Winnie Mandela
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Abbreviations
ANC: African National Congress
AZAPO: Azanian People’s Organisation
BOSS: Bureau of State Security
BPA: Black Parents’ Association
COSATU: Congress of South African Trade Unions
MCC: Mandela Crisis Committee
MDM: Mass Democratic Movement
MK: Umkhonto we Sizwe, armed wing of the ANC
MUFC: Mandela United Football Club
NDPP: National Directorate of Public Prosecutions
NEUM: Non-European Unity Movement
NUSAS: National Union of South African Students
PAC: Pan Africanist Congress
PFP: Progressive Federal Party
PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder
SACP: South African Communist Party
SADF: South African Defence Force
SAP: South African Police
SASO: South African Students’ Organisation
SOYCO: Soweto Youth Congress
SSRC: Soweto Students’ Representative Council
TRC: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
UBC: Urban Bantu Council
UDF: United Democratic Front
Glossary
Amandla!: power
assegai: spear
baas: boss
iHlambo: royal mourning ritual, requiring Zulu warriors to ‘wash’ their spears in enemy blood
impi: regiment of Zulu warriors
inqubebe: traditional soap made from herbs
inyanga: witch doctor
isidwebe: traditional cowhide skirt worn by Xhosa maidens
iziduko: tribes or clans
kaffir: derogatory term for blacks, now outlawed in South Africa as hate speech
karos: blanket made from animal skins
kraal: rural settlement or cattle pen
lobola: bride price, traditionally paid by potential bridegroom to bride’s father in cattle
Mayibuye!: it must return (political slogan as in Mayibuye iAfrika! – Africa must return)
meid: derogatory term for a black woman
mfecane: literally ‘the crushing’, used to describe bloody conquests of Zulu king, Shaka
mlungu: white person
muntu: black person
muti: medicine or potion made up by witch doctor
Ngawethu!: to the people (traditional response to ANC slogan Amandla!)
rondavel: traditional round dwelling with clay walls and thatched roof
shebeen: illicit township beer house
tsotsis: street thugs
ubuntu: spirit of mutual support, caring for the well-being of others
uluzi: indigenous grass used to weave traditional sleeping mats
umphokoqo: traditional Xhosa dish of sour milk and coarse maize meal porridge
veld: open country or grassland
Nelson and Winnie Mandela on their wedding day on 14 June 1958
With her daughters Zeni and Zindzi in 1975
Winnie and Reverend Buthelezi at the funeral of Hector Petersen, the first victim in the Soweto uprising
Winnie was exiled to the small Free State town of Brandfort, 400 kilometres away from her home in Soweto
At her home in Brandfort
Winnie and Zindzi
Winnie and others give the Black Power salute at a rally in 1985
Nelson and Winnie at home in Soweto in 1990
Winnie and TRC chairperson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Arriving late for a rally on 16 June 2001, Winnie greets President Thabo Mbeki, before he pushes her aside and knocks off her cap. The incident confirmed the sour relations between the two
Acknowledgements
FROM THE TIME when I wrote
my first poem at the age of ten, I wanted to be a writer. Even then I was fascinated by the mystique of creating a picture from words. It also seemed like a romantic kind of life. Since then, I have learned that being a writer is extremely hard work, and a lonely occupation.
The Dalai Lama said one could measure the importance of something in your life by what you were prepared to sacrifice for it, and if I have committed any excess in the pursuit of my dream, it has been to sacrifice too much rather than too little.
Many people have provided me with inestimable support, friendship and encouragement. It is, unfortunately, impossible to name everyone who has contributed in some way towards this book. One of the many people the world over who touched and enriched my life was Sergio Vieira de Mello, who died in a terrorist attack on the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad while I was writing these acknowledgements. He was a man of peace and compassion, and the world is the poorer for having lost him. I am indebted to him and the many other people who have in any way shared in my experiences.
Writing this book became a vast journey of discovery. The circumstances and subject matter acted as a catalyst that fused many different components and turned this period into arguably the most enlightening time of my life. The people closest to me played a significant role in this experience, and I am forever indebted to them for their unconditional love and enormous support, and their commitment to and pride in this endeavour, which added an important element of inspiration.
My family is an important haven, both physically and emotionally, and my children and grandchildren are the focus and essence of my life. My son John, my daughter Annéne, and their spouses Trish and Ian, have supported me with endless love, prayers, and physical and financial support. My granddaughters, Mila and Yasmin, are a constant source of comfort and abundant joy. They have added new meaning to my life, and I am eagerly looking forward to my third grandchild, scheduled to arrive in the world at the same time as this book. My mother speeded up the conveyor belt that provides loads of her delicious aniseed rusks and homemade jams, armfuls of fresh vegetables and fragrant roses grown with loving hands. My late father’s legacy – a social conscience and sense of morality – was a shield against significant political and social pressure: in South Africa, in Bosnia, in life. My siblings, as my first companions and fellow travellers, have left indelible imprints on my life, and continue to do so. My late sister Erna was unapologetically her own person, and I admired her eccentric and vivacious spirit and boundless generosity. My sister Deona has been a long-suffering sounding board and source of advice and support, and my brother-in-law Johan pitched in to keep me afloat financially. My brother Johann is always a calm and steady anchor in the sea of women.
