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…Says her death celebration of life of struggle
The Nigeria Labour Congress said the death of the foremost South African freedom fighter, Winnie Madikizela Mandela is a celebration of life of struggle.
The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the labour movement in Nigeria join other people in the world to mourn the passage of “this priceless embodiment of resilience and tenacity; typical of the African woman.”
“Though saddened by Winnie’s demise, the Nigerian Labour movement has many reasons to celebrate the life of struggle, sacrifice and service to humanity which Mama Winnie epitomized”, he said.
Winnie Mandela died on Monday, April 2, 2018.
Wabba said the demise of Winnie Madikizela Mandela brings to a sad but glorious end to another chapter of the anti-apartheid struggle. “The outpour of grief that has gripped millions of people in South Africa and other parts of the world eloquently testified of the worthy contributions of the one that many South Africans love to call “Mama”, he said.
He added, “It is difficult to put into words the scorching sacrifice of Winnie Madikizela Mandela to the struggle to decapitate one of the most brutal systems of racial segregation ever known to man.
“It is hard to tell if Winnie Madikizela Mandela understood the future that was before her when she accepted the advances by a certain young lawyer at a certain bus stop in Johannesburg. Winnie Madikizela Mandela was only twenty seven years when the vicious hands of apartheid abducted Nelson Mandela from their love nest into a twenty seven year prison ordeal. During Nelson Mandela’s incarceration, Winnie was summoned to grow up quickly into a new role as the “mother of the struggle”.
“In growing up to accept the responsibilities thrust in her path, Winnie made her mark as a genuine lover of people, freedom fighter and champion for social justice. In the years that Nelson Mandela and other key leaders of the African National Congress were either in prison or in exile, Winnie Madikizela Mandela led from the front as she and other young comrades dared the apartheid fangs of the National Party. She was harassed, beaten, imprisoned and robbed of the normal life of a working professional and a mother. Yet, she stood tall and unbent for the joy of the liberation of millions of South Africans.”
Wabba noted that the NLC did not just admire Winnie’s convictions, the labour movement in Nigeria contributed to the anti-apartheid struggle.
“In 1976, Nigeria set up the Southern Africa Relief Fund (SAFR) in order to bring relief materials to the victims of Apartheid. Nigerian workers contributed 2% of their salaries to the fund which was also known as the “Mandela Tax”. Nigerian workers deployed in the trade, excise and transport sectors were instrumental in enforcing economic sanctions against apartheid South Africa”, he stated.
