Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies at 81
Ex-wife of South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela, Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela died yesterday aged 81. town of Brandfort in the then Orange Free State.
“She kept the memory of her imprisoned husband Nelson Mandela alive during his years on Robben Island and helped give the struggle for justice in South Africa its most recognisable faces. She dedicated most of her adult life to the cause of the people and for this was known far and wide as the Mother of the Nation.
“The Mandela family are deeply grateful for the gift of her life and even as our hearts break at her passing‚ we urge all those who loved her to celebrate this most remarkable woman.
“The family will release details of the memorial and funeral services once these have been finalised.” late Nelson Mandela.
Prof. Gambari, in a telephone interview with Daily Trust yesterday, extolled the virtues of the anti-apartheid campaigner, saying she stood by her husband and promoted his legacy.
He said though the couple later divorced, the late Winnie never divorce from the commitment to equal right and end to discrimination.
Prof. Gambari, “It is very tragic and shocking because I had the privilege of meeting her when she came with her husband to the United Nations following the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. It is very sad
“She is someone who sacrificed her life and suffered a lot of harassment from the apartheid regime, stood by her husband and promoted his legacy.
“Of course in the end they divorced, but she never divorce from the commitment to equal right, civil right and to the end of all kinds of discrimination whether it is based on race, gender or nationality. She will be greatly missed by all those who are committed to freedom from oppression and discrimination.”
He urged other African women to be committed to demanding their right, and should be waiting to get what belongs to them.
“For me, the biggest lesson from her legacy is that commitment, leadership and activism are not the preserve of men, because when there is problem, women and children suffer the most.
“They have to be strong, committed and demand their right because she [Winnie] was not waiting to be given her right. She demanded her right and she was prepared to make the sacrifice.
“The lesson is that struggle requires sacrifice and in the end victory is certain”
A retired diplomat, Ambassador Suleiman Dahiru said Winnie Mandela over paid her dues to South Africa.
“She was at the forefront in the fight against apartheid, more than some of the men. She endured solitary confinement because she wanted freedom for her people.
“During her young age, she had to endure 27 years of separation from her husband. Any other human being would have broken down completely. But she kept the flag flying even in the absence of her husband.”
Dahiru said South Africa has lost an icon, whom he described as “a prominent woman whose beautiful was recognised all over the world.”
He enjoined other African women to continue to struggle for the change they desire in the continent.
“If they want a desired change in the continent of Africa, if they want to have a stronger world, they have to organise themselves and fight like Winnie Mandela did.
“This is the only way African women can make an impact. If they think that they can just sit down and the men will give them chance, they are making a mistake. All African women should organise and not go into unnecessary rivalry among themselves,” he added. (Read Interview with the late Madikizela-Mandela on page 12)