Indlezana is no more Indlezana emibele ibhonxileyo iwile. Isizwe silahlekelwe. Xolani sizwe sakuthi kuba liyophumla iqhawekazi, Ngokwenene uye kwilizwe lamaqhawe Apho kaloku kulele khona izithwalandwe zeli lizwe Abalwel’inkululeko abafana naye Kaloku balapho oo Sisulu, balapho noo Slovo.
The sudden passing-on of the Mother of South Africa’s liberation struggle Mama Nomzamo Winnifred Madikizela-Mandela on the 02nd of April 2018 is a loss to the Nelson Mandela Museum, the Nation and to the Madikizela and the Mandela family. Indeed the African continent has lost an iconic figure, an epitome of black women struggles. Mama Winnie would be remembered in a number of ways. She epitomized motherhood. She is remembered for her sterling contribution towards South Africa’s liberation struggle. Mama Winnie epitomized the black struggles. A mother to the orphans whose parents were killed by apartheid police. Married to Tata Nelson Mandela, she was forced to raise her children without him as he was imprisoned on Robben Island. While her husband was in jail, she was also imprisoned in many South African prisons and to the extent of being banished from her home. As a mother, political conditions in South Africa did not allow her to enjoy her motherhood. Her passing-on came at a time when South African government has declared 2018 as a year to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s Centenary, who would have turned 100 years old. The museum is aware that the story of Madiba is interwoven with that of Mama Winnie. One of the plans to honour Madiba’s Centennial would be an exhibition dedicated to the life and times of Mama Winnie, as Madiba’s partner. From the time she married Nelson Mandela she knew what she was getting herself into. By marrying Nelson Mandela, Mama Winnie knew that she was marrying a freedom fighter and with its package of being involved in politics. While many were in exile others in jail, Mama Winnie kept the fire burning. She inspired the young and old, male and female. She redefined the role of women as she led from the front. Her commitment to the struggle for Freedom, Justice and Human Rights is something that is shared and celebrated by all South Africans. Let all South Africans also remember her a social worker whose image was tainted by the apartheid police as they cast aspersions on her. Nelson Mandela Museum salutes her bravery for standing against persecution and banishment. MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE
