Winnie Madikizela Mandela Remembered In What Would Have Been Her 86th Birthday
Winnie Madikizela Mandela Remembered In What Would Have Been Her 86th Birthday. On this day 86 years ago one of the most powerful women in South Africa was born. The woman in question is the late Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who was born on the 26 September in 1936.
Although she is the former wife of the first democratic President Nelson Rolihlahla Madiba Mandela, Mma’ Winnie was remarkable on her own merit. Among many other things, Mam’ Winnie was an anti-apartheid activist and politician. She also served as a Member of Parliament from 1994 to 2003, and from 2009 until her death, and was a deputy minister of arts and culture from 1994 to 1996.
As a member of the African National Congress (ANC) political party, Mam’ Winnie served on the ANC’s National Executive Committee and headed its Women’s League. After her then husband, Mandela was imprisoned following the Rivonia Trial, she became his public face during the 27 years he spent in jail. During that period Mam’ Winnie was detained by apartheid state security services on various occasions, tortured, subjected to banning orders, banished to a rural town, and spent several months in solitary confinement.
Mam’ Winnie, who was regarded by many of her supporters as Mother of the Nation, sadly died in a hospital at age 81 after a long illness in April 2018. As today is the day she was born, she is trending on Twitter with special tributes. The likes of EFF leader Julius Malema and other prominent people, still hold Mam’ Winnie in high regard even though she is no more. Remembering her on this day is one way they are showing how much they valued her.
