Cyril: Mother of the Nation was a ‘fearless fighter, leader’

President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday described Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as a fearless leader who never gave up, never betrayed the organisation and was always there for the needy – an icon who hated state capture and corruption.

Ramaphosa was speaking from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s hometown of Mbizana, where he paid tribute to her on behalf of the government and the ANC.

He used the opportunity to call upon the thousands who filled the Mphuthumi Mafumbata Stadium in Mbizana and the millions who watched the proceedings on television to remember Madikizela-Mandela by fighting corruption, abuse of women and patriarchy.

The memorial service, which was attended by leaders of various political organisations, including the DA, UDM, Inkatha Freedom Party, IAC, EFF, COPE and others, was organised by the ANC and the Eastern Cape provincial government.

“She was the Mother of the Nation because she cared for all and hated corruption and state capture. The title of Mother of Nation was befitting and she carried it with respect and honour,” Ramaphosa said.

“While we are here to mourn the passing on of Mama Winnie we are also here to celebrate her life – a life that was well lived and dedicated to the improvement of others. She was a symbol of hope to many of us.”

The president said Madikizela-Mandela had suffered extreme torture and humiliation but never surrendered. He warned those who had demonised Madikizela-Mandela’s revolutionary struggle to rethink their assertions.

Thousands of people from the rural villages of Mbizana converged in the town of Bizana to honour their hometown hero.

Young and old came in their numbers to share fond memories about Madikizela-Mandela.

Cooperative governance MEC Fikile Xasa attended in his capacity as acting premier, along with other MECs, government ministers, clergymen and royals.

Delivering his eulogy, Ramaphosa said: “Mama Winnie’s spirit was never broken. Winnie never gave up. Winnie never betrayed the struggle. Winnie never sold out. She never betrayed her people. She emerged from a situation meant to break her even stronger, more courageous and more powerful.”

Ramaphosa said Madikizela-Mandela stood firm against any form of corruption and state capture.

“If there was anything Mama Winnie hated, it was corruption and this thing, this demon that has come into our midst now called state capture. She hated state corruption and state capture.

“I am making this point about Mama Winnie being a product of her time because there are some within our borders and beyond who have sought to demonise her character,” said the President.

Speaking on behalf of the Madikizela family, Thembelani Madikizela said the family were content with Madikizela-Mandela being divorced from her famous husband as it allowed her to focus on her family as both mother and father to the young children of the Madikizelas.

“We never worried that she was divorced – it did not bother us at all because we knew that she would come and spend time with us, play the role of a father and a mother.”

Madikizela urged Ramaphosa to pursue the development programmes that Madikizela-Mandela initiated.

He said the family would continue to uphold the legacy of his aunt. “It’s much better to light a candle than to keep complaining about the darkness, and we should also become agents of change,” said Madikizela.

DA MPL Edmund van Vuuren said Madikizela-Mandela was outstanding in the fight against apartheid.

“Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will always remain a struggle icon in South African history, let us never forget that. We will always respect those who understand why she fearlessly fought for our freedom,” he said.

Ramaphosa brought hope and smiles to the villagers of Mbhongweni where he met them and the Madikizela family.

Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana also applauded the role played by Madikizela-Mandela, saying that as a princess of AmaMpondo, she never disappointed them.

He said he would have liked Madikizela-Mandela to be buried in Qunu, near her late former husband Nelson Mandela. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za