Veteran Politician Vernon Johnson Mwaanga has described late South African anti-apartheid activist Winnie Mandela as a fearless fighter for freedom and justice.

In a statement, Monday, VJ encouraged Africans to celebrate Winnie’s well lived life, emphasising that the history of the liberation struggle in South Africa would not be written without the name of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

He noted that Winnie was a committed icon of the struggle against the evil of apartheid in South Africa, who endured pain and suffering at the hands of the apartheid and repression while married to Nelson Mandela at a young age.

“When I first met Winnie Mandela at her home in Soweto in 1974, I had no doubt that I had met a great African woman. She was a committed icon of the struggle against the evil of apartheid in South Africa. She married Nelson Mandela at a young age and endured pain and suffering at the hands of the apartheid and repression. She was imprisoned, banished and persecuted, but she never relented. She was a fearless fighter for freedom and justice, not just in South Africa, but throughout the world. She was also an outspoken advocate for women’s rights. When her husband was in prison for 27 years, she became the standard bearer of the struggle against apartheid. She had to endure the burden and challenge of raising her young children who did not know their father,” stated VJ.

“Yes, like all human beings, she was not perfect . She said and did certain things which went against the norm, but this should not subtract anything from the huge contribution and personal sacrifices she made for the greater good of the new South Africa. As we mourn this great woman, let us also celebrate her life well lived. The history of the liberation struggle in South Africa, will not be written without the name of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.”