The Store Of Phila Ndwendwe - South Africa
Story by: Street Lord
Most people believe that it was men who fought in the trenches during the struggle for a democratic South Africa. Women who contributed their 'manpower' are often forgotten or added as footnotes in the story. 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐍𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐞 is one such woman. Her bravery and sacrifice deserves all the honour and respect.
She was recruited into the 𝐀𝐍𝐂 in 1985. This was to be the start of a dangerous road for her as she joined the MK fighters.
Just three years later, the woman was abducted in Swaziland by apartheid police. During the time of her detainment, she suffered unspeakable horror and was tortured. This was done in an effort to turn her into an informer. Phila was breastfeeding when she was abducted. Her parents were told that she had eloped to Tanzania. Meanwhile, the shallow grave of their child was a mere 10 kilometres from where they lived.
Her death and grave was only discovered after her killers asked for amnesty for her brutal murder. They revealed horrific details about her torture at the TRC hearings. She was repeatedly beaten and kept naked for 10 days. She eventually made herself underwear using a plastic bag.
When they realised they weren't going to get the Commander to betray her comrades, her
killers blindfolded her, took her to a veld and shot her !n the skull. One of the men who murdered Phila described her as, "Brave. Very brave."
When her remains were unearthed, the bullet hole in her skull was evident. Her killer revealed that she was shot in a kneeling position.
We salute you 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐍𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐞.
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Source:wassamaninsider.com
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