Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid activist and former wife of the late President Nelson Mandela, has died at the age of 81.

She lived through the struggle with white minority rule in South Africa, she was one of the pioneers of freedom. A great woman, true African Mama, a leader and one of a kind in the history of the continent of Africa. A great loss to South Africa, her family the black race and the entire continent.

Victor Dlamini, the Mandela family spokesperson said in a statement Madikizela-Mandela died peacefully at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg early on Monday, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was suddenly taken in ill over the weekend, it was gathered that she attended good friday church service in Soweto before been admitted into hospital again, although she has been in and out of hospital since the turn of the new year.

“Madikizela-Mandela was one of the greatest icons of the struggle against apartheid. She fought valiantly against the apartheid state and sacrificed her life for the freedom of the country.

She was popularly known as the “Mother of the Nation” because of her struggle against white minority rule in South Africa. It has been said in South Africa that she has not been giving enough credit for her role in the fight against apartheid in the country aside been regarded as the wife of Nelson Mandela. She was much more than just the wife of Nelson Mandela in the great struggle for freedom in the country.

Her activism and resistance to apartheid landed her in jail on numerous occasions, eventually causing her banishment to the small town of Brandfort in the then Orange Free State.

“The Mandela family are deeply grateful for the gift of her life and even as our hearts break at her passing, we urge all those who loved her to celebrate this most remarkable woman.”