Details: How a struggle icon was lost

A massive outpouring of grief yesterday greeted the news of Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela’s peaceful death at the Netcare Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Known to her millions of fans as Mama Winnie, the 81-year-old Madikizela-Mandela had suffered from ill-health, for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year, family spokesperson Victor Dlamini said.

She had suffered from a kidney infection, for which she had been admitted to hospital in January, only to be discharged a week later.

“Mrs Madikizela-Mandela was one of the greatest icons of the struggle against apartheid. She fought valiantly against the apartheid state and sacrificed her life for the freedom of the country,” Dlamini said.

“Her activism and resistance to apartheid landed her in jail on numerous occasions, eventually causing her banishment to the small town of Brandfort in the then Orange Free State.”

Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe called her one of the greatest icons of the struggle against apartheid.

“She fought valiantly against the apartheid state and sacrificed her life for the freedom of her country,” Radebe said.

Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said she would be missed for telling the ANC what she thought the party was doing right or wrong.

Former President Nelson Mandela and his wife, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, date unknown. Picture: Gallo Images/Media24 Archives

Despite her fame as Nelson Mandela’s second wife, Madikizela-Mandela was a powerful woman in her own right.

According to sahistory.org, she completed her degree in social work in 1955, finishing at the top of her class, and was offered a scholarship for further study in the US.

But soon after receiving the scholarship, she was offered the position of medical social worker at the Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg, making her the first qualified black member of staff.

Madikizela-Mandela accepted the post, and eventually the “Mother of the Nation” met Nelson Mandela.

While he was imprisoned on Robben Island during apartheid, Madikizela-Mandela did much to keep him in the public mind, and suffered imprisonment, banning, and torture as a result.

She had many notable experiences, such as taking part in the 20 000-woman strong march in protest of pass laws to the Union Buildings, where the phrase “wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo” (you strike a woman, you strike a rock) originated.

Post-apartheid, the struggle icon seemed to battle at times to find her place, occassionally culminating in run-ins with the law.

Winnie Mandela after viewing Madiba’s body at the Union Buildings on December 11, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, passed away on the evening of December 5, 2013. Picture: Gallo Images / Foto24 / Alet Pretorius

The most notable was when Jerry Richardson of her Mandela United Football Club was found responsible for the death of 14-year-old Stompie Seipei.

Madikizela-Mandela was handed a two year suspended sentence and fine of R15 000 for her involvement in his kidnapping.

Richardson claimed at the Truth And Reconciliation Commission that he had kidnapped and murdered Seipei at her behest.

Madikizela-Mandela leaves two daughters: Zenani (ambassador to Argentina) and Zindziswa (ambassador to Denmark).

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

– amandaw@citizen.co.za

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Madikizela-Mandela in her own words

• “Wake up and roar young lions, roar!” – opening a political rally in the Western Cape in 1993.
• “I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy.” – at the opening of a children’s cultural festival in India.
• “All we need to remember is that not one city, one building, road … railway line was ever built without us.” – in calling for black unity and pride, immediately following the June 1976 youth revolt.
• “Why do we find ourselves where we are today? We all need to introspect, and go back to the drawing board. What has happened to South Africa?” – addressing women prior to Women’s Day.
• “When they came to get me, as they always did … one was most painful … The children were tugging on my skirt saying mummy don’t go. Mummy, don’t go.” – during an interview with talk show host Felicia Mabuza-Suttle.
• “I’m not going to say one word that is going to be discussed at Luthuli House.” – during her 80th birthday celebrations.
• “Worst of all, it is being without my children” – A 1983 interview in Brandfort, the town she was banished to.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela during her exile in Brandfort, South Africa in 1977. Picture: Gallo Images/ Avusa Archives/ Peter Magubane