Zanyiwe, as the late former ANC Women’s League president is affectionately known in the picturesque Eastern Cape village, will be buried in Johannesburg although some family members wanted her to be buried next to her parents in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
The AbaThembu king’s spokesperson Nkosi Zwelenqaba Mgudlwa said it was the wish of AbaThembu that she be buried in Qunu, but added that the king and his subjects would not dictate to the family.
The Presidency said in a statement that President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa had declared that Madikizela-Mandela would be honoured with a special official funeral, designated for people of extraordinary credentials by the president.
The Presidency said that in line with this declaration, the national flag will, with immediate effect, fly at half-mast at all flag stations countrywide and at South African diplomatic missions abroad, until April 14.
The official memorial service will be held next Wednesday at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mkhize Street, Soweto.
The official funeral will be held at Orlando Stadium, Soweto, on April 14.
Locally all opposition parties, business sectors, civil organizations, churches, government and non-governmental institutions and ordinary folks, have all sent their heartfelt messages of condolences to the family.
African Union Commission chairperson who personally flew in from Addis Ababa, Moussa Faki Mahamat, visited the home of mama-Winnie, and said he has learned, with “great shock and profound sadness of the death of Madikizela-Mandela”.
The AU chief described her as a “fearless campaigner who sacrificed much of her life for freedom in South Africa”.
“She never relented in her struggle or wavered in her commitment, despite imprisonment, banishment, and decades-long separation from her then husband Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment,” Mahamat said.
“Winnie Madikazela-Mandela paved the way for women in the struggle to end apartheid, and fought relentlessly for their rights and welfare in her country.”
Head of Commission International Relations Coordinator Akram Atallah Alayasa and the Head of Commission for the Commission of Detainees and former Detainees in Palestine, Mr Issa Qaraqe, will visit the family today.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has also paid tribute to Madikizela-Mandela.
Kenyatta said that Africans should emulate the struggle icon.
Several other African heads of state, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, have also paid tributes.
Sowetan’s spoke highly of ‘Mother of the Nation’ and said will miss her humility and Ubuntu, especially now that the country’s political landscape is changing.
Madikizela-Mandela died at Milpark Hospital on Monday, aged 81.
She will be buried on April 14 at Fourways Cemetry, next to her grandchild who died in car accident in 2010.
Meanwhile, the ruling party and the Madikezela-Mandela family have penciled the provisional programme that began on Wednesday (Day 1).
DAY TWO (Thursday, 5 April 2018)
- The entire NEC will visit the family in Soweto led by the officials of the ANC
- The opening of the Tribute Book for members of the public to write messages of support. The Tribute Book will also be available across all 53 ANC regional offices
- Solomon Mahlangu Memorial Lecture at University of Pretoria, Vista Mamelodi Campus, Tshwane
- Solomon Mahlangu Bursary Gala Dinner at Freedom Park, Tshwane
DAY THREE (Friday, 06 April 2018)
- Solomon Mahlangu Day which will see visits to the Gallows to lay wreaths at the graveyard and lunch at the Mahlangu Home culminating in the Solomon Mahlangu Memorial Lecture
- Visit to the residence by a delegation led by the ANC Veterans League
- All Black Night for Mama Winnie celebrating the life and legacy of an icon to be held at Newton Music factory (formerly Baseline)
DAY FOUR (Saturday, 7 April 2018)
- Winnie Mandela Day of Service where ANC volunteers will do work at an identified hospice in Soweto
- Wall Murals depicting the life and time and struggles led by mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
DAY FIVE (Sunday, 8 April 2018)
- On Sunday ANC leaders will attend church services across the country
DAY SIX (Monday, 9th April 2018)
- Unveiling of Tribute Wall outside the Albert Luthuli House
- There will be two ANC Main Memorial Services held at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg and in Bizana. These will be supported by memorial services in all other provinces
DAY SEVEN (Tuesday, 10 April 2018)
- Chris Hani Memorial Activities
- Visit to the family by the former Presidents of the ANC
DAY EIGHT (Wednesday, 11 April 2018)
- Government-led Official Memorial Service at Regina Mundi Church in Soweto
DAY NINE (Thursday, 12 April 2018)
- Visit by Former Presidents of the Women’s League
- The ANC Women’s League will lead a mass prayer together with the women uManyano in Soweto
DAY NINE (Friday, 13 April 2018)
- University of Pretoria Memorial Service
- ANC night vigil to be held at Orlando Rugby Stadium
DAY 10 (Saturday, 14th April 2018)
- Special Official Funeral of Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela
Lala ngoxolo Qhawekazi!
