Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
President Akufo-Addo has delegated former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, to lead a team to represent him at the funeral of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Winnie, a former wife of late South African President, Nelson Mandala, died at the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesberg on April 2, 2018.
A memorial service was held for the South African hero yesterday.
Moments after news of her death became public, President Akufo-Addo posted on Facebook “I’m deeply saddened by the news of the death of Winnie Mandela.”
Her name, he said, would “echo down the ages, and will forever be remembered as a freedom fighter and a fearless and remarkable woman, Rest in perfect peace “Mama Wetu.” You’ve earned it.”
A statement issued from the Jubilee House and signed by the Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin on Tuesday, said that “the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is dispatching a government delegation to represent Ghana at the funeral in Soweto, South Africa on Saturday, 14th April, 2018, of the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, renowned freedom fighter and champion of women’s rights.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa described her as the “voice of defiance.”
The President was of the firm belief that her contributions to the liberation of South Africa from the racist ideology of apartheid merits recognition and honour.
The delegation would be led by the former Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who was literally sidelined by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, a party founded by her husband.
She would be accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Charles Owiredu, Deputy Minister for Information, Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, Ambassador-at-Large, Dr Edward Mahama and Protocol Officer at the Office of the President, Ama Serwaa Nyarko.
Winnie Mandela, who separated from Nelson Mandela, died after a long illness.
Moments after her death, the South African Broadcasting Corporation said she was admitted to the hospital at the weekend after she complained of flu.
Winnie, who was charming, intelligent, complex, fiery and eloquent, was afflicted by diabetes and underwent major surgeries over the years.
Winne Mandela (nee Madikizela) was known to most people in the world through her marriage to the revered Nelson Mandela.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that a state funeral would be held to honour her memory.
He subsequently paid a visit to Madikizela-Mandela’s home in Soweto, Johannesburg to commiserate with the bereaved family.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent