Official funeral for Mam' Winnie
Updated | By Nathan Daniels
African National Congress (ANC) anti-apartheid struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will be laid to rest during a national official funeral on 14 April.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement on Monday evening, after visiting Madikizela-Mandela's family in Soweto.
Scores of mourners descended on her home in Maseli Street to pay their tribute to the stalwart also known as 'the mother of the nation'.
She passed away in a Johannesburg hospital on Monday afternoon at the age of 81.
Family spokesperson Themba Matanzima confirmed on Tuesday that the struggle icon will be buried in Fourways, in the north of Johannesburg.
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“From the family they gave me those details, it is Fourways and if there is any other minor details, they will be communicated properly.”
Concerns over size and appropriateness of the cemetery have been raised.
“That is not open for discussion. I think families decide on these issues. They decided with government. We should not query that. We should accept that, it is decided.”
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa: Winnie was a voice for the voiceless
Ramaphosa lauded the struggle hero, saying "she had this great ability of uniting so many South Africans across the colour lines."
"Winnie Mandela will have a national official funeral which will be held on the 14 April. There will be an official memorial service on the 11th, but then again there will be many other memorial functions right across the country, nearly every province of our nation."
Tributes have been pouring in from across the globe since her death on Monday morning.
Her granddaughter, Zoleka Mandela, posted a collage of photos taken during Madikizela Mandela's last public appearance, when she attended a Good Friday church service.
A post shared by Zoleka Mandela (@zolekamandela) on
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