East Africa’s oldest tertiary institution, Makerere University is mourning South African anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Madikizela-Mandela who has died aged 81.
In statement, the University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said the passing on of Winnie, the former wife of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela has left him in deep shock.
Prof. Nawangwe said in a tweet: “The news of the passing on of Mama Winnie Mandela has left me in deep shock. It is only two months when I dressed this icon of Africa’s struggle for freedom in Makerere Univesrity’s Honorary PhD gown. Fare thee well, Africa’s great daughter!.”
She was in January 2018 awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws during the 68th graduation ceremony of Makerere being recognised for her contribution towards the fight and eventual elimination of apartheid in South Africa.
The news of the passing on of Mama @WinnieMandela has left me in deep shock. It is only two months when I dressed this icon of Africa’s struggle for freedom in @MakerereU’s Honorary PhD gown. Fare thee well, Africa’s great daughter! pic.twitter.com/Q1vJUj0yZA
— Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (@ProfNawangwe) April 2, 2018
Family spokesman Victor Dlamini said Mrs Mandela “succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones” following a long illness, which had seen her go in and out of hospital since the start of the year.
Retired archbishop and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu praised her as a “defining symbol of the struggle against apartheid”.
“Her courageous defiance was deeply inspirational to me, and to generations of activists,” he added.
