All who worked with her felt maWinnie’s love
WINNIE Madikizela-Mandela, affectionately known as Mama Winnie, didn’t only show love to the people she worked with in the ANC and government.
She ensured that those who worked for her at her Orlando, Soweto, home, cooking her food, cleaning her house and washing her clothes, also felt that love.
In cold weather outside the house of the late 81-year-old, Nozane Ndothi, who worked as a domestic worker, joined scores of mourners to celebrate the life of Madikizela-Mandela.
Ndothi, who was dressed in her work attire, said she decided to take a break from cleaning the house and be part of history because of the impact Madikizela-Mandela had in her life.
“I decided to come out here to celebrate the life of Mama. She played a huge role in the liberation struggle and in my life.
“She stood up and fought for what is right. She didn’t fear anything.
“Even though she was intimidated, she never gave up. Instead, she gained more strength and fought back,” Ndothi said.
“We had our own ups and downs, but not once did she treat me or any of my colleagues badly,” added Ndothi, who began working for Madikizela-Mandela in 2010.
“My relationship with her was close to my heart and special.
“We had a strong connection and that motivated me to wake up and come to work every day.”
Ndothi, who used to clean and wash for the former ANC Women’s League president, will miss her.
“Mama was a caring person. She showed me and the rest of my colleagues love. She accepted us as family members.
“I have had many bosses, but Mama Winnie was different. She had her unique way to show love and support to her staff.”
Madikizela-Mandela helped Ndothi to enrol her son at the University of Johannesburg, where he is studying chartered accounting.
Ndothi said her son was now in his second year and she looks forward to seeing him following in Madikizela-Mandela’s footsteps and becoming a leader in his industry after completing his studies.
“My son is happy. He is doing well at school, thanks to the Mother of the Nation.
“I will always remember what she has done for me and my son.
“I want him to be the best in what he does. I want him to be a leader like Mama Winnie. He must take over the baton and be a great example,” said Ndothi.
Zimbili Ncaphayi, who worked for the Struggle stalwart for four years, said she would miss Madikizela-Mandela’s sense of humour.
“Mama used to joke and say, ‘You are here to eat my food. Please go back to work…’ She knew how to treat people. She took care of us.”
Ncaphayi said MadikizelaMandela, a fashion trendsetter, would often give them clothes.
“Mama would call us and tell us to choose which items we wanted from her closet.
“She had a great taste when it came to clothes. We all admired her and how she dressed,” Ncaphayi said.
Designer Ephraim Molingoana, of Ephymol, had a close relationship with Madikizela-Mandela, and said that she had extraordinary style. He designed garments for her over the years.
“I had a good relationship with her. There was a time when she was with me (that) she called her stylist Nandipha and told her she would find her with me because I was designing new clothes for her.
“She was joking around, saying Nandipha was making boring things,” he laughed, remembering her free spirit.
“She was always full of jokes. She had an amazing sense of style, from her robes to her jewels and her pearls. She loved pearls. Her robes were always on the flamboyant side.”
Molingoana said the next generation would never see the great styles of yesteryear that Mam’ Winnie wore with ease.
“I remember chatting to a friend of mine who was styling looks like Winnie and we had wanted her to do a runway show based on her style, but that did not happen.
“I have so much love and respect for the iconic fashion woman she was.” – Additional reporting by Mpiletso Motumi