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Winnie Mandela: A Life
Everyone has an opinion about Winnie Mandela, and usually a strong one. She has been adored, feared and hated more than any other woman in South African history. But few people know much about the life behind the headlines, myths and sound-bites. This biography is an in-depth and intimate look at Winnie Mandela’s personal and political life, and takes the reader on a remarkable journey of understanding. The book traces her development from talented and privileged child to dedicated social worker, caring wife and mother, and fiery political activist. It examines her vigorous campaign to keep the name of her jailed husband alive, and explores her own harassment, imprisonment and isolation at the hands of the security police. Finally, the book investigates the events that have made Winnie Mandela such a controversial figure: the allegations of kidnapping and murder, her divorce from Mandela, and the current fraud charges. Winnie Mandela’s journey to this point is traced with understanding and honesty, in this fascinating and balanced biography of a most enigmatic woman.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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September 9, 2009The story of Winnie Madikizela Mandela is chilling, traumatising, inspiring and quite scary. It is a story of laughter, humour, pain, suffering, tribulation; of vigour, tenacity and self determination.
She remains an icon in my life
She remains an icon in my life
December 5, 2014
This was a great read. I got some good insights into this controversial character. Winnie didn't have it easy growing up. I also underestimated the amount of turmoil she faced being married to Madiba during the ANC struggle years. The biographer keeps a balanced view throughout. The section covering the Mandela United Football Club and the death of Stompie Sepei was a real eyeopener. The closing quote from Winnie summed it up pretty nicely: I am the product of the masses of my country, I am the product of my enemy.
March 22, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It was balanced without seeming to bias anyone side. Winnie underwent a lot of turmoil and she wasn't overtly acknowledged at the end of apartheid as I would have expected. Her final statement "I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy" sums up all that she is.
Great read.
Great read.
December 21, 2011
The Mother of South Africa.....but she was human....In my opinion she saved the ANC in the mid 80's...
May 12, 2020
In summary, there is no new South Africa and Nelson Mandela without Winnie Mandela. A fact and my opinion! I wish I read this book when she was alive, but I am encouraged by her strong spirit and tenacity to shoulder the birthing pain of freeing South Africa from the cold grip of apartheid. Women like Winnie deserve a comeback. I hope South Africans and the world never forget her.
Definitely an emotional roller coaster read and I won't be reading it twice.
Definitely an emotional roller coaster read and I won't be reading it twice.
January 12, 2014
Definitely not a critical biography, but filled in a lot of gaps in my knowledge of Winnie Mandela.
April 29, 2025
Winnie Mandela, a life.
En wat voor een leven !
Winnie was de activistische echtgenote van wie eigenlijk verwacht werd dat zij meer onschuldig en plichtsgetrouw zou zijn als vrouw van Nelson Mandela, met wie ze bijna 20 jaar in leeftijd verschilde. Maar het liep allemaal anders, en zij eindigde als de ex in plaats van de ‘First Lady’. Ze scheidden officieel in 1996, twee jaar nadat hij president was geworden.
Zij arriveerde in Johannesburg als een jonge wat naïeve zwarte vrouw van het platteland, met haar bagage op haar hoofd. In de veertig jaar daarna groeide zij uit van de partner van Nelson Mandela tot een zelfstandig politiek icoon. Daarbij worden Winnie en haar kwaliteiten door de auteur wel regelmatig een beetje erg opgehemeld.
Zij had het geluk haar opleiding voltooid te hebben voordat de blanke regering over ging tot de invoering van ‘Bantu education’ (1953, doelstelling : het onderwijssysteem voor zwarte Zuid-Afrikanen te controleren en te beperken, in lijn met de apartheidspolitiek. "There is no place for [the Bantu] in the European community above the level of certain forms of labour."). Winnie voltooide voor die tijd haar volwaardige opleiding tot volwaardig ‘social worker’.
