ANC pays tribute to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

SIYABONGA SITHOLE

A strong ANC contingent visited Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's Soweto home on Monday to honour and celebrate the Struggle icon's 86th birthday.

The birthday celebrations were organised by the ANC, with President Cyril Ramaphosa making his visit to the family home ahead of his keynote address in honour of Madikizela-Mandela's contribution to the Struggle for freedom.

Friends, family and ANC leaders flocked to making his visit to the family home ahead of his keynote address in honour of Madikizela-Mandela's Soweto home in Orlando West where she was celebrated for her resilience and strength. Madikizela-Mandela died at Milkpark Hospital in 2018 following a long illness.

Among those who attended the birthday celebrations are ANC Gauteng chairperson and Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, Greater Johannesburg chairperson Dada Morero and secretary of Ekurhuleni ANC Thokozani Nciza.

Ramaphosa said Madikizela-Mandela was a fearless leader who remained loyal to the party even during difficult times.

“She was loyal to the ANC and the only party that she loved and recognised was the ANC; that is why we say she belonged to the ANC. The others are just claiming her but she belonged to the ANC. She walked with the ANC and the ANC was her only party. Those who are claiming her are claiming without knowing her,” Ramaphosa told guests outside the Mandela Soweto home.

Ramaphosa said Madikizela-Mandela was loved and feared by her oppressors who knew that she was a brave and strong woman.

"Mama Winnie was a strong, brave and courageous woman. She struck fear in the hearts of her oppressors and they knew that if they wanted to approach her they need to approach her with caution. She was courageous and that is why Comrade Nelson Mandela was attracted to her. We thank her for having been an inspirational woman who inspired women in the country and women within the organisation. She was the type of person that inspired confidence,“ Ramaphosa added.

Ramaphosa is not the only one who has wished the family well as they celebrated Madikizela-Mandela’s 86th birthday. The EFF also paid tribute to the fierce freedom fighter in a statement issued out on Monday.

“It is important to remember that Mama Winnie lived a full life. She was not just a resilient political leader and activist. She was an elder, a mentor, and a provider to the community she proudly served for decades in Soweto. She was a woman of faith in church where she often retreated to find comfort, solace and revive her faith in times of Struggle. When the brutal apartheid government thought they had succeeded in dampening her political spirit and influence by banishing her to Brandfort, she found and built a politically conscious community around her, " the EFF said.