From one heroine to another
Winnie gets her Sisulu award at last
Struggle veteran and ANC stalwart Winnie MadikizelaMandela does not feel worthy of being honoured with the Albertina Sisulu Lifetime Award which was presented to her at her home in Orlando, Soweto, yesterday.
Gauteng premier David Makhura yesterday paid the former ANC Women’s League president a visit to hand over the award she had won earlier this month for her contribution to the Struggle.
Madikizela-Mandela, 81, told Makhura that she did not deserve the award as there were other female leaders who had contributed more to the Struggle than she did
She, however, felt honoured by the recognition. “I am honoured to be the first woman to receive this award, especially on behalf of all the people who are gone such as Albertina Sisulu and Helen Joseph. I have no right to be the first [woman] to be given this award because there are those who came before me but are no longer here.”
She said she grew up in the shadow of great women who were never recognised for the roles they played in achieving a free and democratic SA.
“I lived in the shadow of great women, some of whom sacrificed their lives to see this country become what it is.”
Madikizela-Mandela was honoured earlier this month at the Women’s Excellence Awards in Pretoria under the theme “Press for Change: Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu Centenary”. The wards are held by the Gauteng government. Madikizela-Mandela missed the event due to illness.
Makhura said the Struggle stalwart was given the honour for the voice she gave to millions of women.
“Her strength did not just inspire women in South Africa but also inspired women across the world. She was able to lead the Struggle when many of our leaders were either in prison or in exile, but she remained resolute in her fight against apartheid.”