Johannesburg - The longest-serving female Member of Parliament, Dene Smuts, died on Thursday at the age of 67.
She served in five parliaments since first being sworn in as an MP in 1989.
Smuts was the DA’s spokesperson for justice and constitutional development.
The journalist-turned-politician was the daughter of a former judge president of the former Orange Free State, and was born and raised in the Free State.
She attended Meisieskool Oranje.
She graduated from Stellenbosch University with a BA honours degree in literature.
Smuts was previously the managing editor of Leadership magazine and the editor of Fair Lady magazine.
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, who knew Smuts for more than 30 years, said she was a very strong woman with strong leadership abilities.
She said she knew her mainly in politics but that she had the same qualities outside of politics as well.
“She was a very good analyst, a true-blue liberal, who played a key role in all negotiations,” she said.
Zille said Smuts's death was a great loss for the country.