Markening the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March on National Women’s Day, newly published research from the Africa Youth Survey indicates that 51% of young South Africans regard Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as Africa’s most prominent female liberation hero.
Her recognition vastly outpaces other national anti-apartheid figures, including Albertina Sisulu at 6% and Helen Joseph at 5%. When asked to identify figures who made the greatest sacrifices during the struggle against apartheid, 36% of young respondents selected Madikizela-Mandela. She trails only Nelson Mandela at 61% and Steve Biko at 37%, positioning her as the highest-ranked woman on the list.
Overall, 89% of survey participants described her as a premier icon of the liberation movement, while 81% stated she endured the greatest personal sacrifice among all leaders. Furthermore, 84% view her as a revolutionary figure willing to defy unjust laws, and 76% emphasize that her actions must be understood within the brutal reality of the apartheid system.
The data release follows the success of the seven-part Netflix documentary series The Trials of Winnie Mandela, which premiered on April 23, 2026. Produced by Ivor Ichikowitz, founder of the survey’s commissioning foundation, the series reached the platform’s Top 10 chart in South Africa and sparked nationwide dialogue on her legacy. Parallel to honoring historical figures, the survey highlights deep concerns among contemporary youth regarding gender issues, with 95% reporting anxiety over gender-based violence and femicide, and 93% stating that women’s rights remain insufficiently protected.
Conducted by PSB Insights in March 2026, the latest Africa Youth Survey interviewed 4,901 individuals aged 18 to 24 across 16 countries. Established in 2020, the recurring research program has surveyed over 18,000 young people across 28 African nations to track generational attitudes toward leadership, governance, social change, and international relations.
ABJ/APA