Mandela, Winnie Madikizela (Nomzamo) (1934- )

South African civil-rights activist, former wife of Nelson Mandela. A leading spokesperson for the African National Congress (ANC) during Nelson Mandela's imprisonment 1964-90, in 1991 she received a six-year prison sentence for her role in the kidnapping and assault of four youths. Her sentence was later waived and in May 1994, following the ANC's victory in the country's first universal-suffrage elections, she was given a deputy ministerial post in the new government. In 1995 she was dismissed from her cabinet post, following allegations of dereliction of duty. In 2003 she was found guilty of fraud and theft, and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Actively involved in promoting the ANC's cause during her husband's long imprisonment, Winnie Mandela was jailed for a year and put under house arrest several times. In 1989 she was involved in the abduction of four youths, one of whom, Stompie Seipei, was later murdered. She was convicted of kidnapping and assault, and given a six-year jail sentence in May 1991, with the right to appeal. In April 1992 she and Nelson Mandela separated after 33 years of marriage. In the same year she resigned from her ANC posts, including her seat on the ANC National Executive Committee. Her sentence was waived by South Africa's highest court in 1993, and she was later nominated an ANC candidate for the April 1994 elections. She was appointed minister for arts, culture, science, and technology in May 1994, but after allegations of corruption, including the handing out of government contracts in return for kickbacks, she was relieved of her post. In March 1996 her husband was granted a divorce.

Public hearings before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into Winnie Mandela's alleged involvement in at least six murders in the late 1980s were held in early December 1997. Despite damning evidence provided by many and varied witnesses, Mandela denied all the allegations and shifted the blame to the media and her political opponents. Although it became obvious during the hearings that most of the charges against her would not stand up in court, and she did not admit responsibility for any of the crimes she was charged with, the special public hearings did have a negative effect on her political standing. Four days after the end of the hearings ANC sources claimed that the Women's League had withdrawn its nomination of Mrs Mandela for the deputy presidency.