Home » South Africa Celebrates 80th Birthday of ‘Mama’ Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

South Africa Celebrates 80th Birthday of ‘Mama’ Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

South Africa celebrated the 80th birthday of ‘Mama’ Winnie Madikizela-Mandela last night, with President Jacob Zuma conveying “good wishes and hearty congratulations” to Winnie on behalf of of Government and the nation. The President said: “You dedicated your adult life to the struggle for liberation and sacrificed life’s comforts, flying the flag for freedom and […]

South Africa celebrated the 80th birthday of ‘Mama’ Winnie Madikizela-Mandela last night, with President Jacob Zuma conveying “good wishes and hearty congratulations” to Winnie on behalf of of Government and the nation.

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Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at her early 80th birthday celebrations held at Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town on 14 September. (Photo: GCIS)

The President said: “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 bannings, banishments, 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 demonization 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.

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Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Tshepo Motsepe at the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela 80th birthday celebrations held at Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. (Photo: GCIS)

“Thank you 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.

“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.

“Happy 80th Birthday Mama Winnie!”

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