Anti-apartheid crusader Nelson Mandela’s estranged wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies at 81.
Former first lady and South Africa anti-apartheid icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela died at the age of 81. Herself a veteran of anti-apartheid died on April 2, 2018, confirmed by her personal assistant Victor Dlamini.
A video of Winnie Mandela filmed nearly a month ago.
Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela Mandela. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World. This was only just the other day... ???????????? 10 March 2018 pic.twitter.com/MyyCWXV9tx
— WINNIE MADIKIZELA MANDELA (@AthiGeleba) April 2, 2018
“She died after a long illness, for which she had been in and out of the hospital since the start of the year,” Family spoke person Victor said, “She succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones.”
Born in Eastern province of South Africa in 1936, Winnie moved to Johannesburg to study social work in 1953 before she meets her future husband Nelson Mandela.
Winnie and Nelson Mandela married in 1958 and divorced in 1996. In almost 3 decades of relation, they spend little time together as they were separated due Nelson Mandela imprisonment. Despite the separation, Winnie was able to share Mandela surname and maintain good ties with him.
CAPTION: Nelson Mandela Estranged Wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela SOURCE: Twitter Winnie was so much like Mandela and acted as a voice of Mandela to the outside world. She took the role very seriously.
ANC Leadership led by President Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa at Mama Winnie Mandela’s home in Soweto #RIPMamaWinnie pic.twitter.com/uETRTaam7S
— African National Congress (@MYANC) April 2, 2018
On Monday, South African Presiden Cyril Ramaphosa arrived Winnie house to pay tribute to her.
Tribute To Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Rest Peacefully Great One Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
In gratitude,
MLH— Ms. Lauryn Hill (@MsLaurynHill) April 2, 2018
President Cyril Ramaphosa: Today we have lost a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a comrade, a leader, and an icon. As SAns, we collectively pass our condolences to the Madikizela & the Mandela families. Your loss is our loss as well. May her Soul Rest In Peace #RIPMamaWinnie pic.twitter.com/6Nj3TFlUKh
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 2, 2018
The South African President announced that the memorial service will be on April 11 & national funeral after three days.