Parties unite in praise for Struggle heroine

YOU COULD have been fooled into thinking the joint singing of the EFF and ANC meant that there was a promise of reuniting.

But when the singing got hot and the stadium filled with colours of both parties, the competition heated up.

EFF members made sure that their sea of red was visible throughout the chanting.

At times they led the song choice, with the ANC members singing along. It was a sight to see as the reds joined together in sitting with the yellow-and-greens.

But they made sure that even as they sat among the ANC colours, their red was grouped together for all to see.

There was disorder in their camp when a scuffle was about to ensue among the members in one of the corners of the stands. Police quickly took control of the situation before it could get out of hand.

Boos rang out from the EFF every time the names of the ANC leaders were announced.

The boos were even louder when former president Jacob Zuma’s name was announced. It took a little while longer for programme director Minister Nosiviwe MapisaNqakula to calm them down. When Julius Malema took to the podium he made a point that any booing at President Cyril Ramaphosa was akin to disrespecting Mama Winnie.

Zondwa Mandela relayed the family’s praise name to much ululation. He urged women and men to continue the legacy.

“The story lives on in all the women who wake up every day, carving a life for themselves. I hope to tell the story of a hero of the people. She was one of us, she was one of you, she dared to continue. When the entire world conspired against her, she stood tall.”

Mama Winnie’s sister, Zukiswa Madikizela, encouraged the women of the world to help their communities. “In a society that constantly tells women, ‘no you can’t’, you can.”

A particularly touching tribute came from Mama Winnie’s longtime friend and confidant, Mrs Mokgobo.

“We owe you so much. Your deep understanding of the need to revolutionise social work remains an imperative. You told us to free ourselves from slave mentality and you taught us to be in the trenches with the people.”

Naomi Campbell spoke about what Winnie Madikizela Mandela meant to her. “She taught us not to be limited in our movements, reminding us always to stay true to who we are.”