Late Winnie Mandela: One of Africa’s greatest icons – Activist

Late Winnie Mandela: One of Africa’s greatest icons – Activist
By Talatu Maiwada
Winnie
Abuja, April 3, 2018 (NAN) Ms Inimfon Etuk, Founder, She Forum Africa, an NGO, has described the death of Mrs Winnie Mandela, as a big loss of one of Africa’s greatest icons of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
Etuk, who doubles as an activist, said this while reacting to the death of Winnie in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
She said Winnie dedicated most of her adult life to the cause of the people and for this was known far and wide as the `Mother of the Nation’.
She said the legacy highlighted in the life of Winnie was the age old prism that freedom had a price.
According to Etuk, Winnie fought valiantly against the apartheid state and sacrificed the best and most productive part of her life for the freedom of her country.
“Despite that her activism and resistance to apartheid landed her in jail on numerous occasions, eventually causing her banishment to the small town of Brandfort in the then Orange Free State.
“The struggle was largely to her credit, that the memory of her then imprisoned husband, Nelson Mandela, was kept alive during his years on Robben Island.
“A feat which also helped give the struggle for justice in South Africa one of its most recognisable faces with resultant global attention, support and eventual positive outcomes,’’ she said.
Etuk noted that Winnie may have had her flaws as an individual like all humans however she was exemplary in her ability to carefully identify her cause.
She said Winnie choose her battles and demonstrated the commitment and resilience it required to stay the course with a visible and amplified voice for social good.
“These are attributes that are still relevant for today’s woman if gender parity and social justice must be fully attained.
“Her battles were not only about Nelson Mandela’s freedom, it was about total liberation and value of life for humanity.
“Winnie was already laying the foundation for Agenda 5050 by 2030 through her vocal activism.
“As we bid her good night, it is our prayer that history will do justice to the memory of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela,’’ Etuk said. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola