‘A servant of the people’ saluted

THE National House of Traditional Leaders said the news of Winnie MadikizelaMandela’s passing left the organisation with “a profound sense of loss and deep sadness”.

The institution said it had held Madikizela-Mandela in high esteem as a freedom fighter, icon and stalwart of the Struggle against apartheid.

“The House values many things she did as the servant of the people.

“She fought valiantly against apartheid and sacrificed her life for the freedom of the people. She also championed gender equality.”

Since Monday, when Madikizela-Mandela passed away, messages of condolence from South Africa and elsewhere have continued to pour in.

Flags are flying at half-mast in South Africa and at South African embassies abroad.

The National House of Traditional Leaders said Madikizela-Mandela “dedicated most of her adult life to the freedom of the people, and for this was known far and wide as the ‘Mother of the Nation’; apart from that she was very passionate about cultural issues”.

“The institution of traditional leadership will surely miss her, as she was also part of the institution through the Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa).

“The House thus, on behalf of all traditional leaders in the country, wishes to convey words of sympathy and its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

“This also goes out to the Mvezo Traditional Council, the ANC, Contralesa, the government of the Republic of South Africa, and the people of South Africa in general.”

Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral will take place on April 14 in Joburg.