As South Africans learnt of the sad passing of the mother of the nation, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, memories of her unselfish and heroic sacrifices, made during the apartheid era, flooded back. Ma Winnie, as she was affectionately known, passed away on Monday, April 2, at a Johannesburg hospital, at the age of 81. The ex-wife of South Africa’s first democratically elected President and icon, Nelson Mandela, is remembered for her steely leadership, firebrand rhetoric and courageous activism against a brutal racist regime during the dark apartheid days. Despite being banished, tortured and humiliated repeatedly, by the apartheid regime, she never wavered in her husband’s vision for a free and democratic South Africa, where all men and women would be treated equally and fairly, in the eyes of the law. Locally, many residents recalled the warm friendship they enjoyed with Ma Winnie...
Fond memories: Ma Winnie Mandela with Ashraf and Farzana Peera at their home in 2006.
Tribute to Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela
South Africans received with shock, the sad news of the passing of Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela‚ more affectionately known as Ma Winnie, a stalwart in the fight against apartheid. Ma Winnie had been ill for a while and was last hospitalised at the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, where she succumbed‚ at the age of 81, this past Monday (April 2).
Mandela family spokesperson‚ Victor Dlamini‚ said: "She died after a long illness‚ for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year. She succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones."
Born in Bizana in the Eastern Cape in 1936‚ Winnie Madikizela-Mandela moved to Johannesburg to study social work after matriculating. She met lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in 1957 and they were married a year later. They had two children together. However‚ her married life with Mandela was short-lived‚ as he was arrested in 1963 and sentenced to life imprisonment for treason. Mandela was eventually released in 1990. During Madiba’s time in prison‚ Madikizela-Mandela was not spared the reach of the apartheid forces. She was placed under house arrest and at one time banished to Brandfort‚ a town in the Free State.
In 1969‚ Madikizela-Mandela became one of the first detainees under Section 6 of the notorious Terrorism Act of 1967. She was detained for 18 months in solitary confinement in a condemned cell at Pretoria Central Prison, before being charged under the Suppression of Communism Act of 1950.
After the first democratic election in 1994‚ Madikizela-Mandela became an MP and was appointed Deputy Minister Of Arts And Culture.
She had been an MP ever since‚ despite limited appearances in Parliament over the past few years. In 2016‚ the fiery freedom fighter was conferred an Order of Luthuli in Silver, during the National Orders Awards ceremony, for her excellent contribution to the fight for the liberation of the people of South Africa.
The struggle icon will be buried at the same cemetery as her great-granddaughter, Zenani Zanethemba Nomasonto Mandela. Close relatives said that her family's wishes were that she be buried at the Fourways Memorial Park, north of Sandton. This is where Zenani was buried in 2010. Zenani was 13 when she was killed in a car accident in the early hours of June 11, 2010, after attending the FIFA World Cup kick-off concert, at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. She was the grandchild of Madikizela-Mandela's oldest daughter, Zindzi.
The Laudium Sun, joins our readers in paying tribute to the memories of Ma Winnie, recalling the huge and fearless sacrifices she made for the betterment of our country. This is what members of the local community had to say...
Councillor Mahomed Essop said: "As the nation mourns the passing of the 'mother of the nation', and we all reflect on the impact that this great woman has had on the lives of all South Africans, let us celebrate her immense contributions by dedicating our lives to achieving true freedom in our life-times, with the same vigour, dedication, grit and boldness that Ma Winnie displayed throughout her life. In the dark days of apartheid, whilst the likes of Madiba, Sisulu and Kathrada were incarcerated on Robben Island, it was Ma Winnie that stood tall and kept the fight for freedom alive.
Similarly when the ANC lost its way in the recent past, it was Ma Winnie that spoke out loudly and boldly without fear about the need for change and when that change finally arrived, again, it was Ma Winnie that stood tall and proud and announced to the nation that she was 'back' to assist the new leadership of the ANC to succeed on the path to true freedom.
As an ANC councillor, I am saddened by the passing of Ma Winnie, but as she has taught us repeatedly throughout her life, that when times are tough and its time to take the lead we must not shy away, but boldly step forward and say 'Send Me'. Send me to help the poor, the defenceless, the unemployed, the people that are most in need. Rest in peace Ma Winnie, we will always keep the flame for true freedom alive."
Councillor Essop
Gauteng socialite, Dr Yunus Abdulla: “It was with profound sadness to learn of the demise of Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela Mandela, affectionately referred to as “Mother of the Nation”. Mama Winnie was the face and voice of the anti-apartheid movement. She kept the sentiments and image of Madiba Nelson Mandela alive
while he was in prison. Winnie Madikizela Mandela was one of the most fearless and feisty apartheid struggle icons.
Even at the darkest moments of our struggle for liberation, she was the unwavering symbol of a desire for freedom. In the midst of exploitation and repression, of defiance and resistance; her contribution, her sacrifice, her unyielding determination gained her the love and respect of a nation. Generations to come will scarcely believe that such in flesh and bone was part of our struggle. Go well Mam' Winnie.”
File photo: Gauteng socialite, Dr Yunus Abdulla recalls with fondness, the various occasions he met with Ma Winnie Mandela.
Accounts manager, Satish Devnarain (36) of Cuprene Street, Laudium: "You will forever be the mother of the nation. An epitome of resilience, indisputable courage. You led fearlessly when it wasn't popular. Rest well fearless lioness, you may be gone but you will never be forgotten."
Educator, Nirmala Singh (40) of Ben Street, Erasmia said: "May her courage inspire us to make the most of the liberty she won for us; may her family be comforted by the memory of her heroic life; and may she rest in perpetual peace."
Owner of Extreme Dimensions Graphics, Irfaan Mahomed (27) of Bengal Street, Laudium: " Winnie Mandela was a voice of defiance who refused to be silenced. Her life was a testament to both the strengths and weaknesses of the human character. Her courage and resilience inspired a generation of activists, both in South Africa and around the world."
Attorney Nadia Sakoor (Peera) told the Laudium Sun that Ma Winnie was like a mother to her and that they shared a very special bond for a long time. “I met her for the first time when my father, Ashraf Peera invited her to our home about 20 years ago.
Aunt Winnie had a soft spot for me and always addressed me as her daughter. She even gave me a testimonial stating that she knew me since I was a child. She will be very sadly missed.
Ma Winnie was soft but fearless and most unique.”
Nadia Sakoor (Peera) with Ma Winnie. Photo taken about 12 years ago.
The late Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela.