SPECIAL OFFICIAL FUNERAL FOR THE LATE WINNIE MADIKIZELA MANDELA
On 2 April 2018, the country heard the sad news of the passing of struggle stalwart and former Member of Parliament Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. She was among the great icons of the liberation struggle who sacrificed everything in the fight against the brutal apartheid state.
In her dedication to the people of South Africa during the darkest days of apartheid and her tenacity to create a society free from racial oppression, she was affectionately referred to as the “Mother of the Nation”.
Mama Winnie is revered by millions of South Africans and her role in our liberation is undeniable. While she was not without flaws, her life must be viewed in the context of the repressive conditions and apartheid brutality at the time.
Mama Winnie was born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela on 26 September 1936 in the village of Mbongweni in Bizana in the former Transkei. She attended the Shawsbury High School where she matriculated with a first class pass.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared ten days of mourning and a special official funeral. A memorial service will be held for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela on 11 April 2018 at the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto and funeral on 14 April 2018 at the Orlando Stadium.
The memorial service for Winnie Madikizela Mandela will be held on Wednesday, 11 April 2018, Orlando Stadium, Soweto.
The Funeral Service will take place on the Saturday, 14th April 2018, Orlando Stadium, Soweto. The Burial will take place at Fourways Memorial Park Cemetery.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the National days of mourning from 3rd April to 14th April 2018. In line with this declaration, the National Flag have been flown at half-mast at all flag stations countrywide & at diplomatic missions abroad. This will be observed until the evening of 14 April 2018
Members of the media who applied for accreditation for the official memorial service and funeral of the late struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela are advised to collect their accreditation cards from 08 April 2018 at Nasrec Station.
Each member of the media will be required to personally collect the accreditation card, no mass collection will be allowed.
Details are as follows:
- Day 1: Monday, 9 April 2018, from 8h30 – 18h00 at Nasrec, Prasa station, Johannesburg
- Day 2: Tuesday, 10 April 2018, from 8h30 – 18h00 at Nasrec, Prasa station, Johannesburg
- Day 3: Thursday, 12 April 2018, from 8h30 – 18h00 at Nasrec, Prasa station, Johannesburg
- Day 4: Friday, 13 April 2018, from 8h30 – 18h00 at Nasrec, Prasa station, Johannesburg
NB: You are required to bring your Identity documents, ID Book, passport and Press Card or letter from the editor when collecting accreditation and also at the event.
Media accreditation enquiries:
Ishmael Selemale
Cell: 061 790 5114
Ireen Magwai
Cell: 082 440 5676
South Africans have been invited to pay their respects to Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela by signing the condolence books which will be placed at various sites across the country.
Condolence books will be placed at:
- International Ports of Entry (airports)
- DIRCO Head Office at the OR Tambo Building in Pretoria
- Parliament
- Tuynhuys
- The Union Buildings
- Department of Arts and Culture
- Department of Communication (GCIS Head office)
- All Provincial Legislatures
- All Premier’s Offices
- Masilonyana Local Municipality offices, Brandfort
- Mbizana Local Municipality
- KSD Local Municipality, Mthatha
