Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was a real daughter of the soil and the rock of our nation, African National Congress Women League (ANCWL) President Bathabile Dlamini said on Tuesday.

“My heart is bleeding but I know the hearts of many a woman is celebrating because of what she did for them,” Dlamini said in a statement.

“South Africa has a long time to wait until she gets such a lioness who fought the apartheid regime as well as the oppression and patriarchy within the ANC, her movement, with the might it deserved.”

Anti-apartheid activist and former wife of the late president Nelson Mandela -- Madikizela-Mandela -- died at the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on Monday, she was 81.

Dlamini said Madikizela-Mandela fought tirelessly, defending the whole nation up until the enemy misguided with the hope of destroying her but she prevailed and as usual stood the test of time.

She said throughout that process of celebrating Madikizela-Mandela’s life, she allowed us to show our small ability to honour her bravery, her love, commitment and ability of an unassuming daughter of the soil. Madikizela-Mandela sent young people out of the country to train as freedom fighters for the liberation, Dlamini said.

“A beautiful woman inside and outside. A beautiful woman who had her contest with the masses of the country. She had the toughest of contests. It was one of war meant to be fought by men and not just ordinary men but only brave men and women who participated in this struggle,” Dlamini said.

“Makhosikazi, let us all in our numbers pray for the spirit of Mom Winnie to Rest In Peace.”