African National Congress (ANC) First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane has celebrated the life and times of the late struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela Mandela at an event at Phola Park in Thokoza, east of Johannesburg.

Mokonyane visited a house that was used to hold secret meetings for Madikizela Mandela, which is now used as a day care centre.

Together with members of the Gauteng Women’s League, they handed over a donation of blankets and linen.

She urges those from her political home to keep the late stalwart’s legacy alive by serving the people.

“When it is time to celebrate, celebrate with them, don’t only come to them to seek a vote. The renewal of the ANC also includes appreciating and embracing those who played a role and particularly the unsung heroines. You can’t lead them if you don’t love them, and we are teaching those that are coming after Nomzamo to say love them, be amongst them, live amongst the,m and when it is time to cry, cry with them, when it is time to mourn, mourn with them, when it is time to celebrate, celebrate with them. Don’t only come to them to seek a vote,” adds Mokonyane.

[WATCH]: Today we are in Tokoza , Celebrating Mama Winnie Mandela’s 89th Birthday. We remember her resilience and her great contribution to this beautiful nation filled with heritage and Diversity .

Happy Birthday Mama Winnie Mandela 🖤💚💛#SheMultiplied pic.twitter.com/Zvb18rsl5O

— Nomvula Mokonyane (@nomvulamoko_) September 26, 2025

PA’s threat

Furthermore, Mokonyane has refused to be drawn to comment on the Patriotic Alliance’s (PA) threat to withdraw from the Government of National Unity (GNU) next week.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, PA leader Gayton McKenzie said if his deputy, Kenny Kunene, is not reinstated as the MMC of Transport in Johannesburg, his party would pull out of all coalition agreements with the ANC.

Mokonyane declines to comment on that issue, as well as Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s failure to appear before the ANC’s Integrity Commission on allegations of political interference made against him by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

“The ANC has channels to interact with the Patriotic Alliance, the same goes with comrade Senzo, there are processes, and I think we need to be given space, and they must also be given space. Everything is under control,” says Mokonyane.

ANC 1st Deputy Secretary General, Cde Nomvula Mokonyane, will deliver the keynote address at the Mme Winnie Mandela Birthday Programme on Friday, 26 September 2025, at Phola Park Hall, Thokoza, Ekurhuleni. She will speak on the connection between cultural identity and political… pic.twitter.com/46SXYvF7YF

— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) September 25, 2025

#SABCNews ANC 1st DSG Nomvula Mokonyane leads the Gauteng Women’s League in making a donation to the Spixolo Crèche in Phosa Park in Thokozs Park on the birthday of the late stalwart Winnie Madikizela Mandela. The would have been 88 this year. pic.twitter.com/tY2pLlKlRQ

— Busi Bopela (@BusiBopela) September 26, 2025