Winnie Mandela

In an editorial approving the ouster of Winnie Mandela from Nelson Mandela’s South African government (April 2), The Times makes reference to the respect she has earned in South Africa for the leadership she demonstrated during the 27 years of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment.

Without Winnie Mandela’s fearless leadership, without her loyalty to their shared cause, without the “spout(ing)” of “inflammatory rhetoric” and defiance of which you accuse her, the historic transfer of power you say she’s now ignoring could not have happened. Indeed, without her, the government from which she has just been booted would not exist and Nelson Mandela, who just booted her, would still be in prison. She is a hero, and rightly so, to the South African people and to many others.

And here is how she is shamefully repaid for her years of leadership and loyalty, and for continuing to fight for justice and speak the truth: with disloyalty from her estranged but now powerful husband, and with disrespect from The Times.

S. MARLENE HEAD

Oxnard