Mpumalanga’s billionaire pays tribute to Winnie Mandela

Mpumalanga’s own billionaire and business mogul, Robert Gumede, recently paid tribute to the struggle icon, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, as she would have turned 86 on Monday September 26.

Gumede’s tribute was also featured in a special edition called the Commemorative Edition, to remember and honour her on her birthday.
This booklet features messages from the people Madikizela-Mandela had direct contact and interacted with.
The list includes the likes of EFF President Julius Malema, a former ANC treasurer general and businessman, Dr Mathews Phosa, Madikizela-Mandela’s daughter, Zenani, Dr Tshepo Motsepe and the Namibian president, Dr Hage G Geingob.

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“The mere mention of your name, Mama Winnie, ignites the changing sound of the erstwhile ANC Women’s League slogan, Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo [‘you strike a woman, you strike a rock’]. For many years within the borders of our country, you kept alive the flame of hope to defeat the injustice of apartheid, as you took the baton from all our leaders who were incarcerated and in exile.
You were a servant leader away from cameras, deep in the heart of squatter camps. You led from the front, a fearless warrior,” wrote Gumede.

“Your bravery over many years of struggle to stand up against the evil system of apartheid and its handlers, inspired us to be firm and resolute in our quest for liberation of our people in South Africa, but also inspired Mother Africa and its people to stand firm in believing that Africans can find African solutions for Africa.

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“Throughout your leadership, the enemy of the people at the time and many of its apartheid supporters globally used dirty tricks, out of fear of your leadership and power to unite all Africans, to slander your name and ridicule you as they feared you and your ability to unite our people. “In this your 86th birthday month, we wish you eternal peace and we promise to keep your legacy alive for generations to come.

“On behalf of myself and the family, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to Robert, his family, the Guma and Gijima groups for their invaluable support, which enabled us to produce this commemorative supplement in honour of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,” acknowledged Zenani.