Tijdens het apartheidsregime wordt Winnie haar man, na 4 jaar huwelijk, gevangen gezet, samen met andere ANC kopstukken. Winnie blijft met haar twee dochters, in Johannesburg wonen (8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto). Zij zette de strijd voor rassengelijkheid voort maar wordt daarbij door de Zuid Afrikaanse politie geterroriseerd, voortdurend. Haar huis werd regelmatig doorzocht (soms meerdere keren per week en bij voorkeur ’s nachts) haar telefoon werd afgeluisterd en ze werd fysiek mishandeld tijdens arrestaties. Ze werd vele keren gearresteerd en bracht in totaal bijna 500 dagen door in eenzame opsluiting, waarvan 17 maanden zonder aanklacht. In 1977 werd ze verbannen naar het afgelegen dorp Brandfort, waar ze acht jaar in gedwongen ballingschap woonde. Dat ze in die omstandigheden niet volledig doordraaide is mij een raadsel.
In de jaren 80 raakte ze omringd door geweld en controverses, vooral rond de zogenaamde "Mandela United Football Club", een groep jonge mannen die als haar lijfwacht diende. Zij waren verantwoordelijk voor intimidatie, ontvoeringen en moorden, waaronder die op de 14-jarige Stompie Seipei (1989). In 1991 werd Winnie veroordeeld voor haar betrokkenheid bij deze ontvoeringen en mishandelingen, maar haar gevangenisstraf werd omgezet in een voorwaardelijke straf en een boete.
Tijdens de Waarheids- en Verzoeningscommissie (TRC) in de jaren '90 werd Winnie openlijk bekritiseerd voor haar rol in mensenrechtenschendingen. Op aandringen van Desmond Tutu erkend zij ‘… things went horribly wrong … for that I am deeply sorry’.
De auteur beschrijft vlak voor deze episode wat PTSS is. En dat niet alleen individuen (zoals Winnie) er aan kunnen lijden, maar ook de hele zwarte gemeenschap van Zuid Afrika. Die benadering spreekt mij aan, vooral omdat in het boek de vele door de overheid georkestreerde terreur daden - tegen Winnie persoonlijk maar ook tegen de zwarten in het algemeen – duidelijk beschreven worden. Je wordt er als lezer bijna misselijk van. Maar het overtuigd als verklaring voor het vele bizarre geweld, voor het ontsporen van hele gemeenschappen in de townships. Niet alleen Winnie draaide na al die jaren van overheidsterreur door, de hele zwarte gemeenschap ging er (bijna) aan ten onder.
Ondanks dat Winnie in de loop van haar leven in een aantal opzichten ontspoorde bleef zij voor velen een symbool van verzet tegen apartheid.
Op 14 april 2018 krijgt zij in het Orlando Stadium in Soweto een staatbegrafenis als ‘Mother of the Nation’, bijgewoond door bijna 40.000 Zuid Afrikanen.
En wat voor een leven !
Winnie was de activistische echtgenote van wie eigenlijk verwacht werd dat zij meer onschuldig en plichtsgetrouw zou zijn als vrouw van Nelson Mandela, met wie ze bijna 20 jaar in leeftijd verschilde. Maar het liep allemaal anders, en zij eindigde als de ex in plaats van de ‘First Lady’. Ze scheidden officieel in 1996, twee jaar nadat hij president was geworden.
Zij arriveerde in Johannesburg als een jonge wat naïeve zwarte vrouw van het platteland, met haar bagage op haar hoofd. In de veertig jaar daarna groeide zij uit van de partner van Nelson Mandela tot een zelfstandig politiek icoon. Daarbij worden Winnie en haar kwaliteiten door de auteur wel regelmatig een beetje erg opgehemeld.
Zij had het geluk haar opleiding voltooid te hebben voordat de blanke regering over ging tot de invoering van ‘Bantu education’ (1953, doelstelling : het onderwijssysteem voor zwarte Zuid-Afrikanen te controleren en te beperken, in lijn met de apartheidspolitiek. "There is no place for [the Bantu] in the European community above the level of certain forms of labour."). Winnie voltooide voor die tijd haar volwaardige opleiding tot volwaardig ‘social worker’.
Tijdens het apartheidsregime wordt Winnie haar man, na 4 jaar huwelijk, gevangen gezet, samen met andere ANC kopstukken. Winnie blijft met haar twee dochters, in Johannesburg wonen (8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto). Zij zette de strijd voor rassengelijkheid voort maar wordt daarbij door de Zuid Afrikaanse politie geterroriseerd, voortdurend. Haar huis werd regelmatig doorzocht (soms meerdere keren per week en bij voorkeur ’s nachts) haar telefoon werd afgeluisterd en ze werd fysiek mishandeld tijdens arrestaties. Ze werd vele keren gearresteerd en bracht in totaal bijna 500 dagen door in eenzame opsluiting, waarvan 17 maanden zonder aanklacht. In 1977 werd ze verbannen naar het afgelegen dorp Brandfort, waar ze acht jaar in gedwongen ballingschap woonde. Dat ze in die omstandigheden niet volledig doordraaide is mij een raadsel.
