South Africa bids a final farewell to Winnie Mandela

South Africa bids a final farewell to Winnie Mandela
Copyright REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
By Lesley Alexander
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Thousands of mourners packed into a Soweto stadium for the funeral of the anti-apartheid campaigner who died on April 2 at the age of 81

ADVERTISEMENT

In a stadium filled to capacity, South Africa has said a final farewell to anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and family members led tributes to the ex-wife of the late Nelson Mandela. She died earlier this month at the age of 81.

Also present at Saturday's funeral were former presidents Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma, dignitaries from African countries and celebrities such as British supermodel Naomi Campbell and US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson.

The service in the Johannesburg township of Soweto closed with a violent storm, interpreted by the crowd as a blessing.

Winnie Mandela was a controversial figure. Allegations of violence tarnished her reputatation in life but in death she has been honoured as a national heroine.

with Reuters

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Remembering Mandela: His Long Walk To Freedom Showed We Can Change The World | View

Athlete Oscar Pistorius released from prison, say authorities

South African Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius granted parole 10 years after killing his girlfriend