Thandolwethu's heartfelt tribute to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
A woman who feared no one and lived an extraordinary life, Winnie Mandela was and still is a queen in my eyes', says Thandolwethu.
I was in the bathtub getting ready to come into the studio to do the show on Monday night when I received a frantic call from my producer, Zama.
Listen, something just happened, I am going to need you to come into the studio early today. Winnie Mandela has just passed away.
I began to sob. I still remember the day that Nelson Mandela was released from prison and that iconic image of him and his then-wife, Winnie Mandela was on our black and white TV screens.
Read: Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Mandela dies at 81
I was young back then. All I remember is everyone was gathered in the streets, dancing and ululating. Looking back then, I wish someone would have dragged me outside to be in the midst of all the commotion and celebratory festivities.
As I grew up in the new South Africa, I started to learn a lot more about apartheid and struggle icons such as Nelson Mandela and uMama Winnie.
I admire her for numerous reasons, one of them being that she completed university - a rarity for black women at the time. She even became the first qualified social worker at Johannesburg's Baragwanath Hospital.
She was also never afraid to voice her opinion albeit how controversial it may be. Let's also not forget about the fashion. Winnie sure had an exquisite and tasteful fashion sense for a mature women like herself.
Rest in Peace, uMama Winnie. Thank you for showing me what it's like to be a strong and courageous South African woman.
Listen as political analyst, Somadoda Fikeni talks to us about Winnie Madikizela- Mandela's legacy below: