SA mourns Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

ANC struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has died at the age of 81. The liberation struggle leader’s family announced the news through a statement posted on social media.

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 2 April 2018.#RIPWinnie pic.twitter.com/K6BF6VxZmp

— Winnie Mandela (@winniemandela) April 3, 2018

The news saw an outpouring of tributes, messages of condolences, celebration and mourning for the life of the powerful and phenomenal freedom fighter on social media.

Here’s a look at a few of the messages.

As a freedom fighter, your body had served its purpose. Your soul had done what it came to do, learned what it came to learn, and then was free to leave. We are because of you!

Rest in Power Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. pic.twitter.com/Zaa9BHIIxj

— Naledi Pandor (@NalediPandor) April 2, 2018

Rest Peacefully Great One Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

In gratitude,
MLH

— Ms. Lauryn Hill (@MsLaurynHill) April 2, 2018

Rest in eternal Power, Mama Nomzamo. You fought a phenomenal fight. Your work of courage, resilience and heroism lives on forever. A hero! A mother! A legend! Thank you, thank you, thank you. ✊???❤️#RIPWinnieMandela #MotherOfTheNation ??

A post shared by Boitumelo Thulo (@boity) on Apr 2, 2018 at 9:37am PDT

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had no complex past: You don’t confront white supremacy head on, fearlessly & refuse to be broken by it & expect that those that benefited from its rule will call you a hero. But we know better that she gave her life so we can be.

— Mahlatse Mahlase (@hlatseentle) April 3, 2018

Today, we mourn the loss of beloved Freedom Fighter Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. She fought tirelessly against  Apartheid in South Africa to see her people free from bondage. May her legacy live on and continue to transform the lives of many. Rest in Power, Ms. Mandela. pic.twitter.com/jq2lBAqKC1

— T.D. Jakes (@BishopJakes) April 2, 2018

RIP Mama… ?????

A post shared by Bonang Matheba (@bonang_m) on Apr 2, 2018 at 8:23am PDT

WINNIE Madikizela-Mandela (Sept. 26, 1936-Apr. 2, 2018): Asked in 1994 about possibility of reconciliation with Madiba, Winnie said: “I am not fighting to be the country’s First Lady. In fact, I am not the sort of person to carry beautiful flowers and be an ornament to everyone” pic.twitter.com/S6R9YWoAkv

— Charles Onyango-Obbo (@cobbo3) April 2, 2018

President @MBuhari has described the passing away of South-African anti-apartheid icon, Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, as a huge loss to Africa, of a courageous woman.

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) April 2, 2018

I’m standing outside the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela home here in Soweto. The singing from the throngs of those who’ve come to pay their respects takes me back to the days of our coverage of the anti-apartheid protests. Winnie led that struggle from the front. #RIPWinnieMandela

— Milton Nkosi (@nkosi_milton) April 2, 2018

A towering figure of African womanhood and activism, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, is dead. We grew up admiring her courage and got older appreciating her challenges. She will be missed.

Photo Credit: ZBC pic.twitter.com/Xw9bpMo191

— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) April 2, 2018

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

#RIP MAMA WINNIE-MADIKIZELA MANDELA THANK YOU FOR YOUR LIFE and YOUR SACRIFICE!! ✊?✊?✊????????????

A post shared by Celeste Ntuli (@celestentuli) on Apr 2, 2018 at 7:48am PDT

This evening, I learned that Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had left us. The news is saddening, for we have lost a heroine and a liberator.

— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) April 2, 2018

#RIP #motherofthenation #winniemadikizelamandela Mandela #anc #southafrica #soweto #struggle #freedomfighter #antiapartheidactivist

A post shared by Shawn Walters (@shawnwalters) on Apr 2, 2018 at 1:21pm PDT

“There is no longer anything I can fear. There is nothing the apartheid government has not done to me. There isn’t any pain I haven’t known.” – #WinnieMadikizelaMandela. #ripwinniemandela? Rest in peace and power Mam

A post shared by Mfundiso Sithole (@mfundisosithole) on Apr 2, 2018 at 1:40pm PDT

