Former Western Cape Legislature Speaker and Western Cape Social Development MEC, Sharna Fernandez, has died.
ARCHIVE - Sharna Fernandez at Bush RadioDA leader in the Western Cape, Tertius Simmers, confirmed
the newson Saturday morning, saying she passed away peacefully in her sleep on
Friday evening.
Fernandez, 65, started doing community work in 2011,
collaborating with several community activists. In 2014, she became a member of
the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and also appointed Speaker of the Provincial
Parliament. In 2019, she was appointed as Western Cape Social Development MEC.
Simmers said Fernandez was vocal about SASSA’s failures to
pay social grants on time or over delays in relief for distressed elderly
beneficiaries during her tenure as MEC
Fernandez retired from politics in 2024 and ventured into
real estate.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde wrote on Facebook: “We are
deeply saddened by the passing of former Western Cape Minister of Social
Development Sharna Fernandez. Sharna served our province with heart, integrity,
and an unwavering commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable people in our
society. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who loved and worked
with her. May her memory be a blessing, and may we honour her legacy through
caring for others.”
Singer Allister Izobell posted to Facebook:
“Rest in peace my dearest Sharna Gail Fernandez. I am sad but my heart smiles
today with a flood of wonderful memories. You were a gem. It was good that this
journey had you in it! Thank you for trusting me to do your final life
celebration. Rest your soul now sister!”
WCPP Speaker, Daylin Mitchell, described Fernandez as a ‘’fierce
champion of women’s rights and a campaigner against gender-based violence’’ -
both of which were persistent themes during her tenure as Speaker.
‘’Her love and positive spirit will be missed by all who
knew and came into contact with her. Her legacy as a former Speaker of the
Western Cape Provincial Parliament will be remembered fondly by those who
served with and after her, by the employees of the Provincial Parliament and
all who came into contact with her. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her
mother, son, grandson and all her family, friends and all who were fortunate to
have known her,’’ said Mitchell.
Founder of the Philisa Abafazi Bethu, Lucinda Evans, also
took to social media to share her condolences. “This morning I wish to pay my
respect and condolences to the family of the late Sharna Gail Fernandez. Rest
in love, dear leader. May your soul rest in peace,” she wrote.
Done By: Mitchum George
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