Update: Mandela family speaks out on death of Winnie Mandela

In a media statement issued by the Mandela family, spokesperson Victor Dlamini had the following to say about the death of Winnie Mandela today…

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, April 2.

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 on Monday afternoon, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

BREAKING: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has died

Mrs Madikizela-Mandela was one of the greatest icons of the struggle against apartheid. She fought valiantly against the apartheid state and sacrificed her life for the freedom of the country.

Her activism and resistance to apartheid landed her in jail on numerous occasions, eventually causing her banishment to the small town of Brandfort in the then Orange Free State.

She kept the memory of her imprisoned husband Nelson Mandela alive during his years on Robben Island and helped give the struggle for justice in South Africa one of its most recognisable faces.

Winnie Mandela: South Africa’s flawed heroine

She dedicated most of her adult life to the cause of the people and for this was known far and wide as the “Mother Of The Nation”.

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.