Tributes pouring in for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Local and international celebrities have taken to Twitter to mourn the death of struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
The struggle veteran passed away at the age of 81.
"She succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones," the family said in a statement.
Actor Idris Elba took to Twitter saying his heart was heavy: "Rest in peace Mama Winnie. My heart is heavy right now. You lived a full and important life contributing to the liberation of a nation by force and ACTUAL ACTIVISM. You will never be forgotten."
Rest in peace Mama Winnie. My heart is heavy right now. You lived a full and important life contributing to the liberation of a nation by force and ACTUAL ACTIVISM. You will never be forgotten. 👊🏾
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) April 2, 2018
Other celebrities and fans also paid tribute to the woman know as “the mother of the nation”.
😭 😭😢😩😫 💔 💔 💔 pic.twitter.com/nahQuQEoYg
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) April 2, 2018
That seismic shift you just felt was the spear of a giant hitting the ground & departing from us mortals. Her battles are our battles, and still to be fully won. Somewhere, her peers of gallantry are inducting her soul into immortality. R.I.P Mama Nomzamo Winnie Mandela pic.twitter.com/m6EsGPPV9A
— DM Higher Education (@ButiManamela) April 2, 2018
When I said we didn't deserve you, I didn't mean you should be taken away 💔
— AthaFontein (@Athabzz) April 2, 2018
RIP Mama, your watch is ended and we'll forever be grateful for the sacrifices ❤️ pic.twitter.com/53avjoCjte
“I’m not sorry. I will never be sorry. I would do everything I did again if I had to. Everything.”#RIPWinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/vflzJPhgEV
— Mrs Linda M (@Linda_Mtoba) April 2, 2018
RIP Winnie. pic.twitter.com/dp8UtjvorK
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) April 2, 2018
Winnie Mandela was a complex & sometimes problematic person but she was also a fighter for freedom, an enermy of great injustice & a world changer without whom #NelsonMandela would have not had the impact he did. That's a legacy worthy of deep & lasting respect https://t.co/RWUwxiYDHb
— Dominic Patten (@DeadlineDominic) April 2, 2018
Winnie Mandela news just broke my spirit to the core. Rest In Peace Black Mother pic.twitter.com/737DPEWGup
— Mmapula (@Mmaps_ThePro) April 2, 2018
You were strong when we couldn’t be. You were a rage that sometimes burned too brightly and you showed us how to be brave and be our fearsome best. Lion. Warrior. Mother. Mkhonto. #WinnieMandela
— Sisonke Msimang (@Sisonkemsimang) April 2, 2018
May she rest in eternal peace 💔💔💔
— Firebrand (@simphiwedana) April 2, 2018
I'll never forget reading about #WinnieMandela and her time in solitary confinement. To endure that type of torture and make it out alive speaks to her strength of mind. Her story is woven into the very fabric of this incredible country. May she rest in peace.
— Yashini Padayachee (@YashPaddy) April 2, 2018
THANK YOU MAMA#WinnieMadikizelaMandela #WinnieMandela pic.twitter.com/DXEkNXS2YH
— Vuvu Worldwide 🌈 (@vuvu_womhlaba) April 2, 2018