Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 02-04-2018
The Mandela family has confirmed that struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has passed away at the age of 81.
The apartheid icon who has been ill for a number of years died at the Netcare Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg on Monday.
Mandela has been in and out of hospital since the start of the year.
Born in in the village of Mbongweni, Bizana, in the Transkei, the former South African first lady was at the at the forefront of the campaign to release her late ex-husband and former statesman Nelson Mandela of his 27-year imprisonment for his fight against apartheid.
Madikizela-Mandela also campaigned for the rights of black South Africans, undergoing arrest and banishment to the small town of Brandfort in the then Orange Free State.
She kept the memory of her imprisoned husband Nelson Mandela alive during his years on Robben Island and helped give the struggle for justice in South Africa one its most recognisable faces.
Madikizela-Mandela dedicated most of her adult life to the cause of the people and for this was known far and wide as the Mother Of The Nation.
The Mandela family says they are deeply saddened by her passing.
“The Mandela family are deeply grateful for the gift of her life and even as our hearts break at her passing, we urge all those who loved her to celebrate this most remarkable woman.”
The family says it would release details of the memorial and funeral services once these have been finalised.
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