'Thorn in the flesh of apartheid'
2009-01-01 22:40
Johannesburg - The African National Congress on Thursday said the late Helen Suzman was a vocal critic against apartheid.
Spokesperson Brian Sokutu said the ANC remembered and respected her contribution towards the demise of apartheid.
"Suzman used Parliament to fight injustices in South Africa. She became a thorn in the flesh of apartheid by openly criticising segregation of Blacks by a Whites-only apartheid system," he said.
"Her frequent visits to jailed former ANC leader Nelson Mandela and speaking out against forced removals at Crossroads in the Western Cape and other injustices by the then minority White regime, speaks volumes about this stalwart."
'Principled woman'
Meanwhile Independent Democrats president Patricia de Lille paid tribute to Suzman in Cape Town by saying it was difficult to imagine South Africa without her.
"Suzman was part of the generation that was slowly passing on and would be remembered for her huge contribution to the struggle against apartheid that led to the attainment of freedom in 1994.
"The fact that Helen Suzman lived such a long, productive and compassionate life does not take any of my deep sadness away, it is difficult to imagine our country without her," said De Lille.
She said Suzman was a principled woman and never compromised when it came to the truth.
Helen Suzman died at the age of 91, on Thursday.
- SAPA