By Angela Quintal
The ANC split is the cruelest thing to have happened to Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela believes.
"I wish I could close his ears and not let him read. I think all South Africans feel that way," she told The Star in an interview.
The woman, who last year invoked her ex-husband's name in the hope that the ANC's warring factions would unite and heal the deep divisions, said this week that the liberation struggle icon was "deeply hurt".
She said at the time it was "cruel" that "in the twilight of his years" everything he stood for was crumbling. And nearly a year down the line she is equally passionate.
"At least I still have energy to run around and try to put it together, but to have done that to him - although he's not an individual in that sense - is the most cruel thing to have happened."
Despite the unity that Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki displayed at Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations earlier this year, Mbeki has since been recalled as head of state and the breakaway Congress of the People has been formed.
Mandela has steadfastly maintained his public silence on the ructions in the party, with aides repeatedly saying he has retired fully from public life and does not want to be drawn into politics.
Privately, she and Mandela still discuss the "political situation", Madikizela-Mandela revealed.
Asked whether there was any behind-the-scenes involvement by the elder statesman, she replied: "Not at all."
And although the struggle icon has shared his views with her, she is not about to break confidences in the media.
"No, I really wouldn't like to repeat that, but I think that one day when he wants to talk about it, he will do so himself.
"I think that, like me, he is one of those who are deeply hurt."
Continued calls for Madiba to become involved in some way, including as peacemaker, was also dismissed by Madikizela-Mandela. "I think it would be most unfair to even expect him to do anything."
...This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on November 27, 2008, Full interview Page 19
