Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, notable South African anti-apartheid activist and former wife of South African President Nelson Mandela, passed away April 2, 2018, at the age of 81. She had been in and out of the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa since the beginning of the year battling an illness. She succumbed to the illness peacefully in the early hours of the morning surrounded by friends and family.

Winnie and her husband were both international symbols of resistance to apartheid (white-minority rule in South Africa). When Nelson Mandela was jailed due to his activism, Winnie picked up the torch and continued where he left off. She became known as the “Mother of the Nation” because of her anti-apartheid efforts and was later jailed as well for her role in the fight. Their marriage lasted for the duration they were in jail and afterwards, but they eventually divorced when Nelson Mandela was elected President. South Africa will dearly miss their social warrior and continue to celebrate her remarkable life.