JOHANNESBURG — A new theatrical production focuses on Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, prominent anti-apartheid figure, spotlighting the plight of Black women whose husbands were absent due to political exile, imprisonment, or distant work during the oppressive era of apartheid in South Africa.
The play is derived from Njabulo Ndebele’s novel, “The Cry of Winnie Mandela,” and delves into themes like solitude, betrayal, and infidelity. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, renowned in the struggle for South Africa’s liberation, faced relentless scrutiny while her husband, Nelson Mandela, and other activists endured prolonged imprisonment. This led to her frequent confrontations with law enforcement.
She was once forcibly moved from her Soweto home to Brandfort, an unfamiliar rural settlement nearly 350 kilometers away, as part of her political harassment.
Despite walking hand-in-hand with Nelson Mandela upon his 1990 release, and raising her fist in defiance, post-apartheid transitions were turbulent for Madikizela-Mandela.
Accusations shadowed her, including allegations of kidnapping and murdering those suspected of being informants during apartheid. Rumors of infidelity during Mandela’s 27-year incarceration further muddied her image, leading to their eventual divorce and distancing from the African National Congress (ANC).
Ndebele was inspired by these trials to document Madikizela-Mandela’s story for future generations, taking into account her sense of isolation and striving against humiliation.
In a critical scene, Madikizela-Mandela is depicted before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where she denied allegations and refused to apologize, stating, “All of you have to reconcile not with me, but the meaning of me.”
The production portrays intimate aspects of the Mandelas’ divorce, and the public spectacle surrounding their marriage’s dissolution, highlighting It director Momo Matsunyane focused on showcasing the resilience of Black women who managed households and children amid political and social upheaval.
Matsunyane emphasized, “It’s about Black women being open and proud, despite apartheid dismantling familial structures. How to raise future Black generations when the home is broken?”
Through various personal stories, the play illustrates struggles faced by women in waiting, like abandoned marriages and husbands who returned changed.
The character of Madikizela-Mandela, portrayed by Thembisa Mdoda, is given the narrative space to address and reflect on her personal decisions and life events amidst the shared experiences of women around her.
Showcasing protest songs from the era, the play runs at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg until mid-March, offering a poignant exploration of fight, identity, and endurance.
