Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

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Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
200px
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in August 2014
Member of the South African Parliament
In office
9 May 2009 – 2 April 2018
Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
In office
1994–1996
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Pallo Jordan
Derek Hanekom
Personal details
Born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela
(1936-09-26)26 September 1936
Bizana, Pondoland, South Africa
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Spouse(s) Nelson Mandela (m. 1958; div. 1996)
Children Zenani (b. 1958)
Zindziwa (b. 1960)
Alma mater University of South Africa

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Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, OLS (born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela on September 26, 1936 [1] – died on April 2, 2018 [2]), also known as Winnie Mandela, was a far-left South African anti-apartheid activist and politician, and the ex-wife of Nelson Mandela. She served as a Member of Parliament from 1994 until her death, and was a deputy minister from 1994 to 1996. A member of the African National Congress (ANC) political party, she served on the ANC’s National Executive Committee and headed its Women's League. Madikizela-Mandela was known to her supporters as the "Mother of the Nation".[3]

Born to a Xhosa family in Bizana, and a qualified social worker, Madikizela-Mandela married anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg in 1958; they remained married for 38 years and had two children together. In 1963, after Mandela was imprisoned following the Rivonia Trial; she became his public face during the 27 years he spent in jail. During that period, she rose to prominence within the domestic anti-apartheid movement. She was detained by apartheid state security services on various occasions, subjected to banning orders, banished to a rural town, and spent several months in solitary confinement.

In the mid-1980s Madikizela-Mandela exerted a "reign of terror" in Soweto, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) established by Mandela’s government to investigate human rights abuses revealed many of her violent activities during that period. The TRC had found Madikizela-Mandela to have been "politically and morally accountable for the gross violations of human rights committed by the "Mandela United Football Club", her security detail.[3][4] Madikizela-Mandela endorsed violent behaviour; including necklacing against alleged police informers and collaborators with the National Party government. Her security detail carried out a number of these actions, including the kidnapping, torture, and murder of such individuals, most notoriously the teenager Stompie Moeketsi.[3][5]

Nelson Mandela was released from prison on 11 February 1990, and the couple separated in 1992; their divorce was finalised in March 1996. They remained in contact, and she visited him when he was ill in later life.[6] As a senior ANC figure, she took part in the post-apartheid ANC government, although was dismissed from her post amid allegations of corruption. In 2003, she was convicted of theft and fraud. She temporarily retreated from active political involvement, returning several years later.[citation needed]

Early life

Her Xhosa name was Nomzamo ("She who tries"). She was born in the village of Mbongweni,[7] Bizana, Pondoland, in what is now the Eastern Cape Province. She was the fourth of eight children, seven sisters and a brother. Her parents, Columbus and Gertrude, were both teachers. Columbus was a history teacher and a headmaster, and Gertrude was a domestic science teacher. Gertrude died when Winnie was nine years old, resulting in the break-up of her family when the siblings were sent to live with different relatives. Madikizela-Mandela went on to become the head girl at her high school in Bizana. On leaving school, she went to Johannesburg to study social work at the Jan Hofmeyr School, despite restrictions on the education of blacks during the apartheid era.[8] She earned a degree in social work in 1956, and several years later earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of the Witwatersrand. She held a number of jobs in various parts of what was then the Bantustan of Transkei; including with the Transkei government, living at various points of time at Bizana, Shawbury and Johannesburg. Her first job was as a social worker at Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.[9]

Marriage/children

She met the lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in 1957, when he was still married to Evelyn Mase.[10] She was 22 years old and standing at a bus stop in Soweto when Mandela first saw her and charmed her, securing a lunch date the following week.[6] They got married in 1958 and had two daughters, Zenani (born 1958) and Zindziwa (born 1960). Mandela was arrested and jailed in 1963, and was not released until 1990. The couple separated in 1992. They finalised their divorce in March 1996 with an unspecified out-of-court settlement. Her attempt to obtain a settlement up to US$5million (R70 million) — half of what she claimed her ex-husband was worth — was dismissed when she failed to appear in court for a settlement hearing.[11] When asked in a 1994 interview about the possibility of reconciliation, she said: "I am not fighting to be the country's First Lady. In fact, I am not the sort of person to carry beautiful flowers and be an ornament to everyone."[12]

