Sharna Fernandez

Sharna Fernandez was sworn in as a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament In 2014, and in May that year was elected as Speaker. Sharna was appointed as Western Cape Minister of Social Development on 23 May 2019, after the last general election.

Sharna had a successful 30-year career in the banking sector of South Africa. During this period the foundation was laid for the leader she is. “I learned the value of teamwork and that being an authentic leader is key to the success of any team,” she said.

In 2009, she became severely ill, which resulted in a very long and difficult recovery. “Once I recovered after a near-death experience, I decided to pay it forward in life,” she explained.

She started doing community work in 2011, collaborating with several community activists. During this period, Sharna was invited to a political meeting. “The ability to serve others is what attracted me as I had acquired knowledge and skills which I could share in the political arena.”

Sharna says that politics is about servant leadership and being true to the oath of office. “It’s about acting with integrity and being able to represent the voices of the citizens who lent me their vote for 5 years. It’s the realisation that we must place people at the centre of all we do. My leadership style is participatory as I believe that teamwork is essential to the success of any team,” says Fernandez.

In dealing with the high-pressured environment which she works in, Sharna concludes: “Practising mindfulness and acknowledging a Higher Power, sustains my positive approach to life as well as the support of my family, colleagues and Team DSD.”