Residents of Majwemasweu in Brandfort, in the Free State, have paid homage to Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s youngest daughter, Zindzi. The 59-year-old died in a Johannesburg hospital in the early hours of Monday morning.
Zindziswa Mandela lived with her mother Winnie in the Majwemasweu Township after the apartheid regime banished her mother to the area in 1977.
MamaWinnie had spent 18 months in solitary confinement in the Women’s Jail in Johannesburg when the decree was made. Today, house number 802 in Majwemasweu is a national heritage site.
Zindzi was just 16 when she arrived with her mother. Retired teacher, 78-year-old Norah Moahloli shared a special bond with Zindzi and her mother.
“Zindzi was very friendly, as you know it was not easy to live under house arrest with her mother. She managed to communicate very easy, because of being a child. As we are passing through she will follow my son to church or to school. It was easy for her to communicate with her equals in the community. They were so close to her; Zindzi will take care of her mother. And she was very strong”.
Zindzi – South Africa’s Ambassador to Denmark – has been described as a true compatriot. She was also admired for her bravery and deep commitment to social justice. Another resident, 62-year-old Oupa Mothekhe speaks fondly of the times they spent with Zindzi and Mama Winnie.
“At the time she was living here with her mother you remember it was during apartheid. But she couldn’t feel the restrictions they were living under because we were warm to them and they were warm to the people. They always received us with warm hands. We would listen to freedom songs”.
Following years of delays, Winnie’s house in Majwemasweu has finally been revamped to become a museum. But it’s yet to operate. Residents want the process of opening it to be accelerated.
“In honour of Zindzi and Winnie Mandela, we as the community or youth of Majwemasweu, we would like to see development in our community, we would like to see youth working. We would like to see RDPs, water, especially jobs,” says one resident.
“We are saddened by the passing of Zindzi as she was part of us in Brandfort. We honour them for their contributions in our country,” adds another.
Many say the moments they shared with Zindzi and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will forever be in their minds.
