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MY MAN: Winnie Madikizela- Mandela and expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema attended the Mandela Day celebrations in Qunu, Eastern Cape, along with Zindzi Mandela and suspended youth leaders Sindiso Magaqa and Floyd Shivambu. They opened a block of rooms at the Mzontsha Child Care Centre in Ngqeleni as part of Madiba's birthday celebrations. Photo: LULAMILE FENI

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Madikizela-Mandela and her daughter Zindzi arrived with Malema and suspended youth leaders Sandiso Magaqa and Floyd Shivambu to officially open a block of rooms at the Mzontsha Child Care Centre at Ngqeleni as part of celebrating former president Nelson Mandela's birthday.

The home was donated by the Mandela family.

Madikizela-Mandela's endorsement of Malema comes hot on the heels of her refusal to attend a Mandela Lecture delivered by President Jacob Zuma in Limpopo. In a letter she lambasted the ANC for "hurting" the Mandela family.

Malema's supporters had tried to disrupt the lecture.

Madikizela-Mandela also applauded Malema for leading the fight for economic freedom to ensure that all South Africans benefited.

She was to have opened the home with Madiba's wife, Graça Machel, but Machel left before she arrived.

They were due to open the block together after they had jointly initiated the project on Madiba's birthday last year.

Machel, who had waited for about an hour, apologised to the Mzontsha Child Care Centre that she had to go.

"I will leave the opening of the building to Mama [Madikizela-Mandela]. She is delayed, but will definitely be here. Madiba is waiting and this is his day, please forgive me," said Machel.

As soon as Machel had left, Madikizela-Mandela's entourage arrived.

Madikizela-Mandela was told by the home board chairman Mveleli Saliwa that Machel had just left and looked disappointed.

"It is a pity that my little sister Graça left," she said.

After opening the home, Madikizela-Mandela said Malema's efforts to economically liberate the country were noticed.

She referred to Malema as her grandson, saying: "Thank you very much for making us see in our lifetime that it is possible to liberate our people economically and better their lives.

"Thank you very much for leading that campaign because it is as a result of your emphasis, the youth league's emphasis, on the role we should be playing as freedom fighters."

The family was to later join Mandela for his birthday lunch at his home in Qunu, but Sowetan could not establish if Malema had joined thefamily.

Madikizela-Mandela said that "our country is in deep trouble as we make promises, and the promises are notfulfilled".

"The children [here] are lucky we made promises and the promises have been kept.

"We see our people today in the streets demonstrating against us ... it is one of the most painful things to observe that 18 years down the line we still have people who say we have failed them," said Madikizela-Mandela.

She said the leaders of the country as they celebrated the 94th birthday of Madiba should remind themselves of his legacy and the role of the ANC in bettering the lives of people.

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Mon May 20 11:28:37 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 19, 2012

truthhurt

I love Tata i do but he is becoming overrated, everywhere you go its Mandela this Mandela that i am sick of it, its like eating way too much oats with a lot of salt in it.

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Jul 19, 2012

Memme

Thatha Malema my President. Wena you rock no matter what they say !
For once i thought you were going to loose weight after being suspened but you are still looking as healthy and happy as always.
Swabisa baloi mokone.
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Jul 19, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

For once in his life the small boy is giving someting I wonder if he lasted 67minutes??? Is it my eyes or is the small boy loosing weight!!!
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Jul 19, 2012

Msknowitall2

Xho juju! stick with mama ma-winnies and you will be famous AGAIN
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Jul 19, 2012

lindsay

@truthhurt
you sound like a hater.

Winnie is like a celebrity who have reached their sell by date always trying to hog the limelight. will you give it up already?
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Jul 19, 2012

Msknowitall2

MorenaWaPolelo
For once in his life the small boy is giving someting I wonder if he lasted 67minutes??? Is it my eyes or is the small boy loosing weight!!!
---------------------------------------------
Its eyes broer
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Jul 19, 2012

MommaC

Do these people EVER turn up on time?
The fricking arrogance and rudeness of them all makes me sick
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Jul 19, 2012

truthhurt

lindsay
@truthhurt
you sound like a hater.

============================================
On the contrary, i am just saying too much of anything is no good.

I love that old man with all my heart i really do, i just dont like what they are turning him into.
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Jul 19, 2012

ntshware-ke-yawa

why is Malema and Winnie so close?
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Jul 19, 2012

Deepstick-C

JUJU my President!
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