April 3, 2018

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has described the death of  the anti-apartheid crusader, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, as a twilight in the annals of South African history.

Aregbesola, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, on Tuesday in Osogbo, said the late Winnie  represented the last of the titans who freed South Africa from the shackles of white obnoxious rule.

The governor noted that Winnie,  a former wife of the late President Nelson Mandela, exhibited uncommon  strength of character by providing leadership for a people under economic and political bondage.

He said that her husband’s incarceration for 27 years did not deter her, adding that she  rather  picked up the gauntlet and continued the struggle where her husband and other apartheid fighters left it .

Aregbesola said that Winnie did not relent in the struggle until Mandela was freed and South Africa became a free and democratic country.

“Winnie, the South African anti-apartheid campaigner, was undoubtedly one of the strongest humans  in world history.

“Her death signifies the gradual passing away of the last freedom fighters of the apartheid era.

“ She was the last of the Titans.

“The democracy the country is enjoying today; the black majority rule and the shift of democratic power to the indigenous South Africans did not come on a platter of gold, but with the sweat and blood of few brave men and women, which roll call will always place Winnie in the first list.

“Popularly known as the “Mother of the Nation”, her death is the end of an era. Winnie is definitely irreplaceable.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Osun, I send our heartfelt condolences to the Africa National Congress (ANC), the government and entire people of South Africa on the exit of this irrepressible and indefatigable freedom fighter, “the governor said.