Winnie visited in hospital by ‘Aunty Sophie’

“I WANTED to share my birthday with Mama Winnie Mandela.”

These were the words of another Struggle stalwart, Sophie Williams-De Bruyn, moments on leaving Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after visiting Winnie MadikizelaMandela, who is recuperating.

Madikizela-Mandela was admitted to hospital following a suspected kidney infection on Saturday.

Williams-De Bruyn – who was one of the four women that led the 1956 march against pass laws – turned 80 yesterday.

Of the four women – Lillian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa and Helen Joseph – she is the only survivor.

Williams-De Bruyn, popularly known as Aunty Sophie, fulfilled her wish to spend her birthday with MadikizelaMandela.

She walked into the hospital just before 4pm accompanied by her daughterin-law Trudy.

“We had a lively recollection of our past political activities. We reminisced about our past political work in the Struggle. She was in lively spirits and enthusiastic,” Williams-De Bruyn said.

She said MadikizelaMandela addressed her daughter-in-law and reminded her that they had done their part in the Struggle as veterans and it was now up young people to ensure that “we do not lose our democracy”.

“Mama Winnie is enthusiastic, bright and full of jokes and laughter. She inspired me,” Williams-De Bruyn said.

Earlier, Williams-De Bruyn remembered how her grandson came to her house in one of the northern suburbs of Johannesburg to wish her a “happy birthday”.

“My grandson Angelo said happy birthday Mama and wished me a long life for everything you did to me and other family members as well as my parents,” she said.