Posted on 09/26/2006 5:39:30 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
SOUTH Africans have marked the 70th birthday of controversial anti-apartheid heroine Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who is re-emerging as a symbol for leftists in the nation's divided ruling alliance.
Ms Madikizela-Mandela, who fought for decades against South Africa's white minority rule government, received a stream of congratulatory phone calls today, including one from her famous ex-husband Nelson Mandela.
"Nelson Mandela called early in the day and they had a very lengthy discussion about life," said Udo Froese, a spokesman for Ms Madikizela-Mandela.
"He called her Zami, an endearment name for his ex-wife. They spent a heck of long time on the phone."
Ms Madikizela-Mandela, who married Mr Mandela in 1958, was a fearsome opponent of the apartheid regime while her husband languished in jail for 27 years until his historic release in 1990.
She gained heroine status as she underwent detention, banishment and imprisonment over the years, crowning her leadership role as the firebrand head of the women's wing of the now ruling African National Congress (ANC).
But her star began to fall after Mr Mandela's release.
Known as "Mother of the Nation" for her role in the freedom struggle, she was branded the "Mugger of the Nation" after revelations about the violent activities of her "Mandela United Football Club" group of enforcers.
She was convicted in 1991 of kidnapping and assault in connection with the death of a 14-year-old township activist, whose body was found near her home with his throat cut. Her six-year jail term was later reduced on appeal to a fine.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
I'm sure we all remember her infamous practise of 'necklacing'...
Hmm.. Something about spare tires, no?
Bet none were from the soccer team that she had murdered.
Only 70 too.
I was gonna suggest someone get her a necklace for her 70th.
Someone should have got her a necklace for her 20th!!!
Should read "Winnie Mandela a farce at 70."
I wonder if she still owns her football club?
That b***h still alive?
Damn I thought she took dirt nap
I wonder if she can get me a deal of a set of Michellins?
What's it say that Nelson Mandela took the worst South African prisons had to offer but couldn't stand being married to Winnie?
Quick, someone play that Buckcherry song...
...How many spare tires, can she lift around the neck of her "Posse / Enemies" and torch now?
Well, sure. She was married to a terrorist all those years. I'm gonna barf over the media coverage of old Nelson's death someday.
Outstanding observation!
I hope he had a "Goodyear"
If I remember correctly, there were rumors during the 1980's that her bitterness over her husband's imprisonment caused her to go over the deep end.
I don't see any signs that she has become any more stable.
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