HUNDREDS of mourners packed the Gompo Hall last Sunday for people arrived to be part of the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s memorial service. at the Gompo Hall last Sunday.
The service, co-ordinated by the event, which was held by the Duncan Village zonal leadership, saw leaders and residents of Duncan Village mourning the late passing of Madikizela-Mandela, who died on April 2, in Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg at the age of 81 after a long illness.
In attendance at the service were Deputy Minister of Telecommunications, Stella Ndabeni- Abrahams and National Executive Committee (NEC) women’s league member Deborah Nkomose.
Veteran Bella Joyi, 81, who was part of the women’s march to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest against the “dompas” also came to pay her respects.
“It was important for these political women to be part of the service because they are women who know her [Winnie} personally and are following in her footsteps and under her leadership,” deputy secretary of Duncan Village zonal leadership, Desmond Anele Davis, said.
The main speaker of the day was Pam Tshwete of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC), of the African National Congress (ANC) who served with Madikizela-Mandela on the national executive committee of the ANC.
Davis said: “We chose to hold this memorial service in our city as it is a significant event to celebrate the life and times of Mam’ Winnie who played a role in the fight against apartheid.” Davis.
The official funeral proceedings will be held at Orlando Stadium, Soweto, on Saturday.
