Malema uploads black image to Twitter as SA mourns

Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema took to Twitter on Monday to express his grief on the passing of his longtime political mentor Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who passed away at 81 after struggling with illness.

He simply uploaded a black screen with emojis of a broken heart and tears.

😭 😭😢😩😫 💔 💔 💔 pic.twitter.com/nahQuQEoYg

— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) April 2, 2018

She once said that Malema would make a good president of the country while he was president of the ANC Youth League. The two were always very close and he saw her as a mother.

One of her final wishes was that he would return to the ANC, though he recently declared he would sooner leave politics than quit the EFF.

Madikizela-Mandela was, like Malema, always on the more radical side of politics and she often expressed her concern that the compromises made by the ANC during the transition to democracy had been too accommodating.

Malema’s grief has been shared by much of South African society, with numerous other public figures and organisations releasing statements and comments of mourning, commiseration and insight.

Most notably, Anglican Archbishop Emeritius Desmond Tutu said she was a symbol of the struggle of apartheid and paid tribute to her in a statement.

Fikile Mbalula wrote: “The passing of Mama Winnie comes as a great shock to all of us. She embodied strength, resistance and an undying spirit of love for freedom. She fought a relentless fight for us to have an equal and just society. Her life was for the service of all African people.”

Take a look at some of the other major reactions below:

“I no longer have the emotion of fear, there is no longer anything I can fear.There is nothing the government has not done to me. There isn't any pain I haven't known”

“I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy.”

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela#RIP pic.twitter.com/k5QCL4Tb4Y

— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) April 2, 2018

The end of an era. There can never be another like her. A warrior, a fighter, a mother, a force, a rock, a movement! #WinnieMandela

— Rami Chuene (@ramichuene) April 2, 2018

This has to be the saddest news about the passing of Mama Winnie Mandela.

May your soul rest in power mother of the nation 💔#WinnieMandela#RIPWinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/DdbiuZN3xV

— KatlehoMK (@KatlehoMK) April 2, 2018

The Mother of the Nation

●spent 491 days in solitary confinement
●was placed under house arrest,
●banned to Brandford
●taken away from her family
●subjected to most cruel treatment

You are hailed as a hero! #RIPWinnieMandela #WinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/GMsiUnG5ur

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— Christo 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@ChristoThurston) April 2, 2018

Rest in Power Mme Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela.

You fought a good fight, you wanted African to get REAL FREEDOM.

Beside the challenges you stayed loyal and disciplined.

REST in POWER brave warrior. Mantshangase, Magutyana you will be dearly missed. #WinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/d8g7wD4xa8

— Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) (@MyPAConline) April 2, 2018

A warrior. Rest in peace. #WinnieMandela #RIPwinniemandela pic.twitter.com/hEo2Rf700j

— Barron (@BarronHufkie) April 2, 2018

“I no longer have the emotion of fear, there is no longer anything I can fear.There is nothing the government has not done to me. There isn't any pain I haven't known”

“I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy.”#RIP#WinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/mMCWu2hEVu

— Sivuyile Mqxekwa (@mqxekwa) April 2, 2018