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
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
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
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
SEE ALSO: All the action from Winnie Mandela’s 80th birthday party
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
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
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
SEE ALSO: Happy birthday mama!
The passion… that passion!!!! #RIPWinnieMandela ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ #WinnieMandela #WinnieMadikizelaMandela pic.twitter.com/RYjaFmezaI
— Gugulethu Mtshali (@thophi88) April 2, 2018
Our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and the nation. May her beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.