SEE ALSO: All the action from Winnie Mandela’s 80th birthday party

To the mother of our nation, REST IN POWER Mama. You’ve served us well. ✊?❤️. #winniemadikizelamandela #MamaWinnie #Qhawe

A post shared by Ayanda Mavuso (@yaya_mavuso) on Apr 2, 2018 at 10:44pm PDT

Fierce✊? tenacious✊? unrelenting✊? gentle beautiful queen-mother of our nation. Long live the spirit of you!! Rest in power mama❤️ #RIPWinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/FUnTPIKgSX

— Mamma-Samúrai (@SamkeloNdlovu) April 2, 2018

‪Lala ngoxolo qhawe lama qhawe #MamaNomzamo #WinnieMandela ‬

A post shared by Economic Freedom Fighters (@effsouthafrica) on Apr 2, 2018 at 8:54am PDT

the world changes, revolutionaries die. and the children forget.the ghetto is our first love and our dreams are drenched in gold.we don’t even cry… Nizilibel’uba nizalwa ngobani… Madikizela -Qhawe @thandiswamazwai #RIPWinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/5uoxHWpQd1

— ThandyM ? (@ThandyM) April 2, 2018

The reason why I had to be the woman that I am today #MyInspiration #Mama♥️

A post shared by Kelly Khumalo (@kellykhumaloza) on Apr 2, 2018 at 10:19am PDT

She was pure love. She was power. Her voice ever unshaken and fearless. This is a dark hour. We have lost more than we recognise. Farewell Mama. Hamba Kahle Mama Wethu! Robala sentle Mmasechaba! #RIPWinnieMandela

— Mme a Masakona (@FloMasebe) April 2, 2018

 

“If we had known you/ in a time of peace/ we would have loved/ your peacefulness/ your quiet so deep/ it did not hear/ the call/to fight./ We missed our chance.”

– Winnie Mandela, We Love You by Alice Walker#RIPWinnieMandela ❤ pic.twitter.com/Jx6s4mg72e

— aunty noba (@NovaTruly) April 2, 2018

Mandela’s Letter to Winnie While he was in Prison. #RIPWinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/Yl1ZTSAnfS

— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) April 2, 2018

Makeba once said “The conqueror writes history. They came,they conquered&they wrote! Now you don’t expect people who came to invade us to write the truth about us,they will always write negative things about us because they have to justify their invasion” #RIPWinnieMandela ✊?

— Our mother has died (@thandiswamazwai) April 3, 2018

She made broken look beautiful and strong invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings. Rest In Peace Mama. We will never forget. #RestInPeaceWinnieMandela #WarriorWoman

A post shared by LEANNE DLAMINI | LDH (@iamleanned) on Apr 2, 2018 at 9:55pm PDT

SEE ALSO: Happy birthday mama!

An iconic stalwart. A family woman. Rest in heavenly peace Mam’ Madikizela-Mandela. ? Love, light and condolences to your family ?

A post shared by P E A R L ? M O D I A D I E (@pearlmodiadie) on Apr 2, 2018 at 9:08am PDT

The passion… that passion!!!! #RIPWinnieMandela ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ #WinnieMandela #WinnieMadikizelaMandela pic.twitter.com/RYjaFmezaI

— Gugulethu Mtshali (@thophi88) April 2, 2018

The face of women in Africa has taken her final bow. My heart is broken. At the same time I feel blessed to have lived and been in yo presence mama. Lala ngoxolo

A post shared by Somizi (@somizi) on Apr 2, 2018 at 7:50am PDT

She was incredibly strong world leader #hero #legend #fearless #fighter and beautiful .. This moment was special to me .I felt her #love #warmth and power. Mama #winniemandela we love you ❤️ #R.I.P. freedom fighter .. Amandla✊?

A post shared by Thembi Seete (@thembiseete_) on Apr 2, 2018 at 9:07am PDT

Charismatic. Powerful. Potent. Fierce. Intelligent. Captivating. Mama. Robala ka kagisho, ntwa o e lole. ✊????? #ripwinniemandela?

A post shared by Tumi Morake (@tumi_morake) on Apr 2, 2018 at 11:52am PDT

Our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and the nation. May her beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.