Johannesburg - The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) have claimed Struggle hero Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as their own in a fiery backlash against their political rivals.
The occasion was her 78th birthday celebrations on Friday in legendary Vilakazi Street, Soweto, where she once shared married life with Nelson Mandela. But while tourists padded about, Madikizela-Mandela herself was silent.
She will only speak again in public after December 5, paying attention to the custom surrounding the first anniversary of Mandela’s death on that day. Yet perhaps that was appropriate.
Madikizela-Mandela supported EFF leader Julius Malema during the ANC’s disciplinary proceedings against him two years ago before he was expelled as ANCYL leader and from the party. Her silence on Friday meant she could not be put on the spot as ANCYL national convener Mzwandile Masina said the ANCYL would “not parade ourselves... in red berets”, stating that “mama”, Madikizela-Mandela, “had nothing to do with that”.
Flanking her at a table where an enormous birthday cake awaited the knife, Masina and MKMVA national chairman Kebby Maphatsoe reinforced her position as belonging to the ANC. Masina in particular made several references to the EFF and Malema, without naming the party or its leader.
“When you do wrong things, you mustn’t do them in the name of Mama Winnie Madiba,” he said, warning that “anyone who sought to claim her must do so in the name of the ANC.. she is not going to be seen wearing the red beret anytime soon.”
The crowd gathered in a marquee to celebrate with Madikizela-Mandela, roared their approval as the mood then turned to support of President Jacob Zuma and Speaker Baleka Mbete, with the media being blamed for “attacks” on them.
Throughout, Madikizela-Mandela remained regal, looking as elegant as ever. She seemed especially delighted when veteran ANC cameraman and archivist Rapitse Montsho spoke about Umkhonto we Sizwe’s legacy projects. In keeping with the event, which was hosted by the MKMVA, she was described as a militant and a soldier.
Madikizela-Mandela’s birthday gift was a framed photograph of her in full combat gear, taken by Montsho in 1990 when she visited MK’s Nkabinde camp in Uganda.
It was probably apt that the afternoon ended on a more tender note, with activist Criselda Kananda saying: “You don’t have to speak anymore. You’ve said the right words... We wish you peace. You’ve done the fighting.”
Saturday Star