Twitter mourns the loss of anti-apartheid activist Winnie Mandela

Twitter is mourning the loss of South Africa's Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the anti-apartheid campaigner and former wife of the late Nelson Mandela.

The activist died following a long illness at age of 81, stated an official statement issued by her family.

Her followers and fans have been outpouring their grief on the social media.

A fan wrote, "A hero, a mother and a legend has passed on. Her legacy will live on and we will remember her as the mother of the nation. We salute you Mother Winnie Mandela. Rest in Peace great soul, Winnie Madikizela Mandela #RIPWinnieMandela #WinnieMandela".

Another fan tweeted, "Power. Bravery. Wisdom. Timeless Beauty. RIP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela".

One fan posted a video of her and wrote, "May Her Revolutionary Soul Rest In Peace. Freedom Fighter. Mother of the Nation. Nomzamo "Winnie" Madikizela-Mandela".

A tweet read, "491 days in solitary confinement. They couldn't get