When I learnt of Ma Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s death, I remembered the two occasions I met her.
Had I been doing any job other than journalism, I would not have had the opportunity.
The first time I met her I was nervous.
It was during her 80th birthday celebrations at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Orange Street, which were attended by prominent people ranging from actors, musicians, radio and TV personalities to politicians, including then ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, EFF leader Julius Malema, Dali Mpofu and both her daughters.
Though I had goosebumps, I was grateful for the fact that I was allowed to attend the event.
It was a special event. It was a very special moment. I was with multiple award-winning photojournalist, Phandulwazi Jikelo, and it was he who suggested that we had to take pictures with all of them, or most of them, at least.
Time was not on my side as I was on deadline and I had to take notes and send in well-
balanced copy for the next day’s publication.
Considering my background (I was born, in rural Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape, a province with so much heritage and political activism), I am encouraged to be fierce and contribute to the emancipation of our people: the poor majority.
I agree with millions of South Africans that Mama Winnie was the mother of the nation, judging from her videos I have watched, stories I have read and her book.
I am who I am because of her selfless sacrifice, standing up to the unjust laws of apartheid, not just for herself or as the wife of Struggle icon Nelson Mandela, but for all South Africans.
I have two pictures I took with her. I went to her, asked her in Xhosa: “Mama, happy birthday, I can see you have been enjoying yourself. I am grateful to have seen you.
“By the way, I am from Cofimvaba.”
“Oh! You are Chris Hani’s homeboy?”
One could see from her facial expression that she was delighted to have a picture taken with us.
Mama Winnie could hardly walk. At most times at the function she had to take off her shoes and was using crutches and walking only short distances, and her daughter Zindziswa constantly helped her.
Mama Winnie’s passing is a great loss to our nation. In her, I saw a grandmother with a warm heart.
We should indeed celebrate her life forever. I am forever grateful that I met her.
May her soul rest in peace.