In de jaren 80 raakte ze omringd door geweld en controverses, vooral rond de zogenaamde "Mandela United Football Club", een groep jonge mannen die als haar lijfwacht diende. Zij waren verantwoordelijk voor intimidatie, ontvoeringen en moorden, waaronder die op de 14-jarige Stompie Seipei (1989). In 1991 werd Winnie veroordeeld voor haar betrokkenheid bij deze ontvoeringen en mishandelingen, maar haar gevangenisstraf werd omgezet in een voorwaardelijke straf en een boete.
Tijdens de Waarheids- en Verzoeningscommissie (TRC) in de jaren '90 werd Winnie openlijk bekritiseerd voor haar rol in mensenrechtenschendingen. Op aandringen van Desmond Tutu erkend zij ‘… things went horribly wrong … for that I am deeply sorry’.
De auteur beschrijft vlak voor deze episode wat PTSS is. En dat niet alleen individuen (zoals Winnie) er aan kunnen lijden, maar ook de hele zwarte gemeenschap van Zuid Afrika. Die benadering spreekt mij aan, vooral omdat in het boek de vele door de overheid georkestreerde terreur daden - tegen Winnie persoonlijk maar ook tegen de zwarten in het algemeen – duidelijk beschreven worden. Je wordt er als lezer bijna misselijk van. Maar het overtuigd als verklaring voor het vele bizarre geweld, voor het ontsporen van hele gemeenschappen in de townships. Niet alleen Winnie draaide na al die jaren van overheidsterreur door, de hele zwarte gemeenschap ging er (bijna) aan ten onder.
Ondanks dat Winnie in de loop van haar leven in een aantal opzichten ontspoorde bleef zij voor velen een symbool van verzet tegen apartheid.
Op 14 april 2018 krijgt zij in het Orlando Stadium in Soweto een staatbegrafenis als ‘Mother of the Nation’, bijgewoond door bijna 40.000 Zuid Afrikanen.
September 28, 2017
"With our box of matches and our necklaces, we shall liberate this country" - Winnie Mandela (1986)
With highly inflammatory statements, Winnie Mandela's actions not only shocked her husband but the world at large. Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela Mandela, then wife of renowned prisoner of 27 years, Nelson Mandela had become defiant and irresponsible. Her words and actions were inciting violence, not only, against the whites but towards the black youth.
Winnie Mandela: A Life is a tragic story of a girl with a rural upbringing whose beauty, style and character captivated the political activist and Tembu prince, Nelson Mandela. Together they personified the rising aspirations and political awakening of their people, and, in so doing, inspired a nation.
Born Nomzamo Winfreda Zanyiwe Madikizela, she is the controversial ex wife to Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. She has been adored, feared and hated more than any other woman in South African history. But few people know much about the life behind the headlines, myths and sound-bites.
As a first time author, Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob's Winnie Mandela: A Life is an intimate, in-depth and unbiased biography that reveals the enigma that is Winnie Mandela, by exploring both her personal and political life.
Written in 2003, this biography takes the reader on a remarkable journey of understanding, painting a rich, warm and vivid portrait of one of the world's most charismatic, yet enigmatic, women.
From allegations of kidnapping and murder to her divorce from Nelson Mandela and her charges of fraud, this book is bound to keep you well-entertained for the weekend.
This biography of Winnie Mandela is chilling, traumatising, inspiring and quite scary. It is a story of laughter, humour, pain, suffering, tribulation; of vigour, tenacity and self determination.
With many a story left only for the movies, Winnie Mandela: A Life is a tragic drama. True African story !!
While the World turned its attention to Nelson Mandela, the curtain was about to go up on a drama that would shake her life to the core, and reverberate the world. Winnie Mandela's list of victims was getting longer. Her daughter, Zindzi's involvement was an eye-opener. The most popular name in Africa was being tarnished. A 14 year old ANC Activist Stompie Seipei was found dead. Winnie Mandela was accused.
