More Than Mrs Mandela

She was an icon of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and an inspiration to millions worldwide

- Di Caelers

Mother of the nation. Prisoner number 1323/69. The death of Ma Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has elicited an outpouring of grief nationally and across the world as supporters mourn the passing of this formidable icon of South Africa’s liberation struggle.

And, in death, as much as in her life, which was marked by pain, suffering, loss and the kind of undeserved humiliation that evokes shock and outrage, her antagonists refuse to stop the insults. As South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday that there would be a full state funeral for Madikizela-Mandela on April 14, her advocates were waging a social media battle in defence of this woman who stood strong, fought hard and never gave up, no matter what new horrors the apartheid government could think up to break her spirit.

Yes, Ma Winnie, as she was affectionately known, was so much more than the wife of global peace icon and South Africa’s first democratic president Nelson Mandela.

She was controversial, she certainly was not always above reproach, but what cannot be denied is that Madikizela-Mandela was a product of her experiences during the dark days of apartheid— none of them good.

Madikizela-Mandela, who died in Netcare Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg, after a long illness, was surrounded by her family, according to an official statement. The news shocked the nation on Easter Monday. She had been hospitalised in January, for treatment of an infection that was affecting her kidneys, but reports were that she was on the mend and expected to make a full recovery.