The EFF is commemorating the 88th anniversary of the birth of stalwart, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, on Thursday.
Madikizela-Mandela, born on September 26, 1936, passed away in April 2018.
The party described her as an unflinching revolutionary who refused to compromise or sell out her people’s Struggle for freedom. It added that her commitment to the true freedom of the African people sets her apart as a true leader of the liberation movement.
“Through her commitment and actions, she became the embodiment of our people’s aspirations for freedom. Unlike many who were quick to betray the cause for personal gain, Mama Winnie stood firm until her last breath, even as she was isolated and persecuted by the very forces she fought alongside.
“Mama Winnie did not flinch when the apartheid regime sought to break her spirit. She stood tall when others faltered, enduring harassment, house arrests, and constant state repression. But the betrayal did not end with the fall of apartheid,” said EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys.
She said even after the attainment of political freedom, she was sidelined and vilified by the ANC, which had become more interested in appeasing white capital than achieving true liberation for the masses.
“She consistently reminded her comrades that the Struggle for liberation was not for the few in leadership positions to amass wealth for themselves, but that the true aim of the Struggle for liberation was the expropriation of land without compensation back to the native, the provision of free quality education for the marginalised natives, provision of quality healthcare, proper housing, and freedom from State persecution for all.
“For this, her own comrades who were too impatient to get the perks that being in government offered them persecuted her, maligned her name, and sided with the former oppressor to drive a malicious media campaign that sought to denigrate her amongst the very people she fought side by side with,” Mathys added.
She further said Madikizela-Mandela’s persecution was no different from Chris Hani, another true revolutionary who was struck down before he could see his dream of a free and just South Africa realised.
The party said in her death, they asked for a signal, “Mama, send us a sign.” And they got that signal loud and clear.
“We went ahead and named our historic building, the home of the EFF, the Winnie Madikizela Mandela House. Today, the ANC she dedicated her life to has capitulated to the interests of our oppressors. It is now nothing but a management committee managing the affairs of the State for the interests of embedded white interests.
“Under the leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC has turned its back on the people and has formed alliances with the DA, the very party that represents the interests of white supremacists and capital.
“This unholy coalition has betrayed the landless, the unemployed, and the poor. The ANC and all those who lead it have vindicated Frantz Fanon on his condemnation of the nationalist bourgeoise that took over power after independence.
“This is a group of people, Fanon argued, that does not seek to do away with colonialism and its tentacles, but rather want to enjoy all that neo-colonialism can offer them as individuals,” said Mathys.
She said in doing so, they turn “independent” African nations into efficient client states for the West.
Mathys said the ANC has become such an efficient client movement for the advancement of the interests of the coloniser. Every gain we have ever made is now under threat as the ANC, the party that once claimed to represent the people's interests, dances to the tune of our historical oppressors.
“Mama Winnie’s legacy is one of relentless defiance. She did not compromise on the land question, the economic liberation of our people, or the dream of a truly equal South Africa. As we remember her, we recommit ourselves to her principles. We will not allow Ramaphosa and his DA puppeteers to erase her legacy. We will continue the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime, knowing that we stand on the shoulders of giants like Mama Winnie. May you continue to rest in power, Madikizela!”
The Star