Suzman mourned and celebrated

2009-01-01 17:26

Johannesburg - While the loss of Helen Suzman is to be mourned, her life must be celebrated, the Helen Suzman Foundation said on Thursday.

"Whilst we mourn Helen's passing we simultaneously celebrate not only her many achievements in a life dedicated to bringing change to South Africa but more fundamentally the essence of a remarkable woman," the foundation said in a statement.

"[Her] spirit touched those she encountered as much as her vigour and clear unambiguous sense of right and wrong inspired them."

Earlier, Suzman's daughter, Frances Jowell, said her mother died peacefully on Thursday morning at the age of 91 at her home in Johannesburg.

The foundation said it was deeply saddened at the loss of its patron-in-chief.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time of personal loss and grief. We extend our deepest condolences to them."

The foundation said Helen's life deeply touched those whom she came into contact with in both the private and public sphere.

"Those who knew her will attest to her sparkling yet resolute nature and deep commitment to and love for the causes of justice, human rights and peace.

"It is this very core set of beliefs that led Helen to a noteworthy public life in South Africa where she dedicatedly fought for the cause of equality and dignity for all and diligently fought the apartheid regime from where she was with what she had."

'She never lost focus'

For 13 years - from 1961 to 1974 - Suzman was the sole representative in Parliament of the liberal Progressive Party, forerunner of the Democratic Alliance.

Suzman has been generally recognised as the most effective parliamentary fighter against the old National Party's apartheid policies when the NP was at the heyday of its power.

The foundation said Helen never lost focus on the daily lives of South Africans and what they endured under apartheid.

"[She] shone the bright light of truth in every nook and cranny of our beloved country's tortured past with commitment and fortitude."

"Helen Suzman will be mourned and missed, but the values she held dear throughout her life are universal and will inspire many South Africans young and old to remember her and fight to keep those very values burning brightly in the beloved country for which she too fought bravely".

"As we mark the advent of a new year we should all mark the passing of a great South African," said the Foundation.

- SAPA