“It seems to be the destiny of freedom fighters to have unstable personal lives. When your life is the struggle, as mine was, there is little room left for family. That has always been my greatest regret, and the most painful aspect of the choice I made.” These painfully honest words are from storied civil rights leader, Nelson Mandela, on his failed marriage to social worker turned activist Winnie Mandela. Taken from his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, these haunting words highlight the personal sacrifices many political figures and freedom fighters make to ensure the world is a better place. Filled with tender moments, groundbreaking accomplishments and controversy, Nelson and Winnie’s marriage did not last. However, we would still like to pay homage to the sacrifices they made and reflect on their diligent work in the fight for freedom for black South Africans.
How They Met
Winnie met lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in 1957. At the time Mr. Mandela was leader of the African National Congress, an organization with the goal of ending South Africa’s apartheid system of racial segregation. In his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, Mr. Mandela related, “I cannot say for certain if there is such a thing as love at first sight, but I do know that the moment I first glimpsed Winnie, I knew I wanted to have her as my wife.” The two married in June 1958, three months after Mandela’s divorce from his first wife, and despite concerns from Winnie’s father over the couple’s age difference and Mandela’s political involvements. After the wedding, Winnie moved into Mandela’s home in Soweto.
Their Marriage
During their marriage Nelson and Winnie had two daughters, Zenani (Zeni), born February 4, 1958, and Zindziswa (Zindzi) Mandela-Hlongwane, born in 1960. In 1962 Mr. Mandela was arrested, convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government, and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia Trial. Their daughter Zindzi was only 18 months old when her father was sent to prison in Robben Island. Mr. Mandela served 27 years in prison and was not freed until his early 70s, in 1990. While he was in jail, Winnie continued to support Mr. Mandela and the fight for freedom, and she suffered because of it. She was placed in solitary confinement, and once she was interrogated by apartheid police continuously for five days without a break. Mr. Mandela’s prison letters to Winnie detail how much he loved and missed his wife and family, and how guilty he felt about not being able to protect them.
During the time that Mr. Mandela was in prison, Winnie became one of the most controversial political figures in South Africa. She is called the “mother of the Nation” by many black South Africans, and is called the “mugger of the Nation” by others. Winnie, some of her bodyguards and supporters were accused of supporting and/or using extreme and violent measures against people who were deemed traitors to the anti-apartheid movement. Winnie has always vehemently denied any involvement in kidnapping or violence against her opposition.
On April 13, 1992, Mandela announced to the world his separation from Winnie. There had been rumors that Mr. Mandela planned to divorce his wife of 34 years because she had become a liability to the anti-apartheid movement and to his organization due to her involvement in several political and social controversies. However, in announcing their separation, Mr. Mandela praised his wife for standing up to the “persecutions heaped upon her” over the years and for raising his children alone during his long absence. “My love for her remains undiminished,” he said. He added that Mrs. Mandela “can continue to rely on my unstinting support during these trying moments in her life” — and that he would never regret the life they “tried to share together.”
Their Legacy
Mr. Mandela would go on to become the first black South African to hold the office and he served as the President of South Africa from 1994-1999. He remarried on his 80th birthday in 1998, to his third wife, Graça Machel. According to an article written by SkyNews.com. Winnie has remained a presence in Nelson’s life, even after his marriage to Machel, and in private Mrs. Machel sometimes refers to herself and Winnie as “[Nelson’s] two wives.” In the face of Mr. Mandela’s recent health issues, Winnie has been very vocal. She was present with Machel at Mr. Mandela’s bedside, and it is very clear that she loves and cares for her former husband and she is still very connected to the movement for equality and justice for black South Africans.
Winnie’s Wedding Look
Winnie looks timeless in her floor length, A-line wedding gown with long lace selves. Brides are still in love with lace, sleeves and modest necklines, and this look is currently taking the runway by storm. We love these elegant dresses by Monique Lhuillier, Jesus Peiro, and Oscar de la Renta.
That really is a gorgeous dress! and the style you will like it too.