Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had an early birthday bash at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town last night.
Struggle icon – and former president Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife – Winnie will turn 80 on 26 September.
According to a report on Timeslive, politicians, family and friends came out to celebrate with her. Dignitaries included Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, First lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma, Winnie’s daughter Zindzi Mandela, EFF leaders Julius Malema and Dali Mpofu, and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille.
In his speech, to great applause Ramaphosa said: “As much as Julius Malema and I disagree on many things, we agree on mam uWinnie Mandela’s lasting beauty.
“Mama, thank you for bringing – as you have always done – various people together. Bringing Patricia de Lille‚ myself and other members of the ANC, as well as Julius and Dali Mpofu together … wow!
“You are indeed the mother of the nation. But you also have another attribute which is your enduring vitality.
Ramaphosa praised Madikizela-Mandela’s endurance through the trials of the struggle against apartheid and her many sacrifices.
“Mam uWinnie is not just any rock‚ she is a diamond‚ built to shine‚ built to last and built never to break. Winnie Mandela has helped to shape the history of South Africa‚” said Ramaphosa.
Madikizela-Mandela’s daughter also took the podium to share some family moments. “My mother is a very keen gardener. I was two hours late for my wedding because my mother had to water the garden‚” Zindzi said. “But that is my mother: she loves to be surrounded by beautiful things and she loves to make beautiful things grow‚ it’s just her nature.”
There will be a tribute concert for Madikizela-Mandela in Cape Town today.
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