The Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the death of anti-apartheid icon, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, as a twilight in the annals of South African history.
Aregbesola, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure, said Winnie represented the last bastion of those who freed South Africa from the shackles of white obnoxious rule, which ended in the early nineties.
The Governor noted that Winnie, former wife of the late President Nelson Mandela, exhibited uncommon leadership and strength of character by providing leadership for a people under economic and politics bondage to the land of freedom.
He said that her husband’s incarceration for 27 years did not deter her, but rather she picked up the gauntlet and continued the struggle where her husband and other apartheid fighters left it until Mandela was freed and South Africa became a free and democratic country.
In his words, “Winnie, the South African anti-apartheid campaigner, was undoubtedly one of the strongest human in world history. Her death signifies the gradual passing away of the last freedom fighters of the apartheid era. She was the last of the Titans. She undoubtedly led a life of service to humanity, fought with her husband, and later in his absence, continued the fight for the liberation of Blacks in the apartheid enclave.
“Few women the world over could boast of passing through life’s vicissitudes as Winnie did, yet she remained undaunted to the course of humanity till the end. And South Africa came out the best for it. The democracy the country is enjoying today; the black majority rule and the shift of democratic power to the indigenous South Africans did not come on a platter but with the sweat and blood of few brave men and women, which roll call will always place Winnie in the first list.
“Popularly known as the “Mother of the Nation” because of her struggle against white-minority rule in South Africa, Winnie cut not only a world prominent figure but also attracted cult heroes and heroines across the globe as a sterling woman of steel, who was denied access to her husband and on a larger scale who also carried the burden of her people in bondage.
“These challenges she stood up to like the rock of Gibraltar and battled to the end. Her death is the end of an era. Winnie is definitely irreplaceable.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Osun, I send our heartfelt condolences to Africa National Congress (ANC), the government and entire people of South Africa on the exit of this irrepressible and indefatigable freedom fighter.”
Meanwhile, the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, has approved a state burial for the anti-apartheid icon and directed that the country’s flag should be flown at half-mast until 14 April, when the former wife of Nelson Mandela will be buried.
Ramaphosa declared that the late Mam’ Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela – a recipient of the Order of Luthuli in silver for her “excellent contribution to the fight for the liberation of the people of South Africa” – will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 1.
A Special Official Funeral Category 1 entails elements of military ceremonial honours and is declared, in line with the Presidency’s State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy, for persons of extraordinary credentials specifically designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
“Mam’ Winnie deserves the highest respect our nation can demonstrate in honour of a patriot and citizen who served our nation and humanity at large with distinction during our liberation struggle and throughout our democratic dispensation,” President Ramaphosa said.
In line with this declaration, the National Flag shall, with immediate effect, fly at half-mast at all flag stations countrywide and at South African diplomatic missions abroad. This will be observed until the evening of 14 April 2018. The President has further declared national days of mourning from today, 3 April 2018 until the 14th April 2018.
In terms of the President’s declaration, the official memorial service for Mam’ Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will be held at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mkhize Street, Soweto, on Wednesday, 11 April 2018.
The Special Official Funeral proceedings will be held at Orlando Stadium, Soweto, on Saturday, 14 April 2018.