Sheila Weinberg, anti-apartheid activist and member of the Gauteng legislature, has died at the age of 56, the legislature announced on Tuesday.
Mary Metcalfe, deputy speaker of the legislature, said Weinberg died in the Linksfield clinic last Thursday night from a brain aneurysm she suffered two weeks earlier. She had not regained consciousness.
Born in Johannesburg on October 1 1948, she was the daughter of Eli and Violet Weinberg, both members of the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party. She is survived by her only son, Mark.
As a child, Weinberg was exposed to her parents’ political activities. Both were involved in the trade union movement and the leadership of the SACP.
In 1964, she became the youngest detainee in South Africa when, at the age of 17, she was held at the Johannesburg Fort under the 90-day detention law.
Weinberg was held for 65 days and released without charge. Her mother was held in a cell close to hers.
She later served a short prison sentence for painting pro-ANC slogans on a public building.
In February 1977, Weinberg was accused along with Jeanette Curtis of breaking their banning orders by speaking to each other. Both were later acquitted.
A memorial service will be held on Friday at lunchtime at the Gauteng legislature’s Duncan Hall.
Weinberg will be cremated on Saturday morning at the Braamfontein crematorium, Johannesburg. — Sapa