In praise of Winnie
When the fires of the liberation struggle burnt low, while others fled and many cow-towed before a regime so heinous, it turned its architects and defenders into pariahs, you cemented fearless defiance.
That very regime launched its most heinous machinery against you. You stood firm. You led from the front, even when they tried to take away your dignity and pride.
Your coruscating brilliance ignited generations of young and old who demanded their freedom. Fiery as lioness, as resolute as a mother elephant protecting her young, fist raised, impassioned words cutting deep to the bone.
You were a single mother, a social worker reaching out to the lowest in a twisted societal hierarchy.
On a freezing winter's night, a few hours before dawn on 12 May 1969, the security police stormed your Soweto home, and arrested you in the presence of your two young daughters, then aged nine and ten. They held you for 491 days.
They banished and abused you. Your tears fell to the ground, but your spirit soared.
They sent you to what you referred to as “little Siberia” – exiled to the dusty town of Brandfort in the Free State.
“Here is really a living grave,' you said.
'The whole thing was calculated to break one's spirit. What difference does it still make?' The only difference is between being in prison and this outside prison. My country is a prison in itself.'
You never gave up. You led your people from the front during their darkest of days. And even after liberation, you howled at the slow pace of restoring the dignity of the poorest of the poor. You openly criticised the predatory elite in your political home. You were vexed and furious - your spark gave birth to another generation of fighters.
You are an icon. An inspiration. The mother of a nation. A symbol of defiance. A leader. Unquestionably strong and an example to all who have continued to embrace life in the midst of their deepest, darkest struggles. Your 'politics' was the poor and downtrodden. Let whoever thinks they are without sin cast the first stone. You will never ever be forgotten.
Rest in peace Mama Winnie.
That very regime launched its most heinous machinery against you. You stood firm. You led from the front, even when they tried to take away your dignity and pride.
Your coruscating brilliance ignited generations of young and old who demanded their freedom. Fiery as lioness, as resolute as a mother elephant protecting her young, fist raised, impassioned words cutting deep to the bone.
You were a single mother, a social worker reaching out to the lowest in a twisted societal hierarchy.
On a freezing winter's night, a few hours before dawn on 12 May 1969, the security police stormed your Soweto home, and arrested you in the presence of your two young daughters, then aged nine and ten. They held you for 491 days.
They banished and abused you. Your tears fell to the ground, but your spirit soared.
They sent you to what you referred to as “little Siberia” – exiled to the dusty town of Brandfort in the Free State.
“Here is really a living grave,' you said.
'The whole thing was calculated to break one's spirit. What difference does it still make?' The only difference is between being in prison and this outside prison. My country is a prison in itself.'
You never gave up. You led your people from the front during their darkest of days. And even after liberation, you howled at the slow pace of restoring the dignity of the poorest of the poor. You openly criticised the predatory elite in your political home. You were vexed and furious - your spark gave birth to another generation of fighters.
You are an icon. An inspiration. The mother of a nation. A symbol of defiance. A leader. Unquestionably strong and an example to all who have continued to embrace life in the midst of their deepest, darkest struggles. Your 'politics' was the poor and downtrodden. Let whoever thinks they are without sin cast the first stone. You will never ever be forgotten.
Rest in peace Mama Winnie.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article