Winnie Mandela was ‘huge force’ in anti-apartheid fight
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the controversial former wife of legendary South African President Nelson Mandela, died Monday, her family said. She was 81.
Madikizela-Mandela, known as “Mamma Winnie,” had been ill for several years and was hospitalized recently with kidney problems, the South African website Eyewitness News said.
She was married to the human rights icon from 1958 until their divorce in 1996. For 27 years of their marriage, he was imprisoned by the minoritywhite apartheid regime.
The couple separated after Nelson Mandela was released in 1990 and he became president of South Africa in 1994. He accused his wife of infidelity.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the American civil rights leader, told USA TODAY that the former South Africa first lady was a “huge force” in the Free South Africa movement who deserves credit for helping to keep the anti-apartheid push strong during her husband’s 27 years in prison.
Her controversial reputation stemmed from harsh comments that appeared to promote violence and were critical of her famous ex-husband, along with accusations of murder and a conviction for bank fraud.
While Nelson Mandela sat in prison, confined to intellectual pursuits and letter writing, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s life on the outside put her in the heart of the struggle.
In 2003, she was sentenced to four years in prison on dozens of counts of theft and bank fraud.