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RIP Sharna Fernandez

Speaker Daylin Mitchell on the Passing of Former Speaker Sharna Fernandez:

It is with a great sense of sadness and loss that I learnt about the passing last night (14 November 2025) of former Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Sharna Fernandez.

Ms Fernandez was sworn in as a Member of the fifth parliament of the Western Cape in 2014, immediately whereafter she was elected and served as Speaker for the remainder of the term. She was 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.

Following the 2019 election she was appointed by the Premier of the Western Cape to his cabinet as the Minister of Social Development – a position she could not have been better suited to.

Her dedication to helping, uplifting and supporting those less fortunate members of society was a reflection of the personal challenges she had experienced during her life.

Her love and positive spirit will be missed by all who knew and met 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.

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  1. Fun South African Fact: The Union Buildings in Pretoria are home to a larger than life Nelson Mandela statue.

  2. An retired elderly couple visit London..

    They get picked up from the airport in a london black cab and head off into the city for some adventure.

    The cab driver say \”where you from guvnor?

    Husband. \”we\’re from South Africa\”..

    The wife is a little hard of hearing asks her husband.

    \”What did he say?\”

    The husband turns to his wife and says louder \”the cab driver asked us where we were from, I told him South Africa!\”

    The cabbie continues \”I was in the merchant navy years back… I got to drop anchor down your way, a few times in Johannesburg\”

    The husband replies \”oh wow that\’s where we\’re from originally, now we\’re in Cape Town.\”

    The wife asks the husband again \”what did he say?\”.

    The husband again relays the unheard conversation \”the cab driver says he spent some time in the navy and went down to joberg\”.

    The wife smiles and nods.