By Koketso Mamabolo
There’s an image by photographer Anna Zieminksi from the official opening of Parliament, in 2004, which features the late Frene Ginwala, the Speaker of South Africa’s first democratically-elected parliament. Walking on the red carpet with Ginwala is South Africa’s current Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Naledi Pandor.
What makes the picture particularly compelling is that Anna Zieminksi captured two women who have set spectacular examples as public servants, not only for other women leaders but all leaders regardless of their race or gender. Frene Ginwala’s passing is another sign that we’re at the end of an era which could be described as the infant years of our democracy. Seeing that image is a reminder that we should be grateful that we still have leaders such as Hon. Naledi Pandor.