Africa in grief by passing of Winnie Mandela: AU Chairperson

ADDIS ABABA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said the African continent is in grief by the passing of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Mahamat said in a statement on Tuesday that Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who was an icon of the liberation struggle against Apartheid in South Africa, "will forever be remembered as a fearless campaigner who sacrificed much of her life for freedom in South Africa."

"The entire African Union family joins the continent in grief at the passing of Winnie Madikazela-Mandela," the Chairperson said in a statement.

Mahamat also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of South Africa.

Madikizela-Mandela, who died in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday at the age of 81, was married to the late South African President and anti-Apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

Noting Madikizela-Mandela's struggle to end Apartheid and relentless fight for women's rights and welfare in her country, the chairperson said "It was in recognition of her formidable contribution to the fight against oppression that she received a lifetime achievement award in 2017 from the AU Commission Chairperson."

"She never relented in her struggle or wavered in her commitment, despite imprisonment, banishment, and decades-long separation from her then husband Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment," the Chairperson said.

She died peacefully surrounded by her family following a long illness that kept her in and out of hospital since the start of the year, her family said in a statement. Enditem