Raila Departs to South Africa for Winnie Mandela’s Funeral

Raila Odinga and his wife, Ida departed to South Africa on Friday morning to attend the burial of Winnie Mandela. The couple departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Friday at 8am.

“H.E Raila Odinga and Mama @IdaOdinga departing for Johannesburg South Africa where they shall be attending the funeral of anti-apartheid icon Winnie Mandela” reads a tweet from Raila Odinga.

The two will land in South Africa in time for Winnie’s funeral that is set for Saturday at the Fourways Memorial Park Cemetery in Johannesburg.

Raila eulogised Winnie, who was a close family friend to the Odingas, as a courageous and spirited fighter.

“…[she] led a bitter and dedicated struggle against the brutal Apartheid regime in South Africa, holding fort when her then husband  Nelson Mandela was in detention,” he said.

“In the process, she became the physical symbol and centre of the struggle for freedom in South Africa while the husband remained the spiritual center of the anti-Apartheid movement,” Raila said in a statement after her death.

The anti-apartheid crusader passed away last week at the age of 81 following a long illness.

“In life and death you remain unbreakable,” David Mabuza, South Africa’s Deputy President said at a memorial service on April 11th.

“Yours was a revolution of love seeking to usher a more humane world for all the children in our land, black and white.”