CLAIMS REGARDING MAMA WINNIE ABSENTEEISM INACCURATE

12 June 2015

The New Age story claiming ANC veteran and Member of Parliament in the National Assembly has not attended sittings are inaccurate. She has in fact attended several sittings, including but not limited to, the State of the Nation Address and the Budget Speeches.

Given her standing in our society as the Mother of the Nation, her fragile health and the myriad social obligations that demands her attention both as a parliamentarian and a veteran, the Chief Whip has taken a decision to excuse Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela from most of the Cape Town-based parliamentary programmes. Her schedule is designed in such a way that it allows her to fulfill her parliamentary constituency and other social obligations which are characteristic to the person of her stature in our society. She is in constant liaison with the office of the Chief Whip regarding the programmes she undertakes outside of Parliament and the state of her health, including forwarding medical certificates from her doctor.

Some of the important tasks of a parliamentarian are to serve the people, be rooted amongst them and intervene decisively where there are problems. In this regard, we are pleased with Mama Winnie’s constant interaction and visibility amongst the people, including her intervention at problems-hit areas. Her public interaction is mostly conducted through her Mamelodi Constituency Office.

While the work that she does is appreciated and encouraged, the Chief Whip often persuades her not to push herself too hard given her fragile health, which is normal for the person of her age. The Chief Whip is regularly informed of her medical check-ups and state of health.

Mama-Winnie’s programme is therefore a matter that has been arranged and agreed upon between herself and the Office of the Chief Whip, taking into consideration her health and the demands of her community outreach programmes.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, June 12 2015