The late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was remembered in Cape Town on Thursday night. People from all walks of life gathered at the St George’s Cathedral for a memorial service.
She was remembered for her unbreakable spirit and for always standing up for what she believed in. Madikizela- Mandela has been remembered for her uncompromising advocacy, her hunger for justice for the oppressed.
Many say they are comforted by her memory. Former Member of Parliament Trevor Manuel says Madikizela- Mandela was a kind of person.
Western Cape Congress of South African Trade Union’s Tony Ehrenreich says she was courageous and she worked with the marginalised all her life.
At 24, she was left to take care of the children while her then husband Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island. However, this is not all Mam Winnie would do, on many occasions she was banned from certain areas and imprisoned because of her defiance to the apartheid system.
Many speakers at the memorial also called on Ma Winnie’s critics to allow her to rest in peace. The Cathedral will be opened to those who want to pay their respects to Mam Winnie.
At the church they can come and lay flowers and write their messages of support – as they remember the struggle icon.
Meanwhile throngs of people continue to visit the home of the late anti-Apartheid struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in Soweto, south of Johannesburg.
Her passing on Monday saw political leaders, prominent business personalities, and members of the clergy converging at her home to offer condolences.
The country is marking 10 days of mourning for the struggle icon with events planned across the country and in many parts of the world.
Chants of liberation struggle songs reverberate outside the homestead of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela across the night.
A tribute to one of the fiery freedom fighter, a famous face of the anti-Apartheid resistance movement, her death has brought together political rivals and fellow comrades who used to despise her militancy during the 80’s, at the height of the anti-Apartheid struggle. She will be buried next week Saturday. Tshepo Ikaneng
Watch the full memorial:
