Patricia de Lille: fighting the good fight

Abstract

The name Patricia de Lille is often associated with Parliament, the Democratic Alliance, and the Good party. Her work in the unions, as a leading member of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), and leader of the Independent Democrats is often sidelined. De Lille broke boundaries for women within labour movements and politics. In addition, she has a reputation for being outspoken on issues such as corruption, HIV and AIDS, child abuse, juvenile delinquency, xenophobia, women and poverty. In her leadership roles in the PAC, De Lille was instrumental in fighting the apartheid regime in the latter half of the twentieth century. She has also been involved in the creation and running of democratic South Africa. She has used her voice as a political figure to destigmatise HIV and AIDS by encouraging South Africans to know their status. De Lille broke the glass ceiling as a woman in politics and she continues to advocate for women's rights and against gender-based violence.