What if everything you thought you knew about Winnie Mandela was only part of the story?
The Resurrection of Winnie Mandela by Sisonke Msimang is an important book that shows the often-misunderstood legacy of Winnie Mandela and invites readers to reconsider her place in history.
The general understanding about Winnie Mandela, from my little knowledge, was of a problematic radical and a woman prone to violence. I am now aware of the many layers and intricacies of Winnie herself, her politics and her relationships, and how her legacy has been tainted by sexism, and biased journalism.
There is no denying that Winnie was violent and had problematic relationships. However, this must be shown in the context of a brutal system of apartheid that kept Black people in a constant state of fear. As the author says: ‘We cannot be defined by the worst that we have been.’ As a key member of the African National Congress, Winnie did everything she could to bring down apartheid, often sanctioning violence for the cause.
Winnie was imprisoned, tortured and became a banned person, and waited so long for her beloved husband to be released. They had a great love story however flawed it became.
She had strong political and militant leanings before she met Nelson Mandela and carried on this work for the 27 years he was incarcerated, and after his release.
The author, Sisonke Msimang, writes the story using the second person perspective. In this way, it’s as if the writer is speaking to Winnie herself, firmly placing the reader in Winnie’s shoes. It’s a clever way of really understanding the character from her perspective.
It’s a beautifully written book that forced me to rethink my assumptions. It’s a must read for those interested in the interweaving of gender, race and power.
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