Play about Winnie Mandela explores Black women's apartheid struggles

Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo, who plays on the role of Winnie, left, with Ayanda Sibisi perform during a rehearsal of the play "The Cry of Winnie Mandela" at Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 26, 2025. Kgomotso "MoMo" Matsunyane, a director of the play "The Cry of Winnie Mandela" speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 26, 2025.

A new play about anti-apartheid icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela seeks to highlight the struggles of Black women in South Africa who had to wait years for their husbands' return from exile, prison or faraway work during decades of white minority rule.