President Yoweri Museveni has today hailed Winnie Madikizela Mandela, the former wife of deceased anti-apartheid icon Nelson Lolihala Mandela, for her exemplary role in the struggle against apartheid rule in South Africa.
In a congratulatory message delivered by the Minister of Public Service Wilson Muruli Mukasa upon Ms. Mandela being awarded an honorary doctorate of law from Makerere University, President Museveni noted the 81-year old female political activist and her late husband had contributed immensely to the independence in South Africa in 1994.
“The Mandela family gave their all for Africa. They have no debt with Africa; they contributed to the achievement of emancipation, democracy and some steps toward economic integration in the form of Southern African Development Community (SADC),” President Museveni noted in his message.
He added: “Ms. Mandela remains an important figure in the South African society and in the history of liberation struggle.”
Accompanied by South African High Commissioner Maj Gen Lekoa Solloy Mollo, the award was received by Ms. Mandela’s niece Gandhi Baai who later said that her aunt was not able to turn up for the 68th graduation ceremony.
Upon receiving the Doctorate paraphernalia, staff from the South African High Commission broke out in a song about South Africa’s first Black former First Lady.
Commenting about Ms. Mandela’s doctorate, Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Wanangwe said she was nominated and vetted by a respectable team of scholars at the university.
