ANC is distressed by the passing-on of Mme Winifred Nkobi

14 August 2012

The African National Congress (ANC) is distressed by the death of one of our struggle veteran and mother, Mme Winifred Keneiloe Nkobi, the second child of the late Rre Tshipinare and Mme Florence Moroka.

Mme Winifred died on the 10th August 2012, at Park Lane Clinic, in Johannesburg, at the age of 81.

Her unconditional love, warmth and kindness to hundreds of our young people, back in exile and home, earned her the name Mangoane.

She was married to Ntate Thomas Titus Nkobi, the former National Organiser of the ANC in 1956. It is in this year that she helped to organise the 1956 Womens match to Pretoria.

She joined her husband in 1963 in Lusaka (Zambia) after Ntate Nkobi and other leaders were ordered by the ANC to leave the country in order to mobilise support in Africa and the rest of the world, over the heightened political activity and harassment by the apartheid regime.

Mangoane was a pillar of strength to ANC freedom fighters in Zambia. She led very actively in the work of the ANC and the ANC Womens League. She was a mother, nurse, counsellor and mentor to many.

Following her return back home in 1991, Mangoane was a committed community worker. At the time of her death, she would go to work every workday at the Sechaba project which made blouses for ANC Womens League.

The ANC is honoured to have had a commitment, dedication and selfless leader who was pre-occupied with nothing but the liberation of our people from oppression, poverty and inequality.

We send our heartfelt condolences to the Nkobi family, friends and her ilk, for the loss of this great leader of our people and a nation builder. Her death is a great loss to SA.

Mangoane is survived her by three (3) sisters, three (3) children, eight (8) grandchildren, two (2) great-grand children and many children all over this country who will always remember her tenderness and warmth.

Rest in peace Mangoane, our leader and comrade.

In honour of Mangoane, a memorial service will be held as follows:
Thursday, 16th August 2012
Methodist church Berea Park
18h30

The funeral service will be held as follows:
Saturday, 18th August 2012
Methodist Church Berea Park
8h00-10h30

She will be buried at the Thomas Nkobi Memorial Park Cemetery (former South Park Cemetery) in Boksburg.

Issued by:

Jackson Mthembu
ANC National Spokesperson
African National Congress
54 Sauer Street
Johannesburg
2001

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