Lala Ngoxolo maWinnie
ORLANDO West’s Maseko Street in Soweto came to a standstill last night in the wake of Struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s death, with mourners chanting liberation songs to lift the sombre mood.
Mourners, prominent government officials, politicians and a large media contingent streamed into the house soon after the news broke yesterday afternoon.
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Madikizela-Mandela’s home yesterday.
Ramaphosa said the nation should reflect on Madikizela-Mandela’s rich, remarkable and meaningful life as it mourned her passing in the next days.
“Today we have lost a mother, a leader and an icon. Even at the darkest moments of our struggle for liberation, maWinnie was an abiding symbol of the desire of our people to be free. In the midst of repression, she was a voice of defiance and resistance.
“In the face of exploitation, she was a champion of justice and equality. It was through marriage that she rose to prominence, but it was through her own contribution, her sacrifice and her unyielding determination that she gained the love and the respect of the nation.”
Last night, Ramaphosa announced she would receive an official funeral on April 14 and a memorial on April 11.
Among the mourners to the house were ANC leaders Fikile Mbalula and party elections head and Gauteng Premier David Makhura. EFF national chairperson Dali Mpofu was one of the first mourners to arrive at the house.
Daughter Makaziwe and grandson Mbuso Mandela were seen entering and leaving the house as the day progressed.
Neighbours expressed shock at her passing, saying they were under the impression that her condition was improving. Some reminisced of days spent with Madikizela-Mandela, from her inviting the neighbourhood to birthday parties to entering their homes when there were bereavements.
An emotional Thandiswa Mazwai, music artist and women’s rights activist, arrived at the house weeping. She refused to give interviews and disappeared soon after.
Neighbour Annah Ramutumbu said she heard from a friend in Pretoria that Madikizela-Mandela had died.
“I was so shocked. We had hope when she said she was back to help Ramaphosa and now she has left,” she said.
Ramutumbu said Madikizela-Mandela was a loving mother in the neighbourhood and always opened her gates to them.
“When there were visitors, she would open the gates so we could see who was there. Even when Ramaphosa was here she opened the gates for us to see him.”
Zondwa Mandela described his grandmother’s passing as sudden. He said it was an incident that no one had predicted.
Bishop Gary Rivas, from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, told journalists he and some family members spent time yesterday morning praying for Madikizela-Mandela.
“Shortly after that we received a phone call saying she passed on,” said Rivas, describing Madikizela-Mandela as an “icon, a giant”.
Dr Richard Friedland, chief executive of Netcare, said the private hospital did its best for Madikizela-Mandela.
“What a profound privilege it was to be able to be of support and assistance to Mrs Mandela, a mother of our nation, struggle icon who fought so hard for liberation in our country,” he said.
Details of how she spent her last days were shared on Instagram by her granddaughter Zoleka Mandela.
The duo spent Good Friday in church in Soweto. Clad in a black skirt, red and white jacket and white hat, MadikizelaMandela spent over five hours in church.
On March 8, Madikizela-Mandela attended Zoleka’s graduation. “She wanted us to wear matching outfits; I settled for just the same fabric I walked the streets of downtown CBD to find!” she wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of them.
The 81-year-old Struggle icon had been in and out of hospital since the beginning of the year with a kidney infection.
In the face of exploitation, she was a champion of justice
THE ANC has described Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as a “colossus” of the southern African political landscape following her passing at age 81.
ANC NEC member Jeff Radebe read out a statement to the family, describing her commitment and dedication to the ANC, the liberation movement turned governing party.
“Mama Madikizela-Mandela was identified by the masses of our people as the Mother of the Nation.
“This was in recognition of her fearless and uncompromising stand she took against the might of the then apartheid regime.
“As the ANC we dip our revolutionary banner in salute of this great icon of our liberation struggle.”
ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe said the organisation and its leaders would miss her candour.
“With the departure of
She was one of the few who would tell us exactly what was wrong
uMama Winnie, one of the very few who are left in our stalwarts of the struggle, she’s one of those who would tell us exactly what was wrong or what is right at any time,” Mantashe said.
He said President Cyril Ramaphosa would be visiting the family home.
Following his visit Ramaphosa announced that a memorial service would be held on April 11 and a funeral service on April 14.