Tributes to Winnie’s fighting spirit keep pouring in

Tributes to ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela kept pouring in yesterday, repeating the sentiment that South Africa has lost a great woman who was fearless in her fight for the voiceless and made a huge contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle.

The Pan Africanist Congress said they would remember her as an “international symbol of a stoic African woman resisting white supremacy in all formations”.

She had “earned respect in Africa and from many African people in the diaspora. White supremacists hated her with a passion … They wanted to bring her down, but failed dismally”.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions referred to her as a staunch defender of the working class, who would be remembered as one of the liberation heroes of the 20th century.

The South African Federation of Trade Unions emphasised that she was a revolutionary in her own right.

“She was a woman revolutionary who was never prepared to be just Nelson’s wife. She was a fearless fighter, moulded in the struggle against apartheid and a role model for women today. She will be an inspiration for future generations.

“She will always have a very special place in the hearts of millions.”

Guests to the Mandela House view the exhibition displaying pictures of Winnie Mandela in Soweto, 03 April 2018. Picture: Refilwe Modise

Meanwhile, the mother and manager of poet Lebo Mashile, Prudence “Poppy” Matima, shared this memory of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela on social media: “1976 August, late afternoon, I was in Phefeni/Orlando West. Winnie was alone surrounded by a group of soldiers from four South African army armoured vehicles and an army truck.

“With R-4 assault rifles pointing at her, the white soldiers were swearing at her, calling her a ‘k****r hoer’. Six bleeding school children the soldiers had shot were on the ground grimacing in pain.

“Winnie picked up the kids, loaded them in her VW Beetle yelling ‘shoot me, shoot me’. She then drove off towards Baragwanath Hospital.

“I was in a crowd of onlookers who would not dare to assist her and the kids for fear of being shot. Had she not done that the kids would have been loaded onto the truck and left there to die. Old apartheid wounds have been opened by her passing.”

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