A sensitive and balanced portrayal, the book investigates and honestly examines the controversies that have dogged Winnie Mandela in recent years.
Behind every strong man, there is a strong woman ?
Winnie Mandela might, for some, have displayed a weakness in character but to others she is the " Mother Of The Nation." Her strength is evident in her words when she responds to Desmond Tutu's plea in front of an expectant and very silent and packed auditorium.
A very well written biography !
Political Journalist and Author, Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob does a good job in writing, "not just the story of a remarkable woman or South Africa under apartheid, but a parable for the courage and compassion of women in war, and the effects of ruthless dictatorship: the brutality of unscrupulous leaders struggling for survival, and the enslavement of man.......".
She adds "....Winnie helped keep alive the struggle against apartheid".
However, some readers might feel that a number of issues were left unsolved. How is it possible that Winnie Mandela escaped prosecution? Or was it indeed a witch-hunt? Was Zindzi ever tried?
Winnie Mandela: A Life also reminds the reader that Winnie Mandela and her children have made personal sacrifices in order that the nation be served.
I recommend this to anyone intrigued by this political figure of almost Shakespearean tragic proportions.
Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrop's Winnie Mandela: A Life ends with a quote from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela that sums it up best:
"I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy".
With highly inflammatory statements, Winnie Mandela's actions not only shocked her husband but the world at large. Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela Mandela, then wife of renowned prisoner of 27 years, Nelson Mandela had become defiant and irresponsible. Her words and actions were inciting violence, not only, against the whites but towards the black youth.
Winnie Mandela: A Life is a tragic story of a girl with a rural upbringing whose beauty, style and character captivated the political activist and Tembu prince, Nelson Mandela. Together they personified the rising aspirations and political awakening of their people, and, in so doing, inspired a nation.
Born Nomzamo Winfreda Zanyiwe Madikizela, she is the controversial ex wife to Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. She has been adored, feared and hated more than any other woman in South African history. But few people know much about the life behind the headlines, myths and sound-bites.
As a first time author, Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob's Winnie Mandela: A Life is an intimate, in-depth and unbiased biography that reveals the enigma that is Winnie Mandela, by exploring both her personal and political life.
Written in 2003, this biography takes the reader on a remarkable journey of understanding, painting a rich, warm and vivid portrait of one of the world's most charismatic, yet enigmatic, women.
From allegations of kidnapping and murder to her divorce from Nelson Mandela and her charges of fraud, this book is bound to keep you well-entertained for the weekend.
This biography of Winnie Mandela is chilling, traumatising, inspiring and quite scary. It is a story of laughter, humour, pain, suffering, tribulation; of vigour, tenacity and self determination.
With many a story left only for the movies, Winnie Mandela: A Life is a tragic drama. True African story !!
While the World turned its attention to Nelson Mandela, the curtain was about to go up on a drama that would shake her life to the core, and reverberate the world. Winnie Mandela's list of victims was getting longer. Her daughter, Zindzi's involvement was an eye-opener. The most popular name in Africa was being tarnished. A 14 year old ANC Activist Stompie Seipei was found dead. Winnie Mandela was accused.
A sensitive and balanced portrayal, the book investigates and honestly examines the controversies that have dogged Winnie Mandela in recent years.
Behind every strong man, there is a strong woman ?
Winnie Mandela might, for some, have displayed a weakness in character but to others she is the " Mother Of The Nation." Her strength is evident in her words when she responds to Desmond Tutu's plea in front of an expectant and very silent and packed auditorium.
A very well written biography !
Political Journalist and Author, Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob does a good job in writing, "not just the story of a remarkable woman or South Africa under apartheid, but a parable for the courage and compassion of women in war, and the effects of ruthless dictatorship: the brutality of unscrupulous leaders struggling for survival, and the enslavement of man.......".
She adds "....Winnie helped keep alive the struggle against apartheid".
However, some readers might feel that a number of issues were left unsolved. How is it possible that Winnie Mandela escaped prosecution? Or was it indeed a witch-hunt? Was Zindzi ever tried?
Winnie Mandela: A Life also reminds the reader that Winnie Mandela and her children have made personal sacrifices in order that the nation be served.
I recommend this to anyone intrigued by this political figure of almost Shakespearean tragic proportions.
Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrop's Winnie Mandela: A Life ends with a quote from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela that sums it up best:
"I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy".
February 2, 2019
For the most part a very well written biography that both flows and informs. A touch glorifying at times and a bit more than I wanted on her early life and a bit less than I wanted about the controversies surrounding her and the use of violence in the 80s and 90s, but a good way to learn more about the workings of the anti-apartheid movement and an especially interesting woman's life to learn about.
January 1, 2021
I do think the authour could have been more impartial, although this is true of a lot of biographies. Some of it was a bit uneven - for example, almost as much time was spent on speculation as to what Mandela was going through well in solitary confinement as was spent on her (well documented) time with the Mandela United Football Club. All that said, I thought the book was an extremely worthwhile read, and provided really interesting insight into Mandela and South Africa.
January 24, 2023
A relatively short book that entails the hardship Winnie Mandela endured during apartheid and really the woman who helped her husband Nelson Mandela become who he was as she was doing a lot of the hardwork while he was inprisoned. She managed to be a community leader, a mother, an activist even through her darkest hours. She was patient with apartheid officers who randomly broke into her home in the middle of the night and many other injustices that were done to her.
March 29, 2020
HOLY SHIT. THIS WOMAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA AND SHOULD BE CELEBRATED MORE THAN HER HUSBAND NELSON.
From the beginning Winnie was destined to greatness, regardless or her union with Nelson. She was an accomplished woman before meeting him and since their union she became confident, powerful and the mother of a nation. This in depth look into Winnie’s personal life as well as her political one, help us understand this enigmatic powerful woman and the struggles she lived being a figure of the ANC and wife to Mandela.
Winnie’s story is traumatizing, chilling, fucking inspiring, tenacity and inspiration. Without her, there is no Nelson Mandela and no apartheid win as she is the backbone who kept the fight alive and who kept Nelson’s name alive. Winnie is simply extraordinary. The author wrote with such good balance and objectivity that you have facts and insights on the controversy and you are left to decide ether or not you believe Winnie or not.
Winnie has lived so many difficult situations but knowing that she was in solitary confinement for a year and a half gave me chills as I cannot fathom the pain and suffering she had gone through. And I visited the prison where Mandela and the ANC people were held and some tortured, I am telling you that place was really scary as you could feel the spirits and pain in the walls and all over. One of the difficult places I visited and I want to go back just to get the detailed tour where they give you historic information and details.
Winnie saved South Africa and that is a fact. She truly is the mother of this nation and fought until the end with all she had.
This book is a must read for any person loving political books or biographies about strong leaders and their upcoming. A MUST READ.
From the beginning Winnie was destined to greatness, regardless or her union with Nelson. She was an accomplished woman before meeting him and since their union she became confident, powerful and the mother of a nation. This in depth look into Winnie’s personal life as well as her political one, help us understand this enigmatic powerful woman and the struggles she lived being a figure of the ANC and wife to Mandela.
Winnie’s story is traumatizing, chilling, fucking inspiring, tenacity and inspiration. Without her, there is no Nelson Mandela and no apartheid win as she is the backbone who kept the fight alive and who kept Nelson’s name alive. Winnie is simply extraordinary. The author wrote with such good balance and objectivity that you have facts and insights on the controversy and you are left to decide ether or not you believe Winnie or not.
Winnie has lived so many difficult situations but knowing that she was in solitary confinement for a year and a half gave me chills as I cannot fathom the pain and suffering she had gone through. And I visited the prison where Mandela and the ANC people were held and some tortured, I am telling you that place was really scary as you could feel the spirits and pain in the walls and all over. One of the difficult places I visited and I want to go back just to get the detailed tour where they give you historic information and details.
Winnie saved South Africa and that is a fact. She truly is the mother of this nation and fought until the end with all she had.
This book is a must read for any person loving political books or biographies about strong leaders and their upcoming. A MUST READ.
October 4, 2021
A woman extraordinaire! - the underrated heroine of the apartheid struggle in South Africa.
Even though she is not celebrated as widely as she should, her contribution to the struggle can never be denied or erased from history.
A wonderful read.
Even though she is not celebrated as widely as she should, her contribution to the struggle can never be denied or erased from history.
A wonderful read.
