Upate: Local ANC honours Mama Winnie

Update Video

GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - African National Congress (ANC) supporters gathered at the Zone 9 community hall in Thembalethu on Wednesday 11 April to honour the struggle stalwart, Winnie Madikizela Mandela.

The mother of the nation passed away peacefully on Monday 2 April at Milpark hospital in Johannesburg, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

The ANC memorial service in Thembalethu was attended by a number of local, regional and provincial leaders of the organisation, among them dignitaries such as Lulama Mvimbi, ANC Western Cape Executive Committee member and a former mayor of Plettenberg Bay.

Local ANC leaders honoured Mama Winnie and reflected on the contribution she has made for the people of this country. They also used this event to promote organisational unity in George, calling all members to rally behind their elected leadership and councillors and not fight against them. One of the speakers was ANC Councillor Langa Langa, who said, "Members must not be used as tools to attack leadership of the ANC and in particular councillors. We must not endorse anarchy in the movement for it will destroy us."

At the Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) rally about the party's land expropriation without compensation campaign last Friday, Julius Malema told the supporters Mama Winnie was the first powerful female African revolutionary. "For the first time the world will celebrate a female revolutionary and she comes from South Africa."

Memorial services were held throughout the country to honour this struggle icon who sacrificed all for the liberation of South Africa. Her official memorial service at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday was attended by thousands of people, including cabinet members.

Watch a video below.