South African politics have historically been complex, with questions of reconciliation and justice persisting from the apartheid era to the present. Winnie Mandela, ex-wife of President Nelson Mandela, was a figure whose path reflected these complexities. She was active in the struggle against apartheid and embraced controversial methods, leading to both admiration for her defiance and criticism for her actions.
Despite facing allegations of human rights abuses during her activism and later accusations of fraud and theft within the government, Winnie Mandela remained a popular figure among many South Africans, earning the title “Mother of the Nation.”
The Early Life of Winnie Mandela
Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela was born on September 26, 1936, in Bizana, a rural Eastern Cape town. Her parents, Columbus Kokani Madikizela and Nomathamsanqa Mzaidume (Gertrude), were teachers. Her father later served as the Minister of Forestry and Agriculture in the Transkei’s local government. Winnie was the fifth of nine children in a devout Methodist family.
Winnie experienced a period of significant loss during her childhood. First, her older sister tragically died from tuberculosis. Soon after, her mother also succumbed to the same illness. Winnie cared for her newborn brother during this deeply sorrowful time.
The loss of her mother fostered a closer relationship between Winnie and her father, who had previously been a more distant figure. He became a source of support, encouraging her academic pursuits. Winnie found solace and joy in reading.
In 1945, Winnie’s awareness of racial injustice was heightened. Wanting to participate in celebrations for the end of World War II, she and her father traveled to Bizana’s town center, only to find the event restricted to white citizens.
Winnie’s academic achievements led her to Shawbury, where she excelled and was exposed to the political ideologies of many anti-apartheid figures through her teachers. These included Nelson Mandela, whom she would later marry.
Following her successful time at Shawbury, Winnie returned home to discover her father had remarried. She and her siblings welcomed her new stepmother, Hilda Nophikela, into the family.
In 1953, Winnie relocated to Johannesburg to study at the Jan Hofmeyr School of Social Work. The city’s stark demonstration of apartheid’s impact contrasted with her newfound love for Johannesburg. Here, Winnie developed interests in fashion and dance, and she became familiar with Soweto, a township where she witnessed the poverty endured by Black residents.
Winnie and Nelson: A Life Intertwined with South Africa’s History
Winnie Madikizela, after graduating from the Jan Hofmeyr School of Social Work, became the first Black woman to hold the position of medical social worker at Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg, a notable achievement in the era of apartheid.
Her work at Baragwanath led to an introduction to Nelson Mandela, a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement. Their initial meeting, facilitated by friends within the movement, sparked a connection.
In 1958, at the age of 22, Winnie married Nelson Mandela. Their lives were marked by activism and the ongoing struggle against apartheid. Despite constant police surveillance and harassment, their shared commitment to the cause strengthened their bond.
Winnie Mandela’s own activism intensified. In October 1958, she participated in a large-scale protest against South Africa’s discriminatory pass laws. This act of defiance led to her arrest along with over 1,000 other women. Her decision to remain in prison rather than immediately post bail was a powerful statement. While this act cost her job, it solidified her reputation as a dedicated anti-apartheid activist.
Winnie Mandela and Legal Conflict During Apartheid
After Nelson Mandela’s arrest for high treason in 1961 and his subsequent life sentence, Winnie Mandela continued the anti-apartheid movement. The government, recognizing her potential influence, restricted her actions, prohibiting her from addressing large groups. Constant surveillance, including informants within her social circle, led to a profound sense of distrust.
Winnie’s daughters with Nelson, Zenani and Zindziswa, also faced state harassment. They endured expulsions from schools and considerable hardship. Eventually, they were sent to school in Swaziland. In May 1969, authorities raided Winnie’s home while her daughters were present. Winnie was arrested and taken away and charged under the Terrorism Act No. 83, which broadly targeted those suspected of disrupting public order.
Winnie Mandela endured 17 months in prison, including 13 months in solitary confinement. She was subjected to torture by interrogators seeking information about the ANC’s activities. Her trial commenced in December 1969, and she was ultimately acquitted of the charges.
Upon release, Winnie faced further restrictions on her movement and contacts. In 1973, she violated these orders by meeting with Peter Magubane, editor of Drum magazine. Winnie received a 12-month prison sentence but was released after six months.
Throughout the 1970s, Winnie Mandela became a pivotal figure in the anti-apartheid movement. Influenced by Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement, a new generation of young activists joined the struggle against apartheid’s injustices.
Winnie was deeply connected to the South African Student’s Organisation, which spearheaded the 1976 march against the Bantu Education Act. This march evolved into the Soweto Uprising, a mass protest. The demonstrations turned violent, with hundreds of protesters killed by South African Police gunfire. Authorities, seeking a target within the broad uprising, again arrested Winnie Mandela. She was detained for five months without formal charges. Upon release, she was subjected to another banning order.
On May 15, 1977, police apprehended Winnie once more. She was relocated against her will to the remote town of Brandfort in the Orange Free State. The government intended this exile to diminish her political activity and influence.
This attempt failed. Winnie established social work projects to assist the residents of Brandfort. In 1986, when her banishment ended, she returned to Johannesburg and discovered her influence remained strong. She was widely viewed as a powerful leader within the anti-apartheid movement.
However, her actions evolved in a troubling direction. Years of police harassment and surveillance fueled deep paranoia within Winnie. Her personal security detail, the Mandela United Football Club, became known for violent tactics. In December 1989, they kidnapped 14-year-old Stompie Moeketsi and three others on suspicion of being informants. Stompie was tortured and murdered.
Shortly afterward, complex political developments and global pressure led to the release of Winnie’s husband, Nelson Mandela, from prison. Though initially standing in solidarity with her husband, the following months revealed that their experiences had created significant differences between them.
Winnie Mandela was convicted of kidnapping and complicity in the assault of Stompie Moeketsi. She received a six-year prison sentence, which was later reduced to a fine on appeal.
In 1992, Winnie and Nelson Mandela announced their separation.
Following the ANC’s victory in South Africa’s first post-apartheid elections in 1994, Winnie Mandela was appointed as a government minister. She was dismissed from this position a year later due to corruption allegations.
Winnie and Nelson Mandela’s divorce was finalized in 1996.
During this time, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) began its work in South Africa. Winnie Mandela appeared before the TRC and was found responsible for “gross violations of human rights.”
She was re-elected to parliament in 1999. However, further allegations of fraud led to her resignation.
Later Years and Death
Winnie Mandela remained an outspoken public figure in her later years. She generated controversy with her criticisms of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Her international reputation diminished, leading some media outlets to label her with negative terms.
On April 2, 2018, Winnie Mandela passed away at the age of 81 due to complications from a kidney infection. A state funeral followed, with large crowds of mourners in attendance.
Winnie Mandela’s life was marked by a tireless struggle against apartheid authorities. However, this ongoing conflict shaped her into a complex individual, prone to suspicion. She was deeply loved by some and strongly disliked by others. In South Africa’s complex historical landscape, Winnie Mandela remains a figure of intense debate regarding her legacy and role in the nation’s history.
