THE BREASTFEEDING WARRIOR
DATE OF INCIDENT
1998
THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE
26 years
CRIME
Alleged torture and murder in detention
Phila, was also known by her code name Zandile. Her role in not betraying her comrades of the Natal Machinery of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) will be highlighted. She was in the unit that was responsible for the infiltration of MK cadres into Natal. Ndwandwe was recruited into the African National Congress (ANC) in 1985 while she was still a dental therapy student at the then University of Durban Westville (now University of KwaZulu-Natal). Ndwandwe was a sought after target for the Security Police who were hell bent on capturing her.
34 year old chartered account Thabang Mabuza’s mother, Phila Portia Ndwandwe was only 23 years old when she was tortured and killed by apartheid Security Police in 1988 when he was just 5 months old. Today he calls her his Breastfeeding Warrior.
“My name is Thabang Mabuza, I am the son of Phila Portia Ndwandwe and Bhekithemba Bethwell Mabuza. I am a descendant of Mkhonto we Sizwe warriors and they are the reason I’m here today”.
Thabang Mabuza
“I call my mother the Breastfeeding Warrior at the time when she was abducted and killed I was only 3 months old and she was breastfeeding me at the time. And everything that subsequently happened showed that she was a warrior until the end. She decided not to talk and unfortunately, that was how she left this world”.
Thabang Mabuza
Promo
Kerryn Assaizky
“People were riveted. I could hear the intakes of breath and murmurs around me as we watched. You’ve done something important here”
Hloniphile Gabela
“Resonated deeply. I had almost forgotten the pain that came with the ugly revelations of the TRC. Thank you for honouring Phila by telling a story with intention – she must be happy wherever she is”
Tshego Sebolao
“Sad, heart breaking, beautiful, very emotional and jaw dropping. A necessary story to be told and I’m glad there is a platform for the world to see”
Prof. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela
“Wow, brilliant. Exceptionally beautiful even if heart wrenching.”
Harriet Gavshon
“Really powerful, such important work”.
Prof. Kapil Satyapal
“Poignant, excellent documentary”.
Dorothy Calata
“It inspired me to work harder on the psychological healing model for the TRC cases”.
Ilan Lax
“This is a very moving series”.
Antjie Krog
“What a powerful episode!!!”
Thilyn Reddy
“Excellent production and valuable contribution to recognition of freedom fighters. Stirling contribution to graduation of South African struggle history”.
Itumeleng Magoai
Episode 1 highlighted the role of family and how trauma is still prevalent in our society today. The episode also speaks to how we want to accelerate the idea of the rainbow nation.
Yamkela Nkanzela
It was harrowing but necessary in terms of seeing the price that was paid for our freedom and our democracy. It was a poignant documentary, especially in this important voting year.
Tumelo Chipfupa
The episode was a story beautifully told in the sense that the filmmaker handled it with sensitivity and respect due to it being a heavy story filled with history.
Dorothy Calata
My take away from episode 1 is the importance of continually telling the story of victims and their families and what intergenerational trauma causes and its effects.
Nonzamo Nkatshu
Salute to you and your team, Enver. I was triggered throughout the
episode but I am glad these stories are told in their rawness. Looking
forward to the next one.
Jackie Motsepe
Enver Samuel is doing a formidable job in unearthing the stories from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission The half truth told by her assassins at the TRC, earned them their amnesty. Was justice served?
Nondyebo Taki
Thank God for the work you are doing especially the courage and resilience. I really
struggled to cope after viewing the first screening on Truth Be Told Documentary Series :
The Breastfeeding Warrior: Phila Portia Ndwandwe…. Yhoo that painful death stayed with
me, I could not sleep. I felt so sick, I even regretted why I exposed myself to this. The
brutality of the past especially to a young breastfeeding woman. I subsequently had to deal
with it as part of the painful reality that some families had to go through in order for us to
reach this democracy. You are working in this nerve racking environment… I think there is
divine intervention that keeps you sane and focussed.
TRUTH BE TOLD 