I remember my mother saying to me during one Mandela Day a few years ago that the day Tata’s will was read, will make for interesting headlines.
Hardly two months have passed after his death and we find the late statesman and his family back in the headlines.
When his will was read earlier this week to anticipating relatives and journalists alike, the omission of his second wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, left some of us thoroughly surprised.
The multi-million Rand estate was distributed among his children, grandchildren, some of his employees, his wife Graca Machel and her children. Even some of the educational institutions he attended during his life benefited from his generosity.
Although many have lauded him for his generosity, I can’t help but wonder how Winnie was overlooked as one of the beneficiaries of his estates. Looking at my Facebook timeline, there are mixed reactions as some people are of the opinion that as the ex-wife (whose claim for half his estate was unsuccessful during their divorce proceedings in 1996) she did not deserve anything as she and Madiba went their separate ways.
The only link they had with each other was their children and grandchildren. I may be swayed by this notion but I strangely tend to agree more with the camp that believes she deserved some sort of acknowledgement (even if it is not monetary) that she was part of his life and more importantly, the woman who ended up having to share her husband with the rest of the country and world.
She married Mandela in 1958 and in 1964 he was sentenced to life imprisonment. He then spent 27 years in prison while Winnie had to, in between being subjected to arrests, torture and constant abuse from the Apartheid government, raise their daughters, Zindzi and Zenani.
While some women have said it was her duty as a woman, mother, wife and parent – I believe it isn’t that simple. Her case is slightly more exceptional.
I wonder how many women would have come out resilient not having their husband by their side under such circumstances. Perhaps I’m reading too much into this exclusion and perhaps Winnie had already made peace with the fact she and Tata had cut their losses.
No reports have surfaced thus far about her (and surprisingly any other family members) contesting the will. Maybe just bearing one of the country’s most important last names is enough for Winnie – nothing will amount to the value of being the wife (ex or otherwise) of a world icon, but I guess a few hundred thousands never hurt anyone.
