The African Union (AU) Commission visited South African Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to express its condolence to the family of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and the country as a whole.
Humble, selfless, great – these are just some of the many words used to describe Madikizela-Mandela by African Union officials when they paid their respects in Addis-Ababa. The team was led by female African Ambassadors.
“All of Africa rejoices. And even here today people were singing, they were singing and they were happy and remembering everything she has done. We loved her and we will always remember her,” said Naimi Hamza Aziz, Ambassador of Tanzania to Ethiopia.
” All generations to come will know that they have survived and they can look forward to a good future when they read her history and whatever she did. It is inspiring,” said ambassador of Zambia to Ethiopia, Susan Sikaneta.
All who spoke referred to Winnie as ” mama” an expression of respect.
” She paved the way and we need to recognize that, so her effort will not be in vain. You know Winnie all of us admired her for her beauty, her grace, an African woman but with brains and also kindness,” says AU special Representative for Women in Peace, Pops Bineta Diop.
“She visited Ghana and she said something which was significant. She said she had come to Accra to tell Kwame Nkuruma’s people that a last state to be free in Africa was finally Free. Since then she has received several awards her children and grandchildren have glorified her name. And we, in African Union, feel very privileged to be associated with her, ” said Deputy Chairperson AUC, Kwesi Quartey.
In 2017 the African Union awarded Madikizela-Mandela a Lifetime Achievement for her role in fighting apartheid and empowering women.
“Mama Winnie was bigger than South Africa. That is one thing that people will always have to remember that she was bigger than South Africa. Mama Winnie represented struggle against all for injustice – whether it is gender-based injustice, whether racial-based injustice, whether it was class-based injustice and all that,” said South African Ambassador to Ethiopia,Ndumiso Ntshinga.
“As part of the younger generation, we are deeply inspired by the works she did by her resilience, her commitment and love for Africa, ” said AU’s Director for Women Affairs,” Mahawa Kaba-Wheeler.
The African Union promises to keep her legacy alive.
