Johannesburg – She was one of the leading South African women in the struggle against apartheid and had suffered detention and imprisonment most of her life.
And now Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of President Nelson Mandela, is set to receive a major accolade of her life.
An award ceremony of global status will be held in Johannesburg next month to celebrate Madikizela-Mandela, who is turning 79, and organisers say the event will also be used to honour other legendary women around the world who have made a contribution to their society.
Other nominees for the Winnie Mandela Global Awards include Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate and South African Dr Anna Mokgokong who established Community Investment Holdings in 1995.
In the government sector, Nigeria has been nominated for recently conducting peaceful elections and Liberia for quickly combating the spread of the deadly disease Ebola. Other winners will be announced in the categories sport, innovation, community development as well as business.
There is no doubt that Madikizela-Mandela is one of the highly revered women in South Africa and the world and many people respect her for her resilience in the face of detention and isolation for almost 27 years. She was born in rural Pondoland in 1934 and named Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela. Among other achievements, she is known for becoming the first black medical social worker in South Africa.
Speaking at the media launch of the awards in Soweto on Friday, grand daughter Zoleka said the time to honour Madikizela-Mandela had come and there was no better way to do it than to stage an award ceremony that will profile her work and that of many women around the world.
Zoleka said the idea of the award has received the backing of many people, including the Mandela family.
“It is a recognition of Mama and what she has done. We will be doing this on her birthday to celebrate this global icon and other legendary women.
“The awards are about the people that stand and fight despite challenges they face. My grandmother stood up and fought in the face of many challenges she faced and the time has come to say thank you to her,” said Zoleka.
The awards ceremony will be held at Monte Casino on 26 September and is expected to be attended by diplomats, high profile guests from government, civil society as well as business. – SAnews.gov.za
