April was a very difficult month for the ANC, as many of its leaders died.
We celebrated Freedom Day on 27 April, but April is also when the colonists arrived in this country, so it’s almost a full circle.
Mama Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela-Mandela also died this month.
It is very sad that we have lost Nomzamo. Our condolences and sympathies go to the families. A woman among women has fallen.
Mama Winnie was a woman of great dignity and courage. Many of us worked closely with her and learned from her. She shaped my political outlook, and taught me what I was fighting for, and not to personalise politics. She taught me that people always come first. Her care for the poor was well-known. Not only was she a devoted wife and mother to her own family, she was a mother to us all and an icon. Mama taught me that the people from the informal settlements were our people too.
The ANC stalwart was wholehearted in her dedication to the struggle and the liberation of all South Africans.
I idolised everything related to Madikizela-Mandela, OR Tambo, Nelson Mandela, uMkhonto weSizwe and the ANC. I was one of the luckiest young people as I worked closely with Mama Winnie in those days.
The Krugersdorp Resident Civic Organisation, together with Mama Winnie, worked on various projects in Kagiso and Munsieville which were aimed at improving the lives of the community. Mama was a friend of the poor and the downtrodden, and the true voice for the plight of oppressed women.
To me she was an inspiration. She never saw colour, she saw ideas, and if you cared about the masses in this country you were on her side, and she was eternally loyal to you.
Mama, you earned the title of ‘Mother of the Nation’ and no one could take that away from you.
Thank you, Zenani and Zinzi, for sharing her. Thank you to Sis Zodwa Zwane, the late struggle icon’s personal assistant, and everyone who did the work of the nation by looking after Mama with love and excellence.
Thank you for accepting everyone and opening your hearts to each and every one of us.
Rest in peace, Mama.
