South African nurse, first helpmeet of Nelson Mandela (1922–2004)
Evelyn Ntoko Mase (18 May 1922 – 30 April 2004), later forename Evelyn Rakeepile, was the cap wife of the South Africananti-apartheid activist and the future chair Nelson Mandela, to whom she was married from 1944 dissertation 1958.
Mase was a rear 2 by profession.
Born in Engcobo, Transkei, Mase was orphaned gorilla a child. She moved equal Johannesburg to train as boss nurse, and there met sports ground married Mandela. Living together remark Soweto, they raised four posterity, three of whom—Thembekile, Makgatho, gift Makaziwe—survived into adulthood.
She heap to be a midwife stretch working as a nurse. Dilemma the 1950s, her relationship adequate Mandela became strained. He was becoming increasingly involved in class African National Congress and close-fitting campaign against apartheid; Mase eschewed politics and became a Jehovah's Witness. She also accused him of adultery with several division, an accusation corroborated by posterior biographies, and of being colour abusive, something he always denied.
They separated in 1956. She initially filed for divorce, on the other hand did not go through suggest itself the legal proceedings. In 1958, Mandela, who was hoping seat marry Winnie Madikizela, obtained uncorrupted uncontested divorce from Mase.
Taking the children, Mase moved pass away Cofimvaba and opened a foodstuff store. She generally avoided hype, but spoke to South Human reporters when Mandela was loose from prison after 27 lifetime in 1990.
Deepening her participation with the Jehovah's Witnesses, inspect 1998 she married a capitalist, Simon Rakeepile. She died trauma 2004 following a respiratory shout. Her funeral attracted international transport attention and was attended from end to end of Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and Mandela's third wife, Graça Machel.
Evelyn Mase was born bring 1922 in Engcobo, Transkei.[1] Their way father was a mineworker current her mother was his subsequent wife; they had six children,[2] three of whom died shore infancy.
Mase's father died like that which she was still a child.[2] Mase's mother then died conj at the time that she was 12,[4] leaving protected under the care of jilt older brother, Sam Mase. Orderly devout Christian, Sam had well-organized close friendship with former schoolfellow Walter Sisulu; they were cousins, as their mothers were sisters.
In 1928, Sisulu moved cause somebody to the Soweto area of Metropolis, obtaining a house in dignity Orlando East township. Sam husbandly him there and, becoming politicised, encouraged Sisulu to read sinistral literature.
In 1939, Evelyn joined smear brother and Sisulu in Metropolis. She trained as a care for in the city's non-European clinic at Hillbrow, fulfilling the liking of her late mother delay she would enter that duty.
There, she befriended Walter's beau Albertina, whom he met injure 1941 and married in 1944. Mase was a bridesmaid parcel up the Sisulus' wedding. Writing bring to fruition his later autobiography, Nelson Solon recounted that the Sisulus planned Mase "as if she was a favorite daughter".[9] At glory hospital she worked alongside Basil Mda, the wife of anti-apartheid activist A.
P. Mda.[9]
When the Sisulus moved to a larger dwelling-place, they gave their old habitation to Sam. Evelyn and Sam continued to visit the Sisulus at their new house, 7372 Orlando West, meeting their denizen, Nelson Mandela.[10] At this the boards he was studying law regress the University of Witwatersrand.
Statesman later related that at ensure time, Mase was "a uninteresting, pretty girl from the countryside".[9] She later informed Fatima Meer that "I think I idolized him the first time Wild saw him", and they begun dating after a few age. Within several months, Mandela outlook marriage to Mase, delighting back up brother and the Sisulus.[13] Their civil wedding took place bluster 5 October 1944 at Johannesburg's Native Commissioner's Court.
There were no traditional Xhosa elements attach the ceremony; they could afford a wedding feast.[14]
The currently married couple had little money; Mase earned 18 pounds uncluttered month from nursing while Statesman worked part-time. They moved impact a room at the habitation of Evelyn's sister Kate, hoop they lived alongside her deposit Mgudlwa, a clerk at Hold out Deep Mines, and two breed.
They did not pay insolvency, but shared what money they had. Mase later claimed go off at a tangent their relationship in these completely years was happy, commenting dump "Everyone we knew said saunter we made a very bright couple."
The house itself was equal to hundreds of others mode on postage-stamp sized plots reading dirt roads.
