21/10/2018
Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela [26 September 1936 – 02 April 2018). The Moral Regeneration Movement mourns the passing (02 April 2018) of Mama Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, an outstanding veteran of the liberation struggle and a committed freedom fighter. She fought apartheid and played an active role in the building of ANC underground structures, campaign for international solidarity and internal freedom struggles. She will be remembered as a passionate fighter for women’s emancipation. The Mother of the Nation paid a heavy price for her political convictions, her outspokenness and campaigns for the release of political activists, especially for Robben Island prisoners. Nomzamo was banned, detained and banished to a lonely life in Brandfort in the Free State. Throughout her chequered life, she remained a committed freedom fighter who championed the cause of the masses and the workers. The Chairperson of the MRM, Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, on behalf of the Moral Regeneration Movement staff and Board sends his condolences to the Madikizela and Mandela families, her party the African National Congress, her friends and supporters throughout Africa and the Diaspora. “Mama Winnie was a caring freedom fighter and was always committed to the black struggles of the poor, the unemployed and poorly educated black youths. During the anti-apartheid struggle she spent most of her time tending to the poorest of the poor as a social worker and an all-round servant of the people. When she was banished to Brandfort, she also opened a crèche and a clinic there and cared for poor people. We will deeply miss her overall contribution to the liberation of her people and her commitment to a free, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa,” said Father Mkhatshwa. “We salute Mama Winnie and commit ourselves to honour her revolutionary legacy and hope that the people of South Africa will find a way to immortalise her contribution to our democracy and freedom.”
Rest in peace, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela!
