NELSON Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has died aged 81 after a long illness, her family has confirmed.

The prominent activist, who was a beacon of hope for South Africans during the darkest days of apartheid, passed away surrounded by her loved ones.

8 Winnie pictured alongside then husband Nelson Mandela, outside Victor Verster jail, moments after his release in February 1990 Credit: Getty - Contributor

Winnie had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year, her family said.

Commonly referred to as the mother of "new" South Africa, Winnie was first admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg with a kidney infection, enca reported.

Mr Dlamini said: "She died after a long illness, for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year.

"She succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones."

8 Winnie was surrounded by her loved ones at a Johannesburg hospital, when she passed away on Monday afternoon Credit: Reuters

8 Winnie Mandela waves as she attends the 54th ANC National Conference in December 2017 Credit: AFP or licensors

8 Nelson and Winnie all smiles on their wedding day in 1958 Credit: Rex Features

MARRIED TO THE STRUGGLE: Winnie's early years Winnie Mandela, was born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela on September 26, 1936.

The fourth of eight children, Winnie became the head girl of her high school and went on to study for a degree in social work in Johannesburg.

She became politicised at an early age in her job as a hospital social worker.

Strikingly attractive and with a steely air - her given name, Nomzamo, means 'one who strives' - the 22-year-old Winnie caught Nelson Mandela's eye at a Soweto bus-stop in 1957.

The pair married a year later, but divorced six years after his release from prison.

Winne often said she was married to the ANC, describing it "as the best marriage I ever had".

Winnie later described her marriage as a sham, despite maintaining close relations with Nelson.

8 Winnie pictured enjoying married life with Nelson in 1962, a year before he was arrested Credit: Collect

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit the family home this evening, African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Gwede Mantashe said.

Winnie, who was married to South Africa's first black president, worked as an activist and a politician even when he was arrested for 27 years.

She campaigned tirelessly for his release and for the rights of black South Africans, suffering years of detention, banishment and arrest by the white authorities.

But her own campaigns against the apartheid regime led to her being imprisoned for months and years under house arrest.

After his release from prison in 1990, the couple's marriage began to fall apart, until they divorced in 1996.

The pair who had two children together, maintained close ties and she kept his surname.

8 Winnie Mandela raises her fist in a black power salute after announcing a massive pop concert will be held to mark Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday, who was in prison at the time Credit: Reuters

8 Winnie, pictured right, at Nelson Mandela's funeral alongside his third wife, Graca Machel Credit: AP:Associated Press

CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE: Mama Winnie's later life Winnie's frequent run-ins with authorities almost undermined her reputation as a fighter against the white-minority regime that ran Africa's most advanced economy from 1948 to 1994.

In 1991 she was convicted over the kidnapping Stompie Moeketsi, a teenage activist who was murdered by a member of her bodyguards.

Her six-year jail term was reduced on appeal to a fine.

She and Mandela separated in 1992 and her reputation slipped further when he sacked her from his cabinet in 1995 after allegations of corruption.

Winnie was also convicted for fraud in 2003, again receiving a suspended sentence.

As the years passed, Winnie's relationship with the party she once loved, ANC (African National Congress) soured.

In 2010, she revealed her contempt for the deal Nelson Mandela struck with South Africa's white minority almost 20 years earlier.

After Nelson Mandela died in December 2013, Winnie recalled feeling an "indescribable sadness".

But she later attacked Nelson's political stance, saying he had gone soft in prison and sold out the black cause.

In 1991, her political activism was marred by a kidnapping and assault conviction, for which she was fined.

She faced these allegations again during the 1997 hearings before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a panel that investigated apartheid-era crimes.

As a parliamentarian after South Africa's first all-race elections, she was convicted of fraud. Still, she was widely venerated in South Africa for her role in fighting white minority rule.

Tributes have been pouring in for the "Mother of South Africa" from religious leaders, A-listers and politicians alike.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said: "May Mam'u Winnie rest in peace and rise in glory.

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Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was for many years a defining symbol of the struggle against apartheid. She refused to be bowed by the imprisonment of her husband, the perpetual harassment of her family by security forces, detentions, bannings and banishment.

"Her courageous defiance was deeply inspirational to me, and to generations of activists.

"Leah and I send our heartfelt condolences to her daughters, grandchildren and extended family.

"May she rest in peace and rise in glory."

Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa's Minister of Police tweeted: "We're devastated to learn the news of the passing of the Mother of our nation, a great architect of our liberation struggle, 'iqhawe lamaqhawe u' Mama # WinnieMandela.

"In our darkest hour she illuminated the very soul of our nation through her tireless commitment to freedom & justice."

Actor Idris Elba, who played Nelson Mandela in film, Long Walk to Freedom, tweeted: "Rest in peace Mama Winnie.

"My heart is heavy right now. You lived a full and important life contributing to the liberation of a nation by force and ACTUAL ACTIVISM.

"You will never be forgotten."

8

Brit singer Estelle tweeted: "She lived for everyone, fought for lives and empowered along the way. RIP to a revolutionary, Winnie Mandela!"

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