The Democratic Alliance (DA) took its election campaign to Soweto and visited the woman who spent 10 years of her life working for the late struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Easter Monday marks a year since Mama Winnie passed away. Her former personal assistant Zodwa Zwane was on her bedside on that fateful Monday.

The DA says the visit is to thank Zwane for taking care of Madikizela-Mandela.

This campaigning by the DA somehow went wrong, Madikizela-Mandela’s former PA Zodwa Zwane came dressed in full African National Congress regalia, “I am sending a statement that this is who I am. I am ANC,” said Zwane. 

The two held parallel views even on the issue of naming the Cape Town International airport after Madikezela-Mandela.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane says, “As the party, of course, we voted against the motion because we think Cape Town is an appropriate name for the airport. But it doesn’t mean that Joburg which is where she comes from is not doing something, because we are not opposed to the honouring of mam Winnie. We are just saying let’s find the appropriate way of doing it.”

Zodwa Zwane says, “She is one of those that cannot be forgotten. You know if the airport could be named after her, I would be very excited; so it is my wish that it happens.”

To Zwane, this day is a reminder that Madikizela-Mandela, her sister in Christ, is really no more.

The DA says the visit was not aimed at convincing Zwane to join the DA, but wanted to acknowledge her work and show political tolerance.