Ex-wife of Nelson Mandela denied entry into Canada
{{date|June 6, 2007}}
{{Canada}}
The [[w:Canadian diplomatic missions|High Commission of Canada]] in [[South Africa]] is not granting ex-wife of [[w:Nelson Mandela|Nelson Mandela]], [[w:Winnie Madikizela-Mandela|Winnie Madikizela-Mandela]], a [[w:visa|visa]] to enter [[Canada]].

Her daughter, [[w:Zindzi Mandela|Zindzi Mandela]], and two security guards were granted a visa.

There is no word as to why Canadian officials refused, but sources speculate that her conviction for being involved in the death of a 14-year-old activist, and other incidents, could be factors.

Madikizela-Mandela is a figure of debate because her supporters in the struggle against [[w:History of South Africa in the apartheid era|apartheid]] were violent. In 1991, she was convicted for kidnapping. In 2003, she was convicted of fraud.

Immigration lawyer, Guidy Mamann, told ''[[w:CBC Radio|CBC Radio]]'': "Generally, if you have a criminal record, you're not wanted in this country, either for permanent residence or to visit as a tourist."

Madikizela-Mandela, 73, was scheduled to speak at a fundraising gala and dinner in [[w:Toronto|Toronto]], on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET. It was named "A Night in Soweto", and was presented by arts organization [[w:MusicaNoir|MusicaNoir]]. According to CanadaNewsWire, [[w:African-American|African-American]] actor [[w:LeVar Burton|LeVar Burton]] flew from [[w:Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]] to Toronto to fill in for Madikizela-Mandela.

An opera named "The Passion of Winnie", about the life of Madikizela-Mandela, is to be presented at Toronto's [[w:Luminato Festival|Luminato Festival]] at 8:00 p.m ET on Friday. It is not known if Madikizela-Mandela will be granted a visa to attend the event.

Luminato's official website stated that it is "an event not to be missed", Madikizela-Mandela is a "fascinating and strong personality", and she demonstrates "rarely displayed true and charismatic leadership". Tickets for the event are CAN$200.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070605/winnie_mandela_070605/20070605?hub=CTVNewsAt11
|title=Winnie Mandela refused entry into Canada
|author=Candian Press
|pub=CTV
|date=June 6, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2007/06/05/winnie-mandela.html
|title=Winnie Mandela denied entry to Canada for arts gala
|author=
|pub=CBC News
|date=June 5, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/June2007/05/c8922.html
|title=Mrs. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela denied access to Canada
|author=
|pub=CanadaNewsWire
|date=June 5, 2007}}

==External links==
*[http://www.luminato.com/english/list.php?eid=20230 Luminato: ''A Night In Soweto'' and ''The Passion of Winnie'']
*[http://www.musicanoir.org/music/winnie.htm MusicaNoir: ''The Passion of Winnie'']

{{wikipediapar|Winnie Madikizela-Mandela}}
{{publish}}
{{archive}}

[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:South Africa]]
[[Category:Art]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Nelson Mandela]]
[[Category:Apartheid]]
[[Category:Immigration]]
The High Commission of Canada in South Africa is not granting ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, a visa to enter Canada.

Her daughter, Zindzi Mandela, and two security guards were granted a visa.

There is no word as to why Canadian officials refused, but sources speculate that her conviction for being involved in the death of a 14-year-old activist, and other incidents, could be factors.

Madikizela-Mandela is a figure of debate because her supporters in the struggle against apartheid were violent. In 1991, she was convicted for kidnapping. In 2003, she was convicted of fraud.

Immigration lawyer, Guidy Mamann, told CBC Radio: "Generally, if you have a criminal record, you're not wanted in this country, either for permanent residence or to visit as a tourist."

Madikizela-Mandela, 73, was scheduled to speak at a fundraising gala and dinner in Toronto, on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET. It was named "A Night in Soweto", and was presented by arts organization MusicaNoir. According to CanadaNewsWire, African-American actor LeVar Burton flew from Los Angeles, California to Toronto to fill in for Madikizela-Mandela.

An opera named "The Passion of Winnie", about the life of Madikizela-Mandela, is to be presented at Toronto's Luminato Festival at 8:00 p.m ET on Friday. It is not known if Madikizela-Mandela will be granted a visa to attend the event.

Luminato's official website stated that it is "an event not to be missed", Madikizela-Mandela is a "fascinating and strong personality", and she demonstrates "rarely displayed true and charismatic leadership". Tickets for the event are CAN$200.
North America Canada Africa South Africa Art Music Culture and entertainment Politics and conflicts Nelson Mandela Apartheid Immigration