Young South Africans Rank Winnie Mandela Africa’s Greatest Female Liberation Fighter

Young South Africans have ranked Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as Africa’s greatest female liberation fighter in previously unpublished findings from the Africa Youth Survey 2026. The survey found that 51 per cent of respondents chose Winnie Mandela, far ahead of Albertina Sisulu and Helen Joseph, who received six and five per cent respectively. She was also the highest-ranked woman when respondents named figures who sacrificed most in the anti-apartheid struggle. Among those surveyed, 89 per cent described her as one of the movement’s greatest icons, while 76 per cent said her legacy should be judged in the context of apartheid. The findings come as South Africa marks 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March against apartheid pass laws. The survey interviewed 4,901 Africans aged 18 to 24 across 16 countries in March. It also recorded strong concern among young South Africans over gender-based violence, femicide and the protection of women’s rights.

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