South Africa's Winnie Mandela has died at the age of 81

Anti-apartheid activist, Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela‚ has died at the age of 81.

Her Personal Assistant‚ Zodwa Zwane‚ who confirmed the struggle veteran’s death on Monday afternoon, April 2, said the family would be issuing a statement later in the day.

Born in Bizana in the Eastern Cape in 1936‚ she moved to Johannesburg to study social work after matriculating.

She met lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in 1957 and they were married a year later. They had two children together.

However‚ her marriage life with Mandela was short-lived‚ as he was arrested in 1963 and sentenced to life imprisonment for treason. Mandela was eventually released in 1990.