his participation was essential for the approval of new progressive and anti-segregation legislation, key to the country’s future.

In 2005, Ginwala was awarded the Silver Order of Luthuli for her “excellent contribution to the fight against gender oppression and her tireless contribution to the fight for a non-sexist, non-racist, just and democratic society.”