City of Joburg gives Mama Winnie its highest honour

by Gugu Mhlungu
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Ahead of what would have been her 82nd birthday, the City of Johannesburg has given Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela the freedom of the city which is the city’s highest honour.

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In his speech, Mayor Herman Mashaba said:

“Mr Speaker, I am sure I speak for everyone gathered in these chambers today when I say it is indeed a great honour to be part of an occasion in which the City of Johannesburg confers the status of Freedom of the City on one of our most illustrious citizens, Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
This honour is long overdue.
To Zenani and Zindzi, it is indeed shameful that we had to wait until the passing of Mam’uWinnie to recognise her for her contribution to this country’s freedom.
You, more than most, know that, after all she had been through in her life, this was the least we could do to honour her memory and extend our gratitude for her many sacrifices.”

SEE ALSO: Zoleka Mandela speaks about the grief of losing Mama Winnie

Mayor Mashaba also said that there are also proposals to rename the Council chambers after Mama Winnie and a request from her family that “the City of Johannesburg honour the Mother of our Nation by hosting the Winnie Madikizela Mandela Children’s Parliament, at least once a year, in these Chambers.”

The City also marked her birthday today