WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA: ICON

WINNIE Madikizela-Mandela was an icon in life. She remains an icon in death. her legacy should burn bright not just in south Africa, but across Africa and indeed the world wherever there is injustice. The tragedy for us all is that she will always be seen as a counterpoint to her former husband, Nelson Mandela.

Those who had the privilege of knowing Mama, know that Winnie Madikizela- Mandela was never secondary nor subordinate to anyone in her entire life. she paid an incredible price, all on her own with her two girls Zenani and Zindzi, during the toughest moments in the struggle against apartheid. There is a tendency in some quarters to forget that, just as there is an inclination to perversely minimise the plight of a single mother bearing the full wrath of an entire state machinery – in all its various odious and cruel manifestations – while her husband and comrades were locked up in their island exile in Robben island. In some respect, Winnie Madikizela- Mandela voice has been silenced and marginalised along with other female activists. her legacy has been in danger of both being forgotten, and deliberately airbrushed from the new narratives of the past. We must fight against forgetting. We do this by actively remembering. I have had the privilege of personally getting to know some of the key players in south Africa’s transition – on all sides of the divide. The more i learnt of the untold stories, the more I realised that we had to capture them in the very words of the people who lived on the frontlines and at the negotiating table, while they were still around.

My journey in this process was crystallised with the establishment of the African Oral history Archive, a key pillar of my Foundation’s programmes. For over a decade, the African Oral history Archive has recorded the first-hand testimonies of those who have been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s modern history.

Our obligation is not merely altruistic, because in remembering lies our greatest hope of preventing the crime against humanity that occurred from ever happening again. This is why archives are so important – not only to historians, but to all citizens concerned about truth, accountability and social justice.

We do this to honour those heroes who challenge the overwhelming patriarchy that continues to render women subordinate in society.

No substitute. So much so that one finds it impossible to imagine the trajectory of modern south African history without her influence. Like all great people – especially leaders – she was also a person of many parts, some of which contradicted the good for which she was beloved, but equally were an unshakeable part of who she was. What many call “Winnie’s imperfections” are the endearing attributes that make her accessible, human and revolutionary. It is just another reason why, when Winnie Madikizela-Mandela approached my Foundation with a request to assist in the archiving of her life story, we assigned south African Emmy award-winning director, Mandy Jacobson to literally follow her around with a camera for five years right up to her death, to record her story for posterity.

The result is the seven-part seven-hour series, The Trials of Winnie Mandela, soon to be released across the globe.

This is the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela we have held in our hearts, have longed for and have been waiting to hear from.

The ichikowitz Family Foundation has pleasure in presenting this original material as a gift to the nation and for the benefit of future generations.

Now with the launch of her own foundation, by her descendants, it is our privilege to continue to be a part of this process, for the very same reasons that we filmed her and indeed that we established our foundation. it is right and proper that we remember Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, truly the mother of the nation. This was my promise to Mama Winnie and one that i am very grateful that we have been able to keep.

Ivor Ichikowitz is a South African born industrialist and philanthropist. He is the chair of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, which produced the documentary series, The Trials of Winnie Mandela, soon to be released worldwide.

I cannot believe my mother and my father named me that, ‘Trial’. In fact it is Zanyiwe, meaning ‘Trial’, why? At the time, a baby is born, what trial were they thinking of and then I spend all my life in the courts of this country, on trial.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela with Ivor Ichikowitz (Soweto 2015).