This just in. Winnie Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid campaigner and former wife of Nelson Mandela, has passed away. She was 81.
Family spokesman Victor Dlamini said in a statement: “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.”
Here’s the full family statement:
The #Mandela Family statement on the Passing of #WinnieMandela. #RIPWinnieMandela. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/u7O7sK8WdV
— Thabiso Sithole (@ThabisoSithole) April 2, 2018
#BREAKING Winnie Mandela has died at the age of 81, according to her Personal Assistant. Zodwa Zwane says a statement will be released later. Winnie Mandela was an anti-apartheid stalwart and the former wife of Nelson Mandela
— Kimberley Leonard (@KimberleyeLeo) April 2, 2018
BREAKING: South Africa anti-apartheid stalwart Winnie Mandela has died at age 81, personal assistant says. https://t.co/PgJFs2mZV7
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 2, 2018
JUST IN: Winnie Mandela, anti-apartheid campaigner and Nelson Mandela's widow, has died, her assistant says. https://t.co/s7EMFF9f5X pic.twitter.com/a2WHSQaJbU
— ABC News (@ABC) April 2, 2018
RIP Winnie Mandela
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 2, 2018
BREAKING: Anti-apartheid icon Winnie Mandela has died at 81.
She was the former wife of late South African President Nelson Mandela. pic.twitter.com/Ja9eXUUdui
— AJ+ (@ajplus) April 2, 2018