Apartheid

Due to her political activities, Winnie was regularly detained by the National Party government. She was tortured, subjected to house arrest, kept under surveillance, held in solitary confinement for over a year and even banished to a remote town.[6] She emerged as a leading opponent of apartheid during the later years of her husband's imprisonment (August 1963 – February 1990). For many of those years, she was exiled to the town of Brandfort in the Orange Free State and confined to the area, except for when she was allowed to visit her husband at Robben Island. Beginning in 1969, she spent eighteen months in solitary confinement at Pretoria Central Prison.[13] It was at this time that Winnie Mandela became well known in the Western world. She organised local clinics, campaigned actively for equal rights and was promoted by the ANC as a symbol of their struggle against apartheid.[14] In a leaked letter to Jacob Zuma in October 2008, outgoing President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki alluded to the role the ANC had created for her in their anti-apartheid activism:

In the context of the global struggle for the release of political prisoners in our country, our movement took a deliberate decision to profile Nelson Mandela as the representative personality of these prisoners, and therefore to use his personal political biography, including the persecution of his then wife, Winnie Mandela, dramatically to present to the world and the South African community the brutality of the apartheid system.[15]

In 1985, Mrs. Mandela won the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award along with fellow activists Allan Boesak and Beyers Naudé for their human rights work in South Africa. The Award is given annually by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights to an individual or group whose courageous activism is at the heart of the human rights movement and in the spirit of Robert F. Kennedy's vision and legacy.[16] She received a Candace Award for Distinguished Service from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in 1988.[17]

Violence and criminal proceedings

During a speech in Munsieville on 13 April 1986, Winnie Mandela endorsed the practice of necklacing (burning people alive using tyres and petrol) by saying: "With our boxes of matches and our necklaces we shall liberate this country."[18] Further tarnishing her reputation were accusations by her bodyguard, Jerry Musivuzi Richardson, that she had ordered kidnapping and murder.[19] On 29 December 1988, Richardson, who was coach of the so-called Mandela United Football Club (MUFC), which acted as Mrs. Mandela's personal security detail, abducted 14-year-old James Seipei (also known as Stompie Moeketsi) and three other youths from the home of a Methodist minister, Rev. Paul Verryn, claiming she had the youths taken to her home because she suspected the reverend was sexually abusing them. The four were beaten to get them to admit to having had sex with the minister. Seipei was accused of being an informer, and his body later found in a field with stab wounds to the throat on 6 January 1989.[20][21] In 1988, her home was burned by residents of Soweto, possibly as retaliation for the actions of the Mandela United Football Club.[22]

In 1991, she was acquitted of all but the kidnapping.[6] Her six-year jail sentence was reduced to a fine on appeal. The final report of the South African Truth and Reconciliation commission, issued in 1998, found "Ms Winnie Madikizela Mandela politically and morally accountable for the gross violations of human rights committed by the MUFC" and that she "was responsible, by omission, for the commission of gross violations of human rights."[4] In 1992, she was accused of ordering the murder of Dr. Abu-Baker Asvat, a family friend who had examined Seipei at Mandela's house, after Seipei had been abducted but before he had been killed.[23] Mandela's role was later probed as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, in 1997.[24] She was said to have paid the equivalent of $8,000 and supplied the firearm used in the killing, which took place on 27 January 1989.[25] The hearings were later adjourned amid claims that witnesses were being intimidated on Winnie Mandela's orders.[26]

Transition to democracy

Winnie Mandela with Nelson Mandela, Alberto Chissano and his daughter Cidalia in Museu Galeria Chissano, Mozambique, 1990

