Fernandez remembered as a compassionate leader

FORMER Western Cape Social Development MEC and Speaker of the Provincial Parliament Sharna Gail Fernandez is being remembered as a leader whose life embodied resilience, compassion and an unyielding commitment to justice.

- MURRAY SWART

Born in 1959 in Retreat, Fernandez’s early life shaped her empathy for vulnerable communities. Before entering public office, she spent more than 30 years in banking, rising to senior management.

Colleagues often described her as meticulous, principled and deeply people-centred. Her transition into politics began in 2011.

In 2014, she was elected to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) and, on the same day, appointed Speaker, one of the legislature’s most demanding roles.

She served until 2019, gaining a reputation for fairness, discipline and her strong stance against gender-based violence.

Speaker Daylin Mitchell described her as “a fierce champion of women’s rights,’ adding that her “positive spirit will be missed by all who knew her”