#WinnieMandela: She inspired many female leaders

Fallen ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has been hailed for inspiring and moulding hundreds of women into leaders.

It was for this reason, party NEC member and Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said, Madikizela-Mandela’s death would not leave a void.

“It’s a gigantic tree that has fallen but with deep roots that will not see it dying,” Mokonyane said, addressing reporters outside the icon's house in Orlando West, Soweto on Tuesday afternoon. 

 “She will continue to live among us. We are quite elated by the signs of unity of different organisations.”

“I’m here. There are millions else out there. Many are not just in the ANC. We have a number of young women here,” she said. 

“We must remember that she was the first black social worker. It’s a profession that mama opened doors for Africans, women in particular,” Mokonyane added.

She said government, through the presidency and GCIS would be providing further details regarding the state funeral and other arrangements. 

“You’ll remember that many young women during the fees must fall movement were inspired by her. They found space to come and get inspiration from uMama. We’ve got the deputy president of Cosas, an organisation mama loved dearly,” she said. 

“We have leaders in the ANC Women’s League who are products of uMama like the militant and radical Bathabile Dlamini. To say there was a void would be totally untrue.”

“For now the family, the government, the ANC and the church are all at work to pull everything together so that the information goes out so that we can all understand the activities going forward,” she said.

Madikizela-Mandela has been granted a special government memorial on April 11 and funeral service that will take place on April 14.