Frene Ginwala

Frene Noshir Ginwala (25 April 1932 – 12 January 2023) was a South African journalist and politician who was the first speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa from 1994 to 2004. She was influential in the writing of the Constitution of South Africa and an important figure in establishing democracy in South Africa. Quotes Parliament is televised and people will watch it, and if they can see their leaders sitting in parliament there will be an identification. Ginwale said this at an interview. I’m not, I’m accountable to parliament and to the South African public. Ginwale said this at her interview with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. I am ashamed of the poverty around us, the growing difference between rich and poor and the despair that leads people to tear down and burn what little they have. Ginwale said this during a Lecture at UKZN. A case of one step forward and two steps backward. She said this during a lecture at UKZN. Being a woman in politics is first and foremost to understand the full history of patriarchy. That is, to understand the fight that came before you. Sometimes I joke that it's as if men have a genetic deficiency that prevents them from seeing capable women. When we fought for the end of apartheid, we did not think the Afrikaners were simply going to hand over power. Similarly with the end of patriarchy; men are not simply going to give us equality as an act of charity. We will have to fight for it. We should have done better. We don’t deserve to be elected after failing to listen to the people. Why are people crying? Why are we not listening? Why are universities not engaging in dialogue? I don’t have all the answers, but it is time for mobilisation. We should bring back those values that won us international recognition. Where are those values? We should honour our leaders like Chief Albert Luthuli by bringing back values. When we fought for the end of apartheid, we did not think the Afrikaners were simply going to hand over power. Similarly with the end of patriarchy; men are not simply going to give us equality as an act of charity. We will have to fight for it. We need a South Africa in which the population as a whole – men, women, poor, rich – has a say, knowing their views and attitudes are taken into account. What has happened to the values which the ANC always stood for and which Chief Luthuli exemplified? We need to do more than pay lip service to them. All leaders at every level and ANC members need to promote and live by them. We still live in segregated areas, divided not by laws but by wealth. External links Category:1932 births Category:2023 deaths Category:Politicians from South Africa