Various political parties and leaders expressed their condolences following the death of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
The prominent anti-apartheid figure died on 2 April 2018 in Johannesburg following a long illness.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said in a statement released after her passing that Madikizela-Mandela “stands as bright light that shone a way forward for many others. Even while she opposed the apartheid government, she stood for principle, and her values outlast the struggle and apply to this day.”
Speaking to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), DA leader, Mmusi Maimane also praised Madikizela-Mandela’s beauty saying that “of course she was the most beautiful granny you could see.”
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lauded Madikizela-Mandela’s efforts to end apartheid in the South Africa saying that, “she taught us to love ourselves, our country and continue the struggle for the total emancipation of our people and continent.”
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, Bantu Holomisa has also reacted to the news of Madikizela-Mandela’s death saying that she “sometimes made for a controversial figure.”
“We say goodbye to a woman who will be remembered as a feisty and vocal freedom fighter who did not hesitate to speak her mind,” Holomisa added.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) also shared its views of Madikizela-Mandela, saying that “her passing is not only a loss for her family, but for all of South Africa, because our nation holds her in the highest esteem.”
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania’s (PAC) spokesperson, Kenneth Mokgathe added to the expressions of praise saying that the stalwart is “a symbol of a stoic African woman resisting white supremacy in all its formations.”
“The PAC cherishes her memory as a fellow freedom fighter and struggle stalwart at the pinnacle of women’s heroic involvement,” he added.