January 19, 2019
Everything I didn't know about this strong woman.
Read
August 13, 2019A real meaning of sacrifice. 27 years of sacrifice. Such a strong woman
April 29, 2020
This is a well researched book and has helped answer the many questions I have had in the past
May 21, 2024
Everyone needs to read this for the sake of a balanced view of history. The role she played in what is known as modern day South Africa is certainly understated and this book may change that.
June 3, 2025
Beautifully written. In my top ten. A must read.
June 17, 2015
Interesting read!
This is an amazing read. Winnie as a person, political activist, social worker, community developer and mother gains considerable significance than what she is best known as - Mandela's wife. The ties to her father, learning disciplines from a strict catholic mother, arriving in Johannesburg to study social work, dating Mandela's cousin, by chance "romantic"meeting with Mandela and falling love and just a little over two years of married life with him in Soweto, then 27 years without a husband, keeping the Mandela legacy alive primarily through ANC leadership while most male leaders of the party were either in prison or in exile - are some episodes the author describes in great details. While Mandela was away and rightfully upgrading to an international figure in the secured isolated prison environment, Winnie's torture at the hands of the security police and continuous deliberate acts of framing and restricting mobility through banning orders are comparatively mired in silence and some in controversies. Every crisis, every detention, every torture screamed in her the cry to make South Africa an equal rights socialist place to live. The journey of a woman activist leader discarded by her own - Winnie's story is about practical gender politics played by the most noted men. Good read!
This is an amazing read. Winnie as a person, political activist, social worker, community developer and mother gains considerable significance than what she is best known as - Mandela's wife. The ties to her father, learning disciplines from a strict catholic mother, arriving in Johannesburg to study social work, dating Mandela's cousin, by chance "romantic"meeting with Mandela and falling love and just a little over two years of married life with him in Soweto, then 27 years without a husband, keeping the Mandela legacy alive primarily through ANC leadership while most male leaders of the party were either in prison or in exile - are some episodes the author describes in great details. While Mandela was away and rightfully upgrading to an international figure in the secured isolated prison environment, Winnie's torture at the hands of the security police and continuous deliberate acts of framing and restricting mobility through banning orders are comparatively mired in silence and some in controversies. Every crisis, every detention, every torture screamed in her the cry to make South Africa an equal rights socialist place to live. The journey of a woman activist leader discarded by her own - Winnie's story is about practical gender politics played by the most noted men. Good read!
April 26, 2008
An intensely interesting person who wants to learn more about A) Winne Mandela, B) Nelson Mandela (from outside his cult of personality--from an objective source for once), C) The struggles of black women during apartheid, D) a more ordinary account of the average political activists' experiences during apartheid--trust me, they weren't all sent to Robben Island. However, it's not terribly well written, and if you don't want to specifically learn about any of the things listed above, don't bother. That being said, I enjoyed learning more about this, but it's one of the books I'm selling or giving away.
December 26, 2013
After finishing the long walk to freedom I wanted to find out what went on with Winnie in the 20odd yrs she was separate from her husband. The book did not disappoint. I recall the author took quite a while to explain her cultural background which wasn't the most gripping, but once the politics started, it was a roller coaster that you couldn't put down.
September 8, 2015
Good reading
Interesting revelations surrounding Winnie's early life and the latter part of the struggle. Repetitive in parts, almost mirroring Mandela's 'Long walk to freedom' but all in all, a good read.
Interesting revelations surrounding Winnie's early life and the latter part of the struggle. Repetitive in parts, almost mirroring Mandela's 'Long walk to freedom' but all in all, a good read.
May 11, 2008
Fascinating.
August 27, 2011
a must read. beautifully written.
December 19, 2011
South Africa my beautiful country with all it's scary scars. Great book!
August 20, 2012
An understanding of a truly misunderstood struggle figure. I now have a different view of uMama Winnie, thanks to this read my indifference towards her has disappeared.
September 20, 2013
This book is a must read
June 24, 2014
No one can go through what Winnie went through and still remain humane. This book opened my eyes to why Winnie's character changed over the years.
A must read!!!!
A must read!!!!
May 16, 2023
excellent book up until mid-1980's but then quite weak on the period of divorce and Mandela United
February 27, 2018
It is a brilliant book, it is well written and it is one of those that when you start reading you want to finish it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews