In the sad light of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s passing: Reasons to keep her in your memory

“It is with profound sadness that we inform the public that Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela passed away at the Netcare Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday the 2nd of April 2018,” said Victor Dlamini, the Mandela Family.

“She died after a long illness, for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year. She succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones.”

https://twitter.com/Sihle_MG/status/980818638998470657

https://twitter.com/NMadzenga/status/980809661514477568

Here are four reasons to keep Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in your memory:

1. In 1958 she married the lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg.
2. A controversial activist, she remained popular among her supporters, who referred to her as the “Mother of the Nation”, and she was offered academic honours abroad. 
3. She held several government positions, including as Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
4. In January 2018, the University Council and University Senate of Makerere University, in Kampala, Uganda, the top-most academic and administrative organs of the university, approved the award of an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree.

Get home to the heart breaking news regarding the death of #WinnieMadikizela 😭💔

— Semakaleng Malau – Mathebula (@_RemoM) April 2, 2018

https://twitter.com/Sihle_MG/status/980821499065053184

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 will release details of the memorial and funeral services once these have been finalised.

Share your condolences for Madikizela-Mandela in the comments section