Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO ZINDZI MANDELA

By PRINCE THUMBUMUZI | 2020-07-26

One of His Majesty King Sobhuza II’s legacy was his contribution towards the liberation of the Republic of South Africa, having been a supporter of the African National Congress (ANC) and helping protect South Africans living in Eswatini in the 60s until his death in 1982.

This article seeks to capture the role that one of his sons, Prince Thumbumuzi played in supporting the Mandela family while they were in Eswatini. Specifically, the prince pays homage to Ms Zindziswa (Zindzi) Mandela who passed away on July 13, 2020.

In the early 70s, after repeatedly being chased away from schools in South Africa due to their parents’ political standing, the late Ambassador Zindzi Mandela (South African Ambassador to Denmark) and Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini (Current South Africa Ambassador to South Korea), were sent to Eswatini. The first school they attended was Our Lady of Sorrows, in the South of Eswatini.

They later transferred to St Michael’s in Manzini, and thereafter transferred to Waterford Kamhlaba, where Zindzi graduated from high school.

Interestingly enough, during these times all of Nelson Mandela’s children were schooling in Eswatini. Dr. Makaziwe Mandela was at St Michael’s and the late Magkatho Mandela (Mandla Mandela’s father) was at St Christopher’s High School in Luyengo.

I was introduced to Zindzi and Princess Zenani in 1974, when they were attending Waterford Kamhlaba. Their guardian at the time was Dr. Malabane Nxumalo, who was the Minister of Health in Eswatini and I lost touch with them soon after. I reconnected with them again in 1976 just as the youth revolution in South Africa was gaining momentum, and the country was on fire, which then led up to the famous 1976, June 16 riots. Princess Zenani and Zindzi were being sought after by the South African police and it was decided by the family for them to remain in Eswatini during their school holidays.

Upon completing her O’Levels studies at Waterford and a short spell at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) in 1977, which coincided with the release of her mother, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (‘Big Mommy’ as we affectionately called her’) from prison, she returned to South Africa.

Their freedom didn’t last long in Johannesburg, because soon thereafter, Winnie Mandela was banished by the South African Police Service to Brandfort and she took Zindzi to live with her.

That very same year, I married Princess Zenani and we drove to Brandfort searching for them after hearing of ‘Big Mommy’s’ banishment.

That’s where and when I further developed my close relationship with both ‘Big Mommy’ and Zindzi. Princess Zenani and I were part of the few people allowed to visit them during this time.

Every year, whilst under banishment, Princess Zenani and I would join ‘Big Mommy’ and Zindzi to travel to Cape Town to visit their father (Tata Mandela). The close bonds formed were to last us decades leading up to her passing.

How would you describe Zindzi Mandela?

Because of her mother’s direct influence, and the militant environment Ambassador Zindzi was exposed to daily, she herself became militant. When her first son Zondwa was born, she nicknamed him ‘Gaddafi’ after Colonel Gaddafi, the Libyan revolutionary, politician and President.

Although that militant character strength of hers was predominant, Zindzi was very good hearted, welcoming, a vibrant spirit and an extrovert. Anyone who has met her on a good day, will tell you what a pleasure she was to have around. In short, Zindzi was the life of the party!!

Leading up to and after Nelson Mandela’s release…

Zindzi Mandela played a very critical role in the path to the liberation of South Africa. Whilst her sister and I were at school abroad, Ambassador Zindzi was our point of contact on all things political during the ‘Free Mandela Campaign’.

She would send us messages from Tata Mandela and Mrs Mandela, that we would use in our political engagements with various stakeholders, ranging from Friends of South Africa, Civil Rights movements all the way up to presidents in different parts of the world.

These messages included requests for all these nations to apply sanctions on the former South African government to put pressure on them to release Tata Mandela, together with all political prisoners in South Africa and for the country to adopt a democratic system of government.

After Madiba’s release from prison (between 1990 and 1993), Ambassador Zindzi, Princess Zenani and I travelled with President Mandela and Mrs Mandela across the globe, thanking the various nations for their contribution to the liberation of South Africa and to prepare for the elections.

Because of her history with Eswatini, Ambassador Zindzi was very fond of His Majesty King Mswati III, and always shared jokes with him reminiscing about her years in Eswatini.

During our travels, Ambassador Zindzi was always the designated ‘Social Diplomat’.

Zindzi Mandela , the family woman…

When I returned from Boston University in the USA, Ambassador Zindzi, Tata Mandela, Mrs. Winnie Mandela and Princess Zenani with all our children lived together at the house in Soweto (which we called ‘Parliament’).

During dinners at home, Zindzi was always asking Tata to tell us more about what his stay in prison was like.

She was very inquisitive about his imprisonment at Robben Island, Pollsmoor and Victor Verster Prison.

We would all recall how the prison visits would be conducted, in particular laugh about how Tata Mandela would speak in isiXhosa so that the prison guards would not understand what we would be saying to each other.

This would last until he would be reminded by the guards that it was not allowed.

Ambassador Zindzi, as a sister-in-law was amazing. She always offered sound advice on family matters and loved all the children in the family. She loved her family, especially her four children Zoleka, Zondwa, Bambatha and Zwelabo. When I received the call at midnight that they were rushing her to hospital, the last thought in my mind would have been imagining Ambassador Zindzi leaving us so soon.

I had just spoken to her a few days before, checking up on each other and did not realise that would be our last conversation. She was in good spirits and we were planning to meet once the COVID-19 lockdown was over.

We are all devastated by Ambassador Zindzis loss. I will miss her dearly. We were close until the end. I pray that her soul rests in eternal peace.

share story