(23 Jun 1995) English/Nat
Winnie Mandela, the estranged wife of South African President Nelson Mandela, has made a rare public appearance since investigation into corruption allegations.
Mandela paid her respects Wednesday to the family of ANC leader Harry Gwala who died this week aged 74.
She used the occasion to criticise the ruling African National Congress Party.
Harry Gwala was one of the old guard A-N-C, a militant imprisoned on Robin Island along with President Mandela.
Chairman of Kwazulu Natal Midlands, his ideals did not fit in with the new style ANC and Mandela tried and failed to force him to resign in 1993.
Winnie Mandela was dismissed as deputy cabinet minister for Arts, Science, Culture and Technology by president Mandela in April - tainted by a kidnapping conviction and allegations of corruption.
She remains a member of parliament and is an outspoken critic of her estranged husband's policies.
The area of KwaZulu Natal is under the control of Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi's Inkatha party. Inkatha won the first all race elections there in 1994 by a large margin.
Mandela used the visit as an occasion to attack her estranged husband's ruling party:
SOUNDBITE:
The African National Congress is in government but it is far from being in power. If it was in power this province would not be under Inkatha.
SUPER CAPTION: Winnie Mandela, ex-wife of South African president Nelson Mandela
Mandela has constantly criticised the government for failing to help the oppressed.
She has strong grass roots level backing amongst the country's deprived communities - those who have not benefited from the "new" South Africa and the end of apartheid.
And it is in areas like KwaZulu Natal that she will find willing support among the black masses.
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20 июл 2015