I owe a great deal to John and Annéne, my parents, Erna, Deona, Johann, my niece Anlin and my nephew Neil, who all shouldered a share of my family responsibilities while I was travelling the world and pursuing justice for all.
George and Yvonne Lees, co-grandparents to Mila, sponsored me for half a year, and their exceptional generosity both humbled me and made it possible to remain in a room of my own.
I am sincerely grateful to Chris (Chameleon) Mulder, for giving me wings, Armin Bezdrob for support while I was doing my ‘apprenticeship’, and Max du Preez for his encouragement, research material, information and advice.
My extensive circle of devoted and nurturing friends enthusiastically aided and abetted me, offered moral support, advice, prayers and encouragement. In addition to moral support, I also received crucial financial assistance, without which I could not have continued, from my loyal friends Frankie and Ricky van der Ploeg, René Kitshoff, Dee Cuthbertson, Cedric Thornberry – a fellow author who has played a major role in my life – and my dear friend Maria Wallis, who deserves a special mention. She lent an ear, offered advice, dragged me out of seclusion, and plied me with food for body and soul.
My friends Jean Swanson and Jean Fisher, both writers, provided wall-to-wall moral support, encouragement, inspiration and sound advice; Cape Town Jean via enough Telkom minutes to coat the Great Wall of China, and Namibia Jean with countless e-mails in her inimitable style. Karen Barrett’s exquisite gifts and treats from New York lifted my sagging spirit, and Christine McNair massaged, acupunctured and counselled me back into shape.
Julie Thompson in New York, Hermine Spies Coleman in the Midland Meander, and Johan Minnaar in Graaff-Reinet offered the sanctuary of their homes as alternative places to work and write.
Belinda Walton is a singular source of inspiration through her courage, faith and encouragement.
My friends are scattered across the globe and I am eternally grateful for e-mail. From a long list I would like to single out Bill Aikman and Janet in Canada, whose regular and exciting correspondence, encouragement and interest have meant so much to me.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the Reverend Michelle Pilet of St Paul’s Anglican Church in Parkhurst, who has patiently and generously offered spiritual guidance and friendship, and to Sally van der Merwe for prayers and support.
Elizabeth Motsitsi, my remarkable domestic assistant, sadly died before completion of the book. She was the embodiment of the compassion and wisdom of African women, and unconditionally provided loyal support and companionship.
Special thanks go to my publisher Zebra Press for sharing and supporting my vision of the book. Marlene Fryer took an interest in me as a person, offering encouragement and assistance well beyond the call of duty, and Robert Plummer kept me going with patience, enthusiasm and heartening feedback.
My editor, Marléne Burger, infused me with her verve and sincere commitment. She treated my precious manuscript with empathy, consideration and care, and her insight and masterful brush strokes significantly enhanced the end product.
I have always found the kindness of strangers exceptionally touching. Many people who didn’t know me, and had no need to offer more than cursory assistance, showered me with kindness and support.
Alan Reynolds, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s spokesman, answered endless questions, provided information and valuable insight, and obliged with patience and good humour.
Liz Lichter of the Parkhurst Library graciously ordered and searched for one book after another, saving me many precious hours.
Helena Prinsloo of the SA Media Centre at the University of the Free State, and Beverley Parsons and Leonie Klootwyk of Beeld and Rapport’s Library and Archives, kindly retrieved crucial information.
Sandra Storm and Lebo Tshidi literally kept me in touch with the world.
I sincerely apologise for any omissions, due not to carelessness but to pressure, exhaustion or absent-mindedness.
A number of people provided assistance and information, but wish to remain anonymous. To them, my sincere thanks.
The lives of two exceptional women are directly responsible for this book. Many years ago, Esmé Matshikiza’s courage and perseverance first made me aware of the crucial role women play, often without recognition, in the fortune of individuals and countries.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s enormous sacrifice has made both the new South Africa and this book possible. Without her tenacious struggle, neither would have seen the light.
The opportunity to write this book was a gift from my Creator. Without faith – my own and that of others – I could never have pulled it off, and I am constantly reminded that all that is wonderful in my life is thanks to His grace and love.
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First published 2003
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Text © Anné Mariè du Preez Bezdrob 2003
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Reflections in Prison
Edited by Mac Maharaj
In 1976, when he was imprisoned on Robben Island, Nelson Mandela secretly wrote the bulk of his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. The manuscript was to be smuggled out by fellow prisoner Mac Maharaj, on his release later that year. Maharaj also urged Mandela and other political prisoners to write essays on southern Africa’s political future. These were smuggled out with Mandela’s autobiography, and are now published for the first time, 25 years later, in Reflections in Prison.
This collection of essays provides a unique ‘snapshot’ of the thinking of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada and other leaders of the anti-apartheid struggle on the eve of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. It gives an insight into their philosophies, strategies and hopes, as they debate diversity and unity, violent and non-violent forms of struggle, and non-racism in the context of different interpretations of African nationalism.