Winnie Mandela’s funeral in South Africa

South Africans on Saturday, April 14, stepped out to pay their last tribute to wife of their former president Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. She died on Monday, April 2, at the age of 81.

Winnie who was referred to as the anti-apartheid icon was honored at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa. She was reported dead after in a hospital in Johannesburg after a long illness.

Tens of thousands of mourners came out in loud cheers as the casket carrying Winnie Mandela’s remains was wheeled into the stadium less than two kilometres from her home. The stadium was full.

Photos from Winnie Mandela’s funeral in South Africa.

Her casket was draped with the multi-colored South African flag and placed in the middle of the 37,500-seater stadium in front of a stage, decked in white and yellow flowers. The emotionally charged official funeral began in Soweto, where she lived until her death. She will be buried as a national hero.

The deceased who was fondly called Mama Winnie also fought to keep South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle in the international spotlight while her late husband, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

Late Winnie Mandela's corpse at the Orlando stadium In Soweto, South Africa

Also in attendance of Winnie’s funeral was the civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. On Friday, April 13, he disclosed that the deceased was responsible for making the anti-apartheid movement a global struggle.

See more pictures from the funeral below:

Officers leading the vehicle carrying late Winnie Mandela's corpse to the stadium

Late Winnie Mandela’s remains accompanied by officers to the Orlando stadium in South Africa

Photos from Winnie Mandela’s funeral in South Africa

South Africans out are the stadium to pay their last tribute to late Winnie Mandela

South Africa's Civil Rights leader present at the funeral of late Winnie Mandela