Winnie Mandela has died at the age of 81 today 2 April 2018, crowds gathered in South Africa to celebrate her life. A formidable political figure in her own right the wife of Nelson Mandela kept the fight against apartheid alive after her husband was incarcerated in 1964. Her death was announced by her spokesperson stating “she died after a long illness”. She has been in and out of hospital since the beginning of the year.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Winnie he said:
“She was courageous and in many ways she was also very stubborn, stubborn on behalf of her people because she knew that out of her stubborn disposition she would be able to inspire millions of South Africans”.
A state funeral is planned for the 14th April 2018.