During South Africa's transition to multi-racial democracy, she adopted a far less conciliatory attitude than her husband did towards white South Africans. She was seen on her husband's arm when he was released in February 1990, the first time the couple had been seen in public for nearly 30 years, but the Mandelas' 38-year marriage ended when they split up in April 1992 after it was revealed she had been unfaithful to her husband during his imprisonment. Their divorce was finalised in March 1996. She then adopted the surname "Madikizela-Mandela". Appointed Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in May 1994, she was dismissed 11 months later following allegations of corruption.[27][28]

She remained extremely popular amongst many ANC supporters, however. In December 1993 and April 1997, she was elected president of the ANC Women's League, although she withdrew her candidacy for ANC Deputy President at the movement's Mafikeng conference in December 1997. Earlier in 1997, she appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Archbishop Desmond Tutu as chairman of the commission recognised her importance in the anti-apartheid struggle, but exhorted her to apologise and to admit her mistakes. In a guarded response, she admitted "things went horribly wrong".[29]

Legal problems

On 24 April 2003, Winnie Mandela was convicted on 43 counts of fraud and 25 of theft, and her broker, Addy Moolman, was convicted on 58 counts of fraud and 25 of theft. Both had pleaded not guilty. The charges related to money taken from loan applicants' accounts for a funeral fund, but from which the applicants did not benefit. Madikizela-Mandela was sentenced to five years in prison.[30] Shortly after the conviction, she resigned from all leadership positions in the ANC, including her parliamentary seat and the presidency of the ANC Women's League.[31] In July 2004, an appeal judge of the Pretoria High Court ruled that "the crimes were not committed for personal gain". The judge overturned the conviction for theft, but upheld the one for fraud, handing her a three years and six months suspended sentence.[32]

In June 2007, the Canadian High Commission in South Africa declined to grant Winnie Mandela a visa to travel to Toronto, where she was scheduled to attend a gala fundraising concert organised by arts organisation MusicaNoir, which included the world premiere of The Passion of Winnie, an opera based on her life.[33]

Return to politics

Madikizela-Mandela in 2008

When the ANC announced the election of its National Executive Committee on 21 December 2007, Madikizela-Mandela placed first with 2,845 votes.[34][35]

Apology to riot victims

Madikizela-Mandela criticised the anti-immigrant violence in May–June 2008 that began in Johannesburg and spread throughout the country, and blamed the government's lack of suitable housing provisions for the sentiments behind the riots.[36] She apologised to the victims of the riots[37] and visited the Alexandra township. She offered her home as shelter for an immigrant family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She warned that the perpetrators of the violence could strike at the Gauteng train system.[38]

2009 general election

Madikizela-Mandela secured fifth place on the ANC's electoral list for the 2009 general election, behind party president and immediate former President of South Africa Jacob Zuma, former President Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President Baleka Mbete, and Finance Minister Trevor Manuel. An article in The Observer suggested her position near the top of the list indicated that the party's leadership saw her as a valuable asset in the election with regard to solidifying support among the party's grassroots and the poor.[39]

2010 interview with Nadira Naipaul

In 2010, Madikizela-Mandela was interviewed by Nadira Naipaul. In the interview, she attacked her ex-husband, claiming that he had "let blacks down", that he was only "wheeled out to collect money", and that he is "nothing more than a foundation". She further attacked his decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize with FW De Klerk. Among other things, she reportedly claimed Mandela was no longer "accessible" to her daughters. She referred to Archbishop Tutu, in his capacity as the head of the Truth and Reconciliation commission, as a "cretin".[40]

The interview attracted media attention,[41][42] and the ANC announced that it would ask her to explain her comments regarding Nelson Mandela.[43] On 14 March 2010, a statement was issued on behalf of Winnie Mandela claiming that the interview was a fabrication.[44]

In popular culture

Tina Lifford played her in the 1997 TV film Mandela and de Klerk. Sophie Okonedo portrayed her in the BBC drama Mrs Mandela, first broadcast on BBC Four on 25 January 2010.[45] Jennifer Hudson played her in Winnie Mandela, directed by Darrell Roodt, released in Canada by D Films on 16 September 2011. Roodt, Andre Pieterse, and Paul L. Johnson based the film's script on Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob's biography, Winnie Mandela: A Life.[46] The Creative Workers Union of South Africa opposed the choice of Hudson in the title role, saying the use of foreign actors to tell the country's stories undermined efforts to develop the national film industry.[47][48]

Mandela was again portrayed in the 2013 film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom by actress Naomie Harris (British actor Idris Elba played Nelson Mandela). On viewing the film, Madikizela-Mandela told Harris it was "the first time she felt her story had been captured on film". Gugulethu okaMseleku, writing in The Guardian, stated that the film had returned Winnie Mandela to her rightful place, recognising her role in "the struggle" that, "for South African women… was more fundamental than her husband's."[49]

Honorary degree

In January 2018, the University Council and University Senate of Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, approved the award of an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree to Winnie Nomzano Madikizela-Mandela, in recognition of her fight against apartheid in South Africa.[50][51]

Death

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela died at the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on 2 April 2018. Her death was confirmed by her personal assistant, Zodwa Zwane. The cause of her death was a “long-term illness”, according to her family. The USA Magazine[clarification needed] reported: "Mandela was admitted to the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg over the weekend after complaining of the flu. Her spokesperson said in a statement to the state broadcaster that the politician—who also suffered from diabetes and recently underwent several major surgeries, 'had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year.'."[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Winnie Mandela. nndb.com
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/winnie-mandela-dead-madikizela-nelson-wife-life-story-obituary-anc-football-club-soweto-apartheid-a8285581.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/27/southafrica.andrewmalone
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Madikizela-Mandela profile. Sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Bodies probably won't bury Winnie M&G. 15 March 2013
  22. ↑ http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/winnie-mandela039s-soweto-home-reported-burnt-down
  23. ↑ "South Africa Police Order Full Probe Of Mandela Charge", The Christian Science Monitor, 9 April 1992.
  24. ↑ "Winnie may face fresh murder charge", The Independent, 28 November 1997
  25. ↑ "Panel Hears Evidence Winnie Mandela Sought Doctor's Death", The New York Times, 2 December 1997.
  26. ↑ Winnie hearing adjourned after intimidation claims. BBC. 1 December 1997.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/28/world/winnie-mandela-out-of-cabinet-for-defying-presidential-orders.html
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Newly-elected National Executive Committee Archived 25 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine, ANC Website. Retrieved 21 December 2007
  35. ↑ Winnie Mandela tops ANC election list Archived 2 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, The Times, 21 December 2007
  36. ↑ "Winnie speaks out on SA's issues". Iol.co.za (30 May 2008). Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  37. ↑ Hawley, Caroline. (16 May 2008) Refugees flee South Africa attacks. BBC News. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  38. ↑ "S. Africa attacks may spread to trains – Mandela ex-wife"[permanent dead link]. Reuters (9 February 2009). Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  39. ↑ Winnie set for shock comeback to ANC politics. The Guardian. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  40. ↑ Naipaul, Nadira (8 March 2010) "How Nelson Mandela betrayed us, says ex-wife Winnie" Archived 10 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine. London Evening Standard.
  41. ↑ "Winnie Mandela accuses Nelson of letting down South Africa's blacks". The Telegraph, 14 March 2010
  42. ↑ Fernandez, Colin (9 March 2010) "Winnie Mandela accuses Nelson of 'betraying' the blacks of South Africa". Daily Mail
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ "'Ms Naipaul is a liar and a fraud'". Times Live/Sunday Times, 14 March 2010
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Fleming, Michael. (17 November 2009) "Jennifer Hudson to star in 'Winnie'". Variety.
  47. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy. (7 December 2009) South African Actors Up In Arms over Hudson Casting | Movie News. Hollywood.com.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Further readings

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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Preceded by Rector of the University of Glasgow
1987–1990		 Succeeded by
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