Thousands attended the ceremony on April 14, 2018.
GULSHAN KHAN/AFP/Getty Images
Published April 16, 2018
Published 4 months ago
After succumbing to a long illness, anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was laid to rest in Johannesburg, South Africa on April 14, 2018. The complicated figure received an official burial from the African National Congress, South Africa's ruling party and the party of her former husband, Nelson Mandela, who served as South Africa's President from 1994 to 1999. Tens of thousands of mourners filled the stadium where the official service was held. (Pictured above: a memorial to Madikizela-Mandela at her home in Soweto.)
Charlie Shoemaker/Getty ImagesFlowers and SongWomen gather at Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's home in Soweto on April 12, 2018. In the days leading up to her funeral, many paid tribute to the "Mother of the Nation."
Charlie Shoemaker/Getty ImagesLast RespectsMourners line the streets as Madikizela-Mandela's body is transported home on April 13, 2018, the day before her funeral.GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty ImagesSaying GoodbyeA mourner waits for Madikizela-Mandela's hearse on April 13, 2018.Charlie Shoemaker/Getty ImagesA Massive GatheringThousands attend the state ceremony at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on April 14, 2018.
Charlie Shoemaker/Getty ImagesAll in GreenWomen dressed in green honor Madikizela-Mandela at her funeral.WIKUS DE WET/AFP/Getty ImagesHer Daughters RememberWinnie Madikizela-Mandela's daughters, Zenani Mandela-Diamini (left) and Zindzi Mandela (center), and granddaughter (right) address the crowd at her funeral. "Long before it was fashionable to call for Nelson Mandela's release from Robben Island," Zenani Mandela-Diamini said, "it was my mother who kept his memory alive."WIKUS DE WET/AFP/Getty ImagesBeyond FashionModel Naomi Campbell also spoke at Madikizela-Mandela's funeral, calling her "the epitome of courage and strength" and a "heroine of the whole continent."
GULSHAN KHAN/AFP/Getty ImagesA Moving EulogyThe Reverend Jesse Jackson attended the ceremonies as well, as did South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who delivered the official eulogy. "Her life was dedicated to the unity of the daughters and sons of the African soil," he said. "Her life was dedicated to the unity of the oppressed of all nations. In death‚ she has brought us all together‚ from near and far‚ across many nations and continents‚ to mourn‚ to pay homage‚ to remember and to fondly reminisce. In death, she has demonstrated that our many differences along political party and racial lines and the numerous disputes we may have are eclipsed by our shared desire to follow her lead in building a just‚ equitable and caring society."
