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SAD! Former Nelson Mandela’s wife, Winnie dies at 81
Winnie Mandela, the former wife of South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, died on Monday aged 81, triggering an outpouring of tributes to one of the country’s defining and most divisive figures.
She died in a Johannesburg hospital after a long illness, family spokesman Victor Dlamini said in a statement.
Winnie Mandela, who was married to Nelson Mandela for 38 years, played a high-profile role in the struggle to end white-minority rule but her place in history was stained by controversy and accusations of violence.
“It is with profound sadness that we inform the public that Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela passed away at the Netcare Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday,” said a statement issued by her family.
“She died after a long illness, for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year. She succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones.”
Leading the tributes, anti-apartheid campaigner and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu described Winnie Mandela as “a defining symbol” of the struggle against oppression.
“She refused to be bowed by the imprisonment of her husband, the perpetual harassment of her family by security forces, detentions, bannings and banishment,” he said.
“Her courageous defiance was deeply inspirational to me, and to generations of activists.”
In the ruling African National Congress (ANC), head of policy Jeff Radebe described her as “an icon of the revolutionary struggle.”
– Lives apart –
Most of Winnie’s marriage to Nelson was spent apart, with Nelson imprisoned for 27 years, leaving her to raise their two daughters alone and to keep alive his political dream under the repressive white-minority regime.
But her reputation came under damaging scrutiny in the twilight years of apartheid rule.
In 1986, she was widely linked to “necklacing”, when suspected traitors were burnt alive by a petrol-soaked car tyre being put over their head and set alight.
In 1990 the world watched when Nelson Mandela finally walked out of prison — hand in hand with Winnie.
The following year, she was convicted of kidnapping and assault over the killing of Stompie Moeketsi, a 14-year-old boy.
In 1992, the Mandelas separated, and then divorced in 1996, after a legal wrangle that revealed she had had an affair with a young bodyguard.
During her old age, she re-emerged as a “mother of the nation” figure who was feted as a living reminder of the late Mandela and of the long struggle against apartheid.
Just last month, she was shown in television footage joking with Cyril Ramaphosa, the newly-appointed president who paid a courtesy call at her home in Soweto, the township where she lived for decades.
Dressed in full ANC colours of yellow, black and green, she asked Ramaphosa, who is known for his morning runs, “Why don’t you get tired?”
“We can’t get tired when you have given us work to do‚” Ramaphosa said, paying fulsome praise to her appearance.
She had also expressed support for the current leadership of the ANC (African National Congress) party — which her husband led to power in the euphoric post-apartheid elections of 1994.
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES JIM OVIA ON ADMISSION TO THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, on his admission to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London.
Admission to the Freedom of the City of London is an honour bestowed on individuals either for their service to the city or for their achievements.
In a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the honour as a fitting recognition of Mr. Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.
“This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations. As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise,” the President stated.
President Tinubu commended Mr. Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector and wished him continued success in his endeavours.
It was a salient and momentous occasion as one of God’s generals,the president of PMF, Pentecostal Ministers Forum of Nigeria and the founder of Kings In Christ Power Ministries Int.Bishop Chidi Anthony celebrated his birthday yesterday.
The event which was held at white sand,Isherin Osun, Lagos was anchored by Nollywood actor Kingsley Ogbonna aka, Dauda was attended by numerous prominent personalities :DCP Oliver Ezirim,DCP Forensic, Alagbon,CSP Charles,STS Commander Idimu,CSP Agatha Eze ,Dpo ,Idimu, Bishop Tony Anthony Aniekwu, Bishop Kennedy Ogu,HRH EZE C. C Nwokdi Eze Ndi Igbo,ijegun and Ijedodo, bishop Anene Nwachuku,Rhema Deliverance ministry,Hon.Eugene Chinedu Ajuonuma
The event was epochal as guests were given wonderful and awesome treat;the celebrant being a religious leader,the president of Pentecostal Ministers Forum advised the Nigerian government on how to solve the problems confronting the nation “I want the government to create employment opportunities and empowerment programmes in order to engage our youths, nobody will be happy to graduate for years without a Job and no means of livelihood,that is why crime is on the increase almost every young person you see today is into one crime or the other in the quest for survival,if something can be done urgently by the government,will help curtail the insecurity in the country and create a good environment for us to dwell ”
Bishop Chidi Anthony who happens to be a philanthropist also used the avenue to inform Lagosians about his palliative and empowerment programme that will be coming up on the 16th of May “Christianity goes beyond preaching the bible,it also talks about love and care to the people,I want to use this medium to invite the people of Lagos to my palliative and empowerment programme that will be coming up on the 16th of May, during my annual programme”GREATER THAN THE POOL OF BETHSAIDA” i will be giving out food stuffs to Lagosians and there will also be financial empowerments for the indigents and the vulnerables, anywhere you are in the city of Lagos, don’t forget to be at 17, Jubilee close,Taiwo bus stop,Ago palace way, it’s my way of supporting and alleviating the suffering in the nation “.
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