Winnie Mandela: Will She Be Resurrected or Self-Destruct?

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa â€”  Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the much loved and much hated former wife of South African President Nelson Mandela, is once again doing what she does best. She is tying up this country in knots.

Back home after appearing last month at a rally of African American women in Philadelphia, Madikizela-Mandela is poised to steal the spotlight at two of this year’s most anticipated political events: public hearings into the criminal activities of her Mandela United Football Club and the annual convention of the African National Congress, where she is vying for the ruling party’s No. 2 job.

The erstwhile first lady’s admirers are eagerly awaiting a political resurrection that, in the most sanguine scenario, would lead her to the presidency--not as the wife of Nelson Mandela but ultimately as one of his successors.

Her detractors are hoping for a final act of public humiliation and self-destruction, perhaps even inspiring new criminal charges in connection with several unsolved murders linked to the now-disbanded soccer team, which was formed by Madikizela-Mandela in the 1980s.

Madikizela-Mandela was convicted of kidnapping in 1991 in the killing of 14-year-old activist Stompie Seipei and has since been implicated by two suspects in the boy’s death. She denies the allegations and is scheduled to testify next week before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which is looking into 18 alleged human rights violations involving her onetime associates.

Because she has steadfastly refused to seek amnesty from the government panel, which is airing crimes of the apartheid era, the commission was forced to subpoena her to appear.

“The tensions surrounding Winnie Mandela indicate the two different world views in South Africa,� said Vinodh Jaichand, director of Lawyers for Human Rights. “There is great reverence among some for her lifestyle and her contributions to the people. On the other side, the liberal democrats believe she is not above the law and should be subjected to the process. Everyone’s interest now is which world view is likely to be the victor.�

Madikizela-Mandela, never one to shy away from a fight, was a constant irritant for the white government during the 27 years her husband was imprisoned under apartheid. She has long been distrusted by many whites, including some who opposed the former government’s racist policies, because of her sharp tongue, unpredictable dealings and outspoken bitterness toward South African whites in general. She exhibits little interest in President Mandela’s heralded brand of nonracialism and reconciliation.

Now Madikizela-Mandela has turned her populist venom against the leadership of her own ANC.

Unexpectedly elected last spring as head of the ANC Women’s League, Madikizela-Mandela has deflected claims about her past by taking on the ruling party for not delivering on campaign promises to the country’s poorest blacks. The diatribe plays well in many black townships, where the transformation from all-white rule has not changed life measurably.

She has even hinted that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission inquiry into the soccer team--which became notorious for its thuggery and criminal intimidation--has been orchestrated to discredit her on the eve of next month’s ANC convention. President Mandela is expected to step down as head of the ANC, and delegates will choose a new party president and deputy president; the Women’s League nominated her for the deputy post against the wishes of the national leadership.

“She is a very strong contender and has the capacity to hang in there,� said Alfred Stadler, professor of political studies at Witwatersrand University. “It has become clear that if she becomes deputy president of the ANC then her chances of becoming deputy president of the country are markedly enhanced.