Leaders in resilient organizations aim to limit bureaucracy and promote entrepreneurialism within teams. They establish clear objectives, establish some safeguards and ensure accountability – then step aside to let employees lead.
Winnie became an important leader of the black student movement after her husband was released from prison, using her militancy and candor as an effective weapon in fighting apartheid.
1. She was resilient.
Winnie Mandela never gave up the fight to free South Africa from apartheid despite her imprisonment on Robben Island, engaging with grassroots politics and leading campaigns such as fighting HIV/AIDS, opposing xenophobia and pushing for housing policy reform. Using her fame she used her celebrity to further these causes.
She was an unstoppable force against apartheid’s system of territorial segregation and racial discrimination against Black citizens, which involved territorial segregation and strict racial discrimination. Her political position veered closer to Robert Sobukwe’s Africanist traditions than that of the African National Congress (ANC), so much so that she engaged in physical altercations with security forces on several occasions. Unfortunately for her though, scandal soon surfaced: she was named in a divorce action as the lover of young black journalist whom she later married; then shortly afterwards began an affair with male photographer who later married his son’s wife’s wife before becoming involved with another man working at US Information service.
She endured lengthy banishment periods and arrests, betrayed by individuals infiltrating her life under the guise of friendship but turning out to be agents for apartheid authorities, constant harassment from authorities and her increasing dependence on alcohol; all these experiences combined contributed to an already existing inner turmoil; Gilbey suggested she was almost psychotic while Steinberg believes her early experiences such as her first husband’s brutal attack and subsequent isolation led to this aggression.
2. She was influential.
Winnie was not one to give up easily in spite of her dire circumstances; instead she took steps towards creating community initiatives that provided much-needed support for those living within her sphere of influence – from garden collectives, soup kitchens and mobile health units – all the way to providing spaces where disenfranchised youth could come together, feel at home and organize themselves – these informal groupings would come to be known as Mandela United Football Club or “MUFC.”
As well as her work at grassroots level, she continued to organize larger protest actions as part of the wider ANC movement. Additionally, she was an active member of both the ANC Women’s League and Nelson Mandela’s cabinet as vice-president.
While living in Brandfort, she continued her political activism despite the restrictions placed upon her by apartheid laws and conservatives. Although prohibited from attending ANC meetings, she did not cease fighting for liberation of her people.
As soon as she and Nelson were released from prison, their comrades devised an ingeniously executed plan for them. ANC leadership understood that allowing Winnie to carry out her grassroots work despite immense state pressure would only serve to heighten public awareness and momentum of the struggle against apartheid.
No matter that there were individuals betraying her to police, she continued her fight until the very end – her name will go down in history as an icon of Africa’s freedom struggle. Although South Africa now enjoys independence, some of the same problems which pushed freedom fighters into battle remain; poverty, corruption and class struggle being just three examples of such issues that still require combatants today.
3. She was strategic.
Winnie relied on her experience and understanding of the community to lead. She understood that not everyone was well off, and some needed help with basic necessities. Winnie took note of Columbus’ philosophy about giving without expecting anything in return.
Winnie took action when she learned of a local girl missing school due to lack of clothing; giving one of her dresses as an act of generosity won her much love from the community and proved that she still understood their struggle. This gesture showed just how dedicated and selfless Winnie had become over time.
As a result of her actions, Winnie became the subject of harsh reprisals by the apartheid government as they attempted to punish those who supported Black South Africans and their liberation from oppressors. Although often accused of being violent in her fight for freedom, she continued her campaign unwaveringly.
Winnie managed to remain politically active despite her isolation and frequent police raids on her home. She kept in contact with exiled ANC leaders, provided assistance for political prisoners, and stood against abuse of children by the Military Union of African National Congress (MUFC), the armed wing of ANC.
During this period, she became increasingly aware of individuals posing as friends who were secretly betraying her to apartheid authorities under false pretences of friendship. Furthermore, she found herself facing legal proceedings for assaults and various scandalous incidents.
4. She was innovative.
Winnie was in many ways the face and voice of Nelson Mandela’s anti-apartheid movement as his wife, which made her vulnerable to its violent state apparatus. While Nelson was imprisoned, Winnie campaigned tirelessly for his release while simultaneously taking on leadership duties from him in his absence, often receiving attacks from white supremacists as well as members of black communities who saw her as symbolising liberation struggle for which they fought.
This was not an easy feat for her; she had an acute sense of injustice and was deeply sensitive to inequality in the world around her, due to her rural upbringing where gender roles were clearly established, with women expected to care for menfolk as part of their gender obligations. Additionally, this process had been further reinforced by the death of Vuyelwa from tuberculosis infection.
By the time of Soweto’s student uprisings in 1976, she had already become the symbolic mother of a new generation of South African students. She led in the ANC Women’s League and co-founded with Dr Nthatho Motlana the Soweto Parents’ Association.
She redefined what it meant to be an activist on behalf of black people. She was an outspoken critic of apartheid as well as its driving economic policies – particularly neoliberalism – which caused it. She wasn’t afraid of taking hardline positions against state entities either and she even advocated necklacing, where suspected informers’ throats would be tied securely, leading to severe burns or fatal injuries, to make her point. It was a controversial viewpoint but one she passionately stood behind and was prepared to fight hard in defence of.
5. She was flexible.
Winnie quickly developed an interest in national politics after meeting Oliver Tambo – later to become her husband and the future President of South Africa. Her fascination was furthered when they married each other.
Winnie became deeply engaged in political activism during the 1960s and organized aid for imprisoned freedom fighters. She was arrested several times, ultimately becoming an object of police attention when student uprisings occurred in Soweto; police searched her home and took away her children as they believed Winnie had violated Prime Minister Vorster’s 1967 Terrorism Act which authorized arresting anyone deemed an immediate threat to maintaining law and order.
As soon as she was free from jail, she was issued with a banning order prohibiting her from leaving her house between 6pm and 6am, effectively rendering it nearly impossible for her to visit Robben Island and see her husband. It also exposed her to individuals betraying her trust under cover of friendship.
Winnie Mandela continued her campaign despite severe restrictions. As the face of the ANC and an agent for change against apartheid, her presence and symbolism was unparalleled. Though difficult at times and she often found herself engaged in physical conflict with police forces, Winnie never gave up and remains greatly respected by her admirers to this day – as an iconic African freedom fighter she will no doubt find a prominent place in history books!
