Mama Winnie’s memorial moved to Orlando Stadium

The memorial service honouring the life and times of struggle heroine Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will take place at Orlando Stadium next week, the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on state and official funerals confirmed on Thursday.

“In consultation with Mrs Madikizela-Mandela’s family, the government will host a memorial service at Orlando Stadium, Soweto, on Wednesday, April 11 followed by a funeral service on April 14 at the same venue,” said IMC’s chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Dlamini-Zuma, who is also minister in the presidency for planning, monitoring and evaluation, said the change from the original venue of Regina Mundi Catholic Church is due to the size of the venue.

“The change was made after the consideration of the size of the venue and the people expected to attend the memorial service,” she told journalists gathered at a media briefing at Orlando Stadium.

The IMC on state and official funerals – which also includes ministers of communications Nomvula Mokonyane, state security Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba and cooperative governance and traditional affairs Zweli Mkhize – thanked everyone across the globe for their overwhelming show of support following the passing of Mama Winnie, as she was affectionately known.

Madikizela-Mandela passed away on Easter Monday at Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after a long illness that saw her being in and out of the hospital since the start of the year.

Dlamini-Zuma said the government has witnessed how people from all walks of life, including the media, are coming together to celebrate and reflect on the selfless sacrifices made by Mama Winnie.

This, said the minister, bears testimony that her legacy and fight for equality and justice will continue as a hallmark of our common endeavour for justice.

The government further acknowledged the messages of support that have been received from various heads of states and eminent persons across the globe ahead of Mama Winnie’s funeral next weekend.

The minister said the government is preparing for dignitaries from around the globe, who want to attend the funeral.

“The department of international relations and cooperation is the one receiving the confirmations of those who would like to come,” she said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a special official funeral category 1, which entails elements of military ceremonial honours, and is declared in line with the presidency’s state, official and provincial official funeral policy for persons of extraordinary credentials, specifically designated by the president.

“The nature of the funeral itself is the highest you can give to a civilian. There will be similarities to [former President Nelson Mandela’s State Funeral] but we cannot say it will be exactly like the one for Tata Madiba,” said Dlamin-Zuma in response to a question.

Meanwhile, national days of mourning have been declared from April 3 up to the day of her funeral on Saturday, April 14.  In line with this declaration, the national flag has, with immediate effect, been flown at half-mast at all flag stations countrywide and at South African diplomatic missions abroad.

On whether transport arrangements will be made for the people of Soweto to attend the funeral service, Dlamini-Zuma said this was still being finalised.

“The logistics are being worked on. These will be announced to the various communities,” she said.

Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will be interred at Fourways Memorial Park.

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