The DA in the Western Cape mourns the passing of Sharna Fernandez, the former WCPP Speaker and Western Cape Minister of Social Development.
She passed away peacefully in her sleep last night.
Sharna started doing community work in 2011, collaborating with several community activists. During this period, Sharna was invited to a political meeting and that made her realise she could further help citizens from political office.
In 2014, she became a member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and also appointed Speaker of the WCPP. In 2019, she was appointed as Western Cape Minister of Social Development.
In her tenure as Minister, she fought relentlessly against SASSA’s failures to pay social grants on time or over delays in relief for distressed elderly beneficiaries.
Sharna, in 2024, retired from the political arena and ventured into real estate. However, her humanitarian work continued.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her mother, her son, and the rest of her family during this incredibly difficult time.
May they find comfort and strength in the days ahead.