Francesca worked for the Anti-Apartheid Movement before, during and after, Zimbabwe independence.
She worked at Liberty as Director of the Civil Liberties Trust drafting A People's Charter, Liberty's proposed bill of rights, in collaboration with others, where she insisted her name not be on the cover. She was also a Board member of EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission), for 3 years.
She was one of the main architects (in collaboration with others) in the drafting of the 1998 Human Rights Act, an act, that, in the last few weeks, has become even more important for this country.
Her work in Human Rights was recognized by an OBE, but her greatest thrill was being awarded the Bernard Crick prize for best essay at the 2010 George Orwell event which, unbeknownst to her, had been entered by Political Quarterly.
"Working in the anti apartheid movement I met some of the most extra-ordinary people, who came through those ram-shackled downtrodden offices in Charlotte Street; heroes and heroines of the revolution passed through those offices. You met them all. It was completely overwhelming. I will never ever forget it. I suppose the independence of Zimbabwe was the biggest surprise at that time. I never thought that would happen when it did. Lancaster House was just big. Huge developments happening in real time.
When I see people from those days there's a huge connection between us. Just really makes you understand what really matters, and what real struggles are about; the courage of other people, and their dedication. People just utterly dedicated to making things better for themselves and others.
The most memorable day for me, politically, in my life was the day when Nelson Mandela was released from prison."
