JOHANNESBURG, April 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's liberation struggle icon Winnie Madikizela Mandela was laid to rest on Saturday at Fourways Memorial Park Cemetery in Johannesburg with full military honors.
The government dispatched 600 buses which started collecting people around 4:30 a.m. to the stadium where the service took place.
After family rituals in the morning Madikizela Mandela's body was taken to the stadium draped in the national flag. South Africans stood by the road side as the funeral procession proceeded to the stadium. Many sung liberation struggle songs.
The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the death of Madikizela Mandela, aged 81, has unified people across political divide and beyond the country's borders.
"In death, she has brought us all together, from near and far, across many nations and continents, to mourn, to pay homage, to remember and to fondly reminisce. In death, she has demonstrated that our many differences along political party and racial lines and the numerous disputes we may have are eclipsed by our shared desire to follow her lead in building a just, equitable and caring society. Just as Mam' (mother) Winnie has united us in sorrow, let us honor her memory by uniting in common purpose," said Ramaphosa.
He said the late Madikizela Mandela stood her ground under torture, arrests and forced to live in one place. Ramaphossa said South Africa has a painful history which characterizes the current situation in the country with anger.
He said Madikizela Mandela provided leadership at the most difficult time and never demanded a reward. Ramaphosa said, "We must continue to touch Mama's wounds, acknowledge her immense pain and torment, and pass on the stories of her suffering to future generations so that it may always be known that Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was a giant, a pathfinder, a soldier, a healer, a champion of people's struggles and forever the Mother of the Nation."
Namibian President Hage Geingob praised the late Mother of the Nation for her determination and for never surrendering while being persecuted by the enemy.
Madikizela Mandela's young sister, Zukiswa Madikizela described her sister as fearless, courageous, loving and good at street fighting. Zukiswa was speaking for the Madikizela family at Orlando stadium during the funeral proceedings. She said, "We knew we could always count on her at all times. I encourage women of South Africa to be active and help communities in whatever way we can. Our sister is proof that we are capable of being revolutionaries." said Zukiswa.
King Azenathi Dalindyebo from Abathembu royal family said they were shocked by the death of Madikizela Mandela. Dalindyebo is a traditional leader from the area where Mandela hails from. He described Madikizela Mandela as brave. King Dalindyebo said they wanted Madikizela Mandela to be buried next to Nelson Mandela but had to respect the decision of Madikizela family. The King called on the people to emulate Madikizela Mandela, saying: "More Winnies must rise..."
Madikizela Mandela's grand-daughter, Swati Dlamini Mandela read the obituary of the fallen liberation hero. Dlamini Mandela is the daughter of Zenani Mandela who was sired by Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela.
She said Madikizela Mandela suffered at the brutality of the Apartheid government and humiliation. Dlamini Mandela said, "She endured continuous harassment at the hands of Apartheid security police and subjected to torture while in prison. While the pain she endured during the years could not be forgiven, she did not allow it to break her spirit and humanity. Until the end Mama (Mother) Winnie raised her voice in support of meaningful transformation in the South African society."
Madikizela Mandela's daughter Zenani, broke down on the podium while paying her last respects to her mother. She said Madkizela Mandela showed them lots of love to them. Zenani and her sister Zindzi were raised by their mother while their father Nelson Mandela was in jail for 27 years. Zenani said, "It was my mother who kept his (Nelson Mandela) memory alive. She kept his name on the lips of the people. It is difficult to accept that she is no longer with us."
She fondly spoke of her mother who loved her family and country. She said, Zenani added, "My mother's life was a remarkable one. For those of us who've been close to her, we have always appreciated just how much she meant to the world. (Because) Hers is one of the most unique stories in recent history. She dared to take on one of the most powerful and evil regimes of the past century and she triumphed."
The leader of the South African opposition political party Julius Malema praised the late struggle icon. Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters EFF) praised Madikizela Mandela for being principled and not "selling out". Malema said Madikizela Mandela put the country first above her own personal safety.
The British supermodel Naomi Campbell also addressed the mourners where she also broke down while on the podium. She said the world came to know about Nelson Mandela through the late Madikizela Mandela. Campbell said, "She was a heroine, of a whole continent, a courageous symbol of resistance for all of us. She was the eyes and ears of the world during those dark days. Without her, we wouldn't know anything of grandpa's (Nelson Mandela) struggles, and what he was going through. She was always striving for equality, and to keep South Africa at the forefront of people's thoughts. She was a true inspiration to all."
From the stadium Madikizela Mandela was taken to Fourways Memorial Park Cemetery in Johannesburg where she was laid to rest.
The late Madikizela Mandela united some people as witnessed by the attendance of people across the political divide. The notable ones were mainly the ruling African National Congress and the Economic Freedom Fighters.
South Africa's former Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma also attended the burial. The funeral was also attended by foreign dignitaries from Swaziland, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and an American civil activist Jesse Jackson among others.
Madikizela Mandela was the fifth in a family of 11 and is survived by three sisters. She died on April 2, after a long illness. The President declared 10-day mourning with flags flying at half mast.