South Africa's ex-First Lady, anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies at 81
- 6 years ago
Now for a look at stories making headlines around the world and we start in South Africa.
The former wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, has died at the age of 81.
Her family said she died peacefully in hospital on Monday after battling a long illness.
For more on this and other international news we turn to our Ro Aram….
Aram… give us a rundown on her life…
Well Semin… Winnie Madikizela was just 23 when she married Nelson Mandela.
Within years he was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the struggle against racial apartheid.
She had also been jailed a number of times and was hailed as the mother of "new" South Africa.
The couple divorced in 1996, two years after Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black President.
Their divorce is said to have been sparked by their contrasting views on how to fight against white-minority rule.
Winnie has often been described as more cut-throat and unforgiving, whereas Nelson was an advocate of reconciliation.
In her later year's Winnie Mandela's reputation took a turn for the worst as she was found guilty of being involved in the abduction and murder of a young activist.
A year before their divorce, her husband also sacked her from his Cabinet over allegations of corruption.
In 2003, she was again embroiled in controversy after being convicted of fraud.
Despite the scandals, she still has a strong following and crowds of mourners gathered outside her home in Soweto in Johannesburg.
"The death of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is a great lost in that she has been one of the strongest women in our struggle who suffered immensely under the apartheid regime ….. But not withstanding all this, she remained strong, she remained determined, she was courageous and in many ways she was also very stubborn. Stubborn on behalf of our people because she knew that out of stubborn disposition she would be able to inspire millions of South Africans."
The former wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, has died at the age of 81.
Her family said she died peacefully in hospital on Monday after battling a long illness.
For more on this and other international news we turn to our Ro Aram….
Aram… give us a rundown on her life…
Well Semin… Winnie Madikizela was just 23 when she married Nelson Mandela.
Within years he was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the struggle against racial apartheid.
She had also been jailed a number of times and was hailed as the mother of "new" South Africa.
The couple divorced in 1996, two years after Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black President.
Their divorce is said to have been sparked by their contrasting views on how to fight against white-minority rule.
Winnie has often been described as more cut-throat and unforgiving, whereas Nelson was an advocate of reconciliation.
In her later year's Winnie Mandela's reputation took a turn for the worst as she was found guilty of being involved in the abduction and murder of a young activist.
A year before their divorce, her husband also sacked her from his Cabinet over allegations of corruption.
In 2003, she was again embroiled in controversy after being convicted of fraud.
Despite the scandals, she still has a strong following and crowds of mourners gathered outside her home in Soweto in Johannesburg.
"The death of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is a great lost in that she has been one of the strongest women in our struggle who suffered immensely under the apartheid regime ….. But not withstanding all this, she remained strong, she remained determined, she was courageous and in many ways she was also very stubborn. Stubborn on behalf of our people because she knew that out of stubborn disposition she would be able to inspire millions of South Africans."