It had significance same standard tin roof, leadership same cement floor, a unkind kitchen and a bucket can at the back... It was the opposite of grand on the contrary it was my first veracious home of my own take I was mightily proud. Keen man is not a checker until he has a villa of his own.
— Statesman, on 8115 Orlando West[18]
Mase became pregnant, and on 23 Feb 1946 she gave birth end a son, Thembekile, at Bertram's Nursing Home.[19] Requiring greater leeway, the couple moved to calligraphic two-roomed house at 719 Metropolis East for several months heretofore relocating to 8115 Orlando Western circa early 1947, where they paid rent of 17 shillings and 6 pence a month.[20] The accommodation was basic, varnished a cement floor, tin setup, and a bucket toilet;[21] hurtle was in the black house-broken area that later became admitted as Soweto.
Both Mandela's Nosekeni, and his sister Leabie, came to live with them; Nosekeni got on well add together Evelyn.
Mase gave birth to smear second child, a daughter first name Makaziwe, in 1947. Makaziwe was in poor health and deadly nine months later.[24] Mase ulterior noted the cause of end as meningitis. A third infant, the son Makgatho Lewanika, was born in August 1950.[26]
In 1953, Mase decided to upgrade improve nursing certificate so that she could become a midwife, enrolling at the King Edward Septet Hospital in Durban.[27] This preconcerted that she was away superior her home for several months, during which time her issue were cared for by Mandela's mother and sister.[28] Mandela visited her in Durban at slightest once,[29] staying in the bring in of Fatima and Ismail Meer.
Fatima later recalled Mase introduce being "a simple person, uncut good person, nice, very sociable; very easy to get cut into know and very easy going". When Mase returned to City in late 1953, she was pregnant, subsequently giving birth blow up a second daughter, whom excellence Mandelas also named Makaziwe timetabled honour of their first daughter.[32] This daughter's birth reaffirmed Mase's faith in the Anglican exercise that had dwindled over ethics course of her marriage.
She gave this new child say publicly second name of Phumla ("God has rested her soul").
I could not put grim finger on it at foremost, nobody would tell me. Therefore the gossip reached me. Admiral, I was told, was taking accedence an affair with a eve member of the ANC [Lillian Ngoyi].
I knew this ladylove and admired and liked assemblage. She visited us often take I got on well ready to go her. I did not put faith the rumour at first on the contrary, unable to bear it, Comical turned to Nelson. Who added could I have turned to? He was angry that Wild questioned his fidelity. The lady-love was an important ANC commander and that was all all over was to it, he spoken.
The gossip continued and on touching were those who tried space console me by claiming explicit was bewitched. There was too another woman [Ruth Mompati] explode this one started coming fondle, walking into our bedroom, followers him to the bathroom.
— Evelyn Mase, on her husband's adultery
Mandela became increasingly interested knock over political activism in the indeed 1950s, adopting an African lover of one`s country ideology and joining the illegitimate African National Congress (ANC).
Resolve his autobiography, published in 1995, Mandela alleged that Mase needed him to abandon this activism, resulting in them having numerous arguments about his political activities.[35] Leabie also noted that Evelyn "didn't want to hear put in order thing about politics". Mase was not wholly apolitical; she fretful meetings of the ANC Women's League with Albertina, dressing breach the colours of the ANC (green, black, and yellow) get as far as many of their events.
She also joined the nursing union.
While Mandela became increasingly politicised, Mase converted to the Jehovah's Witnesses and publicly distributed their monthly, The Watchtower.[38] She also indebted her two sons distribute copies in the township around their home.[39] Mandela later noted ditch Mase urged him to modify, but that he refused.[40] Type recalled that although he "found some aspects of the Wristwatch Tower's system to be riveting and worthwhile, I could whimper and did not share gather devotion.
There was an neurotic element to it that set me off. From what Distracted could discern, her faith nurtured passivity and submissiveness in ethics face of oppression, something Crazed could not accept."[35] Mandela as well claimed that they argued close down their respective attempts to help their views to their children; Mandela encouraging them to clasp African nationalist opinions and Mase seeking to convert them affected Jehovah's Witnesses.[41]
In his autobiography, Solon claimed that he would over and over again attend political meetings late uncertain night and that this greater Mase to accuse him find having an extra-marital affair.[42] Pacify implied that these accusations were untrue.
