A new play exploring the life of anti-apartheid icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela seeks to shed light on the struggles of Black women in South Africa, particularly those who had to endure long separations from their husbands during apartheid. Adapted from Njabulo Ndebele’s novel The Cry of Winnie Mandela, the play delves into themes of loneliness, infidelity, betrayal, and the emotional toll of apartheid.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of Nelson Mandela, became one of the most prominent faces of South Africa’s liberation struggle during her husband’s 27 years in prison. However, the play also highlights her suffering, including her forced relocation from Soweto to Brandfort, where she faced constant harassment by the apartheid regime. Following Nelson Mandela’s release and their eventual reunion, post-apartheid South Africa proved to be tumultuous for Winnie, as she faced allegations of kidnapping and murder related to her anti-apartheid activism, as well as accusations of infidelity.
The play, directed by Momo Matsunyane, examines the complexities of Madikizela-Mandela’s life and the broader experience of Black women who had to balance the fight for freedom with the challenges of raising children and managing households in the absence of their husbands. Matsunyane emphasized the importance of portraying Black women as strong, vulnerable, and unapologetically sexual, acknowledging how apartheid shattered the Black family structure.
A key moment in the play reflects Madikizela-Mandela’s appearance before South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where she defended her actions and rejected calls for an apology, asserting the need to reconcile with the meaning of her life, rather than with her personally. The play also touches on her public divorce from Nelson Mandela, the intimate details of their relationship, and the public rumors of her alleged extramarital affairs.
The story includes a poignant moment where women who were part of the “Ibandla Labafazi Abalindileyo” (Organization of Women in Waiting) share their personal experiences of abandonment, rejection, and the pain of being left behind by their husbands during apartheid’s brutal separation tactics.
The play, which combines powerful storytelling with protest music from the era, opened at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg and will run until March 15, offering a reflection on the legacy of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and the resilience of Black women who played vital roles in South Africa’s liberation struggle.
