Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma on Monday wished struggle stalwart and African National Congress veteran Winnie Madikizela-Mandela a “happy 80th birthday”.
“On behalf of government and the nation as a whole, I would to like convey our good wishes and hearty congratulations to you as you turn 80 years old today (September 26)...,” said Zuma in a statement issued by the Presidency.
“You dedicated your adult life to the struggle for liberation and sacrificed life’s comforts, flying the flag for freedom and fighting repression, injustice and inequality valiantly and courageously. You raised your children single-handedly with Tata Nelson Mandela in prison, facing banning, banishment, imprisonment and ongoing harassment by the security police.
“Your resilience and tenacity of spirit in the face of this most brutal onslaught on your person and family, including demonisation by the apartheid regime will always serve as a reminder especially to the young members of our nation, that the freedom that we enjoy today was not free,” said Zuma.
The president also commended Madikizela-Mandela for remaining unwavering in the quest for a better society, a free, united, non-sexist, non-racial, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
“Thank you for remaining unwavering in standing with the poor and downtrodden at all times. We are grateful for the gift of your life,” said Zuma.
“We wish you a happy warm enjoyable birthday today. May you have many more and continue to serve as an inspiration to the whole nation, especially the youth.”
On Thursday last week Madikizela-Mandela said South Africa needed fresh leadership, but stopped short of asking Zuma to resign.
On Sunday afternoon Vilakazi Street in Soweto was painted green and gold as the ANC Women’s League hosted a mega party for Madikizela-Mandela.
The partygoers were treated to cupcakes, song, dance and praise poetry as the Struggle stalwart looked on happily.
Her great-grandchildren accompanied Madikizela-Mandela to the lively gig and were entertained along with the crowd by maskandi performers and singers.
There was a special performance by women from the Chinese Business Women’s Association who, dressed in traditional Chinese outfits, danced gently while twirling colourful paper umbrellas.
Another international guest was Ventrice Morgan, a Jamaican reggae singer better know as Queen Ifrica, who performed a song for Madikizela-Mandela. Morgan is infamous for the homophobic comments she made in her home country in 2013.
The day was marked by a short address by ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini, who said that though they didn’t have a name to announce yet, the ANC was ready for a woman president.
“Forgive us, we didn’t understand things back then,” she said, referring to when Madikizela-Mandela declined nomination for ANC deputy president in 1997. She added: “Young women must learn resilience from Mama Winnie.”
African News Agency and The Star