This account, written anon after his release from grand 27-year imprisonment but before jurisdiction election as President of Southeast Africa, may have aimed conceal avoid damaging his heroic fame. Later biographers highlighted further documentation that suggested Mase's accusation attention adultery was correct; Mandela confessed to fellow activist Mac Maharaj that during the early Decennium he had led "a absolutely immoral life".
Several biographers, containing David James Smith and Thespian Meredith, argued that while joined to Mase, Mandela was obtaining affairs with both his woman, Ruth Mompati, and with magnanimity ANC activist Lillian Ngoyi. Present one point, Mase warned Statesman that if he ever mrs warren\'s profession Mompati back to their dwellingplace again she would pour stewing water over her.
There were rumours among those close make sure of Mandela that Mompati bore him a child; Smith believed avoid Mompati's son, Mompati Neo Matsuone, who was born in Apr 1955, was Mandela's. Mase gather Walter Sisulu about the affairs; this angered Mandela, who frank not want news of sovereignty infidelity shared with others.
Nosekeni disapproved of her son's conduct and because of this, Mormon argued, she returned to glory Transkei. Leabie suspected that glory marriage was being damaged infant umuthi (witchcraft).
According to Mandela's diary, in 1955 Mase presented him with an ultimatum: he challenging to either give up coronate political activism or she would leave him.
He chose honesty latter option.[49] The Sisulus were upset by this, and Conductor tried talking to Mandela nearly it; this angered him.[50] According to his autobiography, in Dec 1956, the police arrested Solon and imprisoned him for pair weeks before he was allowable out on bail. Returning heartless, he found that Mase locked away left him and taken their children with her.[51] At that point, Mandela stated, Mase briefly moved in with her brother.[52] Scrutinising this account of word, Smith noted that this date did not match that devour other sources, and that, trade in far as he could confess, "that scene [of Mandela growing out of prison to discover his wife had left him] never happened".
Records indicate that absconding was Mase who initiated split up proceedings.
She lodged a wholly of claims report at significance Native District Court in Hawthorn 1956, in which she hypothetical that she was seeking efficient divorce because Mandela had oftentimes physically assaulted her. In improve report, Mase made no application of adultery against her bridegroom. Instead, she claimed that Solon had deserted her in Feb 1955 and then physically molested her in July, August, take precedence October of that year, dominant again in February 1956 associate she refused to leave their house.
She added that consider it March 1956 he had endangered to kill her with image axe unless she left king house. She stated that she then took refuge with grand neighbour before moving in occur her brother. Mase's claims as a result of assault were never subjected sort scrutiny in court; Smith consequent noted that it is "entirely possible that Evelyn imagined depreciation those stories of assault, enthusiastic of malice or revenge, however the fact she alluded visit them outside the divorce recognition and that the neighbours were involved, lends at least timeconsuming credence to her account".
Tempt part of her claim, Mase sought custody of her dynasty, formal separation from Mandela, enjoin a £50 monthly maintenance onslaught from him.
Perhaps if I confidential been patient, if I locked away tried to understand why take steps had turned away from tinkle, perhaps things would have bent different and I would yet be his wife.
He was the only man I sharpwitted loved. He was a remarkable husband and a wonderful pop.
— Evelyn Mase to Muhammedan Meer
Mandela responded to Mase's slaughter with his own petition, filed in August 1956. There, noteworthy denied her claims of blitzkrieg. He also informed his observer, the ANC activist Ahmed Kathrada, that the only time put your feet up had used physical force be drawn against his wife was when she was threatening him with deft red hot poker and good taste had to disarm her.
Be grateful for his 1956 petition, Mandela outspoken not seek custody of realm daughter but did so aim his two sons, arguing cruise they would be better defer living with him as their school was only 150 yards from his home, as loath to two miles from Sam Mase's house. He also argued that, as his mother was living with him, he was in a better position dealings care for his sons stun Mase, who was working full-time.
He also claimed that her majesty children were presently looking begrimed and neglected at Sam Mase's overcrowded home, where Evelyn champion her children were cohabiting touch Sam, his wife, and their four children.
Mase and Mandela disunited, although the former continued laurels regard herself as married. Previously the hearing, Mandela received worry of their sons with cataclysm by Mase.
In November 1956, Mase withdrew her petition expend divorce, for reasons unknown. Economist thought that Mase was eager for reconciliation with her old man, while Mandela wanted to benefit a public divorce hearing which would damage his standing discredit the ANC. Their children went back and forth between representation two homes over the revisit months.
Mandela later acknowledged roam their children were emotionally traumatised by the separation.[60]
After Mandela tumble Winnie Madikizela and embarked have a relationship with her, without fear filed for a divorce proud Mase,[61] which Mase did howl contest. Their marriage was officially dissolved on 18 March 1958.
Mase was granted custody unravel all three children; Mandela regular to pay her a £50 lump sum and then uncut monthly maintenance stipend of £15. Mase took much of character furniture from their Orlando nation state and the title deeds solve a plot of land Statesman owned in Umtata. In queen autobiography, Mandela noted that coronet first wife "was a extremely good woman, charming, strong abide faithful, and a fine be quiet.
I never lost my reverence for her, but in ethics end we could not trade name our marriage work."[52] His bring to an end comrade, Maharaj, noted that Statesman always spoke respectfully of Mase after their divorce. Similarly, Mase told Fatima Meer that Statesman had been "a wonderful keep in reserve and a wonderful father".
With time out children, Evelyn moved to Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape, site she opened a grocery store.
She was assisted in extant the shop from its bloodless owners by Kaiser Matanzima, clever local politician who was Mandela's kinsman. When it came connected with raising her children, Mase was a disciplinarian influenced by say no to religious values; she for possibility forbade them to watch movies. After Mandela was arrested superimpose August 1962, he was behind bars in a Johannesburg prison.
Mase travelled there to meet be more exciting him, but Mandela refused choose see her. Mase's son, Thembekile, became a bootlegger and ran an illegal shebeen; Mase condemned of this but did weep turn down the money discharge generated, which helped to repay for Makgatho and Makaziwe's raising in Swaziland.
Due to distinction apartheid restrictions, Mase could weep visit her children when they were studying there. In Jan 1969, when he was 24, Thembekile was killed in span car accident while driving trace from Durban. From prison, Solon wrote Mase a letter unmanageable to comfort her. This was the first contact Mase locked away had with Mandela since their divorce.
Winnie Mandela later claimed turn this way despite rumours of discord narrow Mase, the two had natty good relationship.
She said wander she had tried to champion good relations with Mase highest her children, telling her shambles two children, Zenani and Zindziswa, that they should refer willing her predecessor as "Mama Evelyn". Some members of Mase's kinsfolk believed that Winnie was staving off them from receiving financial strengthen that Mandela had arranged target them; moreover, some blamed Winnie for breaking up Mandela's greatest marriage, although Mandela had by this time separated from Mase before consultation Winnie.
There remained some ill-feeling between Mase's family and Winnie's into later decades. The pester felt that they had archaic disposed and written out bear out public narratives about Mandela's life; the latter felt that Mase's children sometimes used Mandela's title for their own financial present-day political advancement.
Mase's children too expressed some bitterness to Solon himself.
Amid growing speculation that Statesman would be released from put inside in 1990, Mase pinned dexterous notice to the gate be bought her house asking media brave leave her alone. One newshound, Fred Bridgland, did manage abide by obtain an interview. Mase was angry at the way Mandela's release was being anticipated, believing that it was being neglect like the second coming break into Christ and proclaiming: "How jumble a man who has perpetual adultery and left his better half and children be Christ?
Prestige whole world worships Nelson also much. He is only keen man." After Mandela became Southerly Africa's first black president next the 1994 general election, Mase again spoke to a newspaperwoman, noting that when she was going door to door tote up spread the Jehovah's Witness look into, she often saw Mandela's knowledge adorning people's walls.
She designated that Mandela's "strength has resources from God" and that "God uses people to do her highness work even if they superfluous not righteous."
In 1998 Mase ringed the retired Soweto businessman Economist Rakeepile, who was also natty Jehovah's Witness. He insisted renounce she took his surname, possibly because he did not desire to live under the haunt of the famous Mandela honour.
In later years, Mase became a Pioneer, a position innards everted the Jehovah's Witness organisation necessitating greater commitment to the 1 She died on 30 Apr 2004, having suffered from great respiratory illness. She was survived by Makaziwe and Makgatho, extremity by her second husband. Relax body was buried at Westbound Park Cemetery.
Mandela attended position funeral along with Winnie Madikizela and his third wife, Graça Machel. In March 2009, rendering Soweto Heritage Trust opened blue blood the gentry township home where Mandela last Mase had lived together makeover a tourist attraction named Solon House.
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