Winnie+Mandela

Winnie Mandela was Nelson Mandela’s wife from 1958-1996. Winnie was born into Xhosa origin in a village now known as the Eastern Cape Province. Today she is 78 years old and has two daughters with Nelson. Winnie is known as the “Mother of the Nation” due to her efforts in fighting Apartheid. However, her proven criminal action has many people wondering, “Who is Winnie Mandela?”

Winnie Mandela worked with many different anti-apartheid groups before, during, and after her husband's time in prison. She headed the African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) and was a member of the ANC’s national executive committee. Like her husband Nelson, she was regularly confined by the South African Government due to her political activities. She was kept under house arrest and surveillance, abused, and sent to live in a remote town. Winnie was in and out of prison constantly but continued to speak out on Apartheid. Many Africans throughout the country saw Winnie as a hero. She was brave and a strong woman. People could hardly believe it in the late 1980s when possible criminal activity was released. Winnie was accused of burning people alive and supporters thought it was a lie. Africa’s beliefs began to change in 1988 when her bodyguard released information on the abduction of a young boy. Winnie had ordered the kidnapping and murder of a 14 year old on the Mandela’s Football Club. She claimed she had taken him for safety reasons, but his body was later found.

On February 11, 1990 Nelson Mandela was discharged from prison. Nelson gave a revolutionary speech and crowds roared everywhere.They were seen as ‘love not lost’ and an idol to the South African people. Again in 1991 and 1992 Winnie was charged for criminal activity. South Africa began to second guess their choices and wondered if she was really the “Mother of the Nation”. In 1996 Nelson and Winnie Mandela were pronounced divorced after her time in prison. Winnie stayed involved in the government and was elected for multiple parties.

Today Winnie Mandela is still a huge historical figure. Her last criminal trial was in 2003 and today she is free. Winnie’s story has been the subject of many operas, books, and films. To some she is still “Mother of the Nation” and to others Winnie Mandela is a mystery.