Helen Suzman, a celebrated South African MP and anti-apartheid campaigner, has died at the age of 91.
Helen Suzman, a celebrated South African MP and anti-apartheid campaigner, has died at the age of 91.
Ms Suzman, a member of parliament first for the United Party and later the liberal Progressive Party, was an outspoken critic of apartheid.
Ms Suzman, a member of parliament first for the United Party and later the liberal Progressive Party, was an outspoken critic of apartheid.
For 13 years, Suzman, the daughter of Lithuanian Jews, was the only MP to openly condemn South Africa's whites-only apartheid regime.
For 13 years, Suzman, the daughter of Lithuanian Jews, was the only MP to openly condemn South Africa's whites-only apartheid regime.
She was made an honorary dame by the Queen in 1989.
She was made an honorary dame by the Queen in 1989.
She was also twice-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
She was also twice-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mandela supporter
Mandela supporter
The former MP, who had been in a frail condition recently, died at her home in Johannesburg early on Thursday.
The former MP, who had been in a frail condition recently, died at her home in Johannesburg early on Thursday.
Ms Suzman, who first entered the South African parliament in 1953, was a thorn in the side of the apartheid regime, BBC correspondent Peter Biles said from Johannesburg.
Ms Suzman, who first entered the South African parliament in 1953, was a thorn in the side of the apartheid regime, says the BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg.
She was a frequent visitor of jailed African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela when he was held on Robben Island prison for 18 years.
She was a frequent visitor of jailed African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela when he was held on Robben Island prison for 18 years.
Ms Suzman was a vocal critic of apartheid
Despite her condition, Ms Suzman, who stepped down from parliament in 1989, continued to speak out against what she saw as the failings of South Africa's post-apartheid ANC administration.
Despite her condition, Ms Suzman, who stepped down from parliament in 1989, continued to speak out against what she saw as the failings of South Africa's post-apartheid ANC administration.
Ms Suzman was born in Germiston, Gauteng, on 7 November 1917 to Jewish Lithuanian immigrants.
In 1937, at the age of 19, she married doctor Moses Meyer Suzman. The couple later had two daughters.
Suzman received honorary doctorates from leading universities across the globe, including Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia (New York), Harvard, Witwatersrand and Cape Town. She was also awarded an honorary Fellowship of the London School of Economics (LSE).
Mr Mandela wrote of her in his biography: "It was an odd and wonderful sight to see this courageous woman peering into our cells and strolling around our courtyard. She was the first and only woman ever to grace our cells."
Did you ever meet Helen Suzman? Send us your tributes:
Did you ever meet Helen Suzman? Send us your tributes:
