Lessons Africa can learn from Winnie Mandela’s resilience in face of oppression

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Africa bids goodbye to one of the continent’s iconic woman leader and brave defender of human rights. Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela popularly known the world over as Winnie Mandela, emboldened the fight against political, economic and social oppression in South Africa, which was the last bastion of the dehumanising racial segregation style of government.

She belonged to a generation of Africans weaned on racial segregation and treated as sub-human only fit to hew wood and draw water while whites were treated like demigods. Many opted to be subservient to their oppressors but a few like Winnie spoke up against what ailed their society and got into trouble with the government.

When circumstances demanded, Winnie took up the challenge and bravely fought the oppressive regime, throwing all she had to liberate her motherland. When the government snatched her husband, Nelson Mandela and jailed him for his role in the struggle, Winnie did not despair or allow herself to be used by the despotic regime to break the spear that sought to shred the apparel of oppression clothed in the racist government.

Symbolically, Mandela and other jailed freedom fighters were the spearhead of African National Congress (ANC) and Winnie acted as the handle by which the spear was hurled at the regime, repeatedly slicing at its evil soul. With her trademark head gear, smiling face and clenched fist, she defied apartheid and became the face of the freedom struggle in South Africa as she and her ilk kept the flame burning. She also rallied support for ANC across the world.

Her struggles redefined the place of African woman in the fight for freedom, deconstructing the theory that the role of the woman was secondary to that of the man. She drew inspiration from her contemporaries Lillian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph who were tried for treason, Albertina Sisulu, Florence Matomela, Frances Bard, and Kate Molale among others who played a significant role in the struggle.

History has, however, been unkind as it has at best reduced their roles to a footnote. In Kenya, Mekatilili Wa Meza, Mukami Kimathi, Sakawa and a host of other brave daughters have been ignored by a society that lionised the role of men in the fight for freedom. 

Back to Winne, there were blots in her life which saw her separate with Mandela but these only demonstrate that she was only human and like other mortals had her strengths and weaknesses. When the history of Africa’s freedom fighters is written, Winnie’s name will undoubtedly demand special attention.

STATE OF CAPTURE

And although South Africa has long won her freedom, some of the ills and problems which sent Africa’s freedom fighters to the trenches are still prevalent. Debilitating poverty, runaway corruption and class struggles have replaced racial segregation and political exclusion.

As was recently depicted by the ouster of another freedom icon, Jacob Zuma from power, numerous post-independence governments, are in a state of capture by profiteering cartels ran by individuals with little respect for human rights and democracy.

The freedom of the flag has been won but the struggle for emancipation of Africa from the captive forces should continue. Winnie’s spirit will continue to inspire progressive forces to say no to oppressive regimes anywhere in Africa and the world. -The time for the African woman is now and never again, should women be underrated or their role in the fight for justice and equality, be downplayed.

Go thee well Winnie, your good deeds and selflessness will never be forgotten.