SOUTH AFRICA: WINNIE MANDELA PROFILE NO 1

(27 Mar 1995) English/Nat Winnie Mandela, who stood by her husband Nelson throughout his 27 years in jail, has now been sacked from his cabinet. Since her husband's release from jail in 1990 and his rise to the presidency, Winnie Mandela has been convicted of kidnapping and accused of corruption. The controversies, and her recent outspoken criticism of the government, have cost her position as a deputy minister but she remains a member of parliament. Last December's ANC national congress was one of few recent occasions which have brought Winnie and Nelson Mandela together in public. The couple, who have barely shared a home as man and wife and who separated in 1992, rarely show any sign of the love that kept them together throughout his 27 year jail sentence. At the ANC congress, where Winnie came fifth in voting for the national executive, they hugged and kissed like old friends. Nelson and Winnie Mandela married only a few years before he was jailed for life in 1964. Throughout his imprisonment, she kept the spotlight on her husband's plight in an undemocratic South Africa. Since Nelson Mandela became president last year, his estranged wife has made increasingly outspoken attacks against his policies. Last month, she incurred his public wrath by saying at the funeral of a young policeman that the government is not doing enough for the oppressed. SOUNDBITE: "It is a message, a clear signal of not only the state of affairs in our country but also of things to come. It is a cold-blooded and vivid indication of the state of affairs in the so-called new South Africa. SUPER CAPTION: Winnie Mandela - former deputy cabinet minister The president demanded an apology which he eventually got in writing. But only weeks later she angered the president again by making an unauthorised visit to West Africa. While she was away the police raided her house, confiscated documents and accused her of corruption. Despite persistent calls for her sacking, the president opted to wait for firm evidence. SOUNDBITE: "It will not be correct for us to judge anybody on the basis of mere allegations. When there is evidence that those allegations are true and correct then we will be able to examine them with a view to taking any action which would be commensurate with the offences committed." SUPER CAPTION: South African President Nelson Mandela Winnie Mandela has strong grass roots backing amongst deprived communities around Johannesburg. A visit to a squatter camp at the peak of her recent trouble with the police proved the scandal had not affected her standing amongst the black masses. VOXPOPS: "I like her because she has stood for us for a long time in our struggle." "In my eyes she hasn't done anything wrong." "There are good things she has done for the public, many. Especially for the squatters and the destitute." If Winnie Mandela were to set up her own political party, or run for office herself, it is here she would find her support. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...