The Helen Suzman Foundation wished its patron in chief a happy 91st birthday on Friday.

"Helen, we wish you a wondrous day filled with joy and loved ones. We will all watch together as the fascinating process of our country's efforts to consolidate democracy — a cause you fought for diligently — enters its next chapter as we approach our fourth general election," said a statement issued by the foundation's trustees and staff.

"May the ideals that your unique life and efforts represent, continue to inspire many more generations of South Africans that they too can fight for change, progress and the betterment of lives, just as you did for so many many years."

Hailing from Germiston, east of Johannesburg, from 1961 to 1974 Suzman was the only representative in Parliament of the liberal Progressive Party, forerunner of the Democratic Party and then the Democratic Alliance.

She gained a reputation for being feisty and a good debater and called former apartheid head of state PW Botha a bully.

Although against apartheid, Suzman was criticised for serving in the whites only parliament of that time.

According to the foundation's website: "There can surely be little doubt that Helen's parliamentary activities did far more to discredit apartheid than her presence in Parliament did to legitimate it".

Suzman has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sapa