PM hails Winnie Mandela as champion of freedom

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has hailed the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as a champion of freedom.

The anti-apartheid freedom campaigner died today in her homeland South Africa. She was 81 years old.

Holness said Winnie's death brings into focus the significant struggle of black people against racism and in particular, apartheid in South Africa.

"Winnie Mandela was a symbol of the black struggle against oppression and injustice. We here in Jamaica supported her in that struggle as she maintained the legacy of her then husband Nelson Mandela while he was locked away for 27 years," said the prime minister in a release from the Office of the Prime Minister this afternoon.

He made note the tremendous impact that both Winnie and her late ex-husband Nelson Mandela had on him and the world.

“As a young man the Mandelas were inspirations to me and many of my peers. We were cognizant of the evolution of the struggle that culminated in the release of Nelson Mandela and majority black rule. We still strongly remember their visit to Jamaica in 1991 as I know do many Jamaicans today”.

Holness added that Winnie is immortalised in the Jamaican socio-cultural consciousness with songs and stories about her life and struggles.

“Winnie is a part of us. We identified with her struggle and we recorded songs about her. Jamaica embraced her not just as the wife of Nelson Mandela but importantly the mother of modern South Africa - a woman who was a freedom fighter and liberator in her own right”.

He said Jamaica has lost a friend and inspiration. 

The prime minister has since conveyed condolences on behalf of the people of Jamaica, to the nation of South Africa.