Long Walk to Freedom

Long Walk to Freedom

by

Nelson Mandela

Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela Character Analysis

Winnie is a Xhosa social worker who becomes Mandela’s second wife and an anti-apartheid activist. She marries Mandela not long before his legal troubles begin, and the two of them remain married through the entirety of Mandela’s 27-plus year prison sentence. Mandela states at one point that he believes Winnie’s life outside of prison may have even been harder than his own in prison, due to the fact that in addition to raising a family alone, she dealt with harassment by police and the government as a result of her and Mandela’s political involvement. Mandela announces his divorce to Winnie at a press conference a few years after his release but claims that the separation isn’t due to animosity. Winnie is Mandela’s personal connection to the outside world for much of his time in prison, and she demonstrates how the personal and political intertwine in Mandela’s life.

Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela Quotes in Long Walk to Freedom

The Long Walk to Freedom quotes below are all either spoken by Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela or refer to Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism and Division Theme Icon
).
Chapter 26 Quotes

Her name was Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela, but she was known as Winnie. She had recently completed her studies at the Jan Hofmeyr School of Social Work in Johannesburg and was working as the first black female social worker at Baragwanath Hospital. At the time I paid little attention to her background or legal problem, for something in me was deeply stirred by her presence. I was thinking more of how I could ask her out than how our firm would handle her case. I cannot say for certain if there is such a thing as love at first sight, but I do know that the moment I first glimpsed Winnie Nomzamo, I knew that I wanted to have her as my wife.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela, Evelyn Mase
Page Number: 214
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 51 Quotes

I entered the court that Monday morning wearing a traditional Xhosa leopard-skin kaross instead of a suit and tie. The crowd of supporters rose as one and with raised, clenched fists shouted “Amandla!” and “Ngawethu!” The kaross electrified the spectators, many of whom were friends and family, some of whom had come all the way from the Transkei. Winnie also wore a traditional beaded headdress and an ankle-length Xhosa skirt.

I had chosen traditional dress to emphasize the symbolism that I was a black African walking into a white man’s court. I was literally carrying on my back the history, culture, and heritage of my people.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela
Page Number: 324
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 99 Quotes

De Klerk again excused himself and left the room. After ten minutes he returned with a compromise: yes, I could be released at Victor Verster, but, no, the release could not be postponed. The government had already informed the foreign press that I was to be set free tomorrow and felt they could not renege on that statement. I felt I could not argue with that. In the end, we agreed on the compromise, and Mr. de Klerk poured a tumbler of whisky for each of us to drink in celebration. I raised the glass in a toast, but only pretended to drink; such spirits are too strong for me.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela, F. W. de Klerk
Related Symbols: Car
Page Number: 558
Explanation and Analysis:
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Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela Quotes in Long Walk to Freedom

The Long Walk to Freedom quotes below are all either spoken by Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela or refer to Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism and Division Theme Icon
).
Chapter 26 Quotes

Her name was Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela, but she was known as Winnie. She had recently completed her studies at the Jan Hofmeyr School of Social Work in Johannesburg and was working as the first black female social worker at Baragwanath Hospital. At the time I paid little attention to her background or legal problem, for something in me was deeply stirred by her presence. I was thinking more of how I could ask her out than how our firm would handle her case. I cannot say for certain if there is such a thing as love at first sight, but I do know that the moment I first glimpsed Winnie Nomzamo, I knew that I wanted to have her as my wife.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela, Evelyn Mase
Page Number: 214
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 51 Quotes

I entered the court that Monday morning wearing a traditional Xhosa leopard-skin kaross instead of a suit and tie. The crowd of supporters rose as one and with raised, clenched fists shouted “Amandla!” and “Ngawethu!” The kaross electrified the spectators, many of whom were friends and family, some of whom had come all the way from the Transkei. Winnie also wore a traditional beaded headdress and an ankle-length Xhosa skirt.

I had chosen traditional dress to emphasize the symbolism that I was a black African walking into a white man’s court. I was literally carrying on my back the history, culture, and heritage of my people.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela
Page Number: 324
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 99 Quotes

De Klerk again excused himself and left the room. After ten minutes he returned with a compromise: yes, I could be released at Victor Verster, but, no, the release could not be postponed. The government had already informed the foreign press that I was to be set free tomorrow and felt they could not renege on that statement. I felt I could not argue with that. In the end, we agreed on the compromise, and Mr. de Klerk poured a tumbler of whisky for each of us to drink in celebration. I raised the glass in a toast, but only pretended to drink; such spirits are too strong for me.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela, F. W. de Klerk
Related Symbols: Car
Page Number: 558
Explanation and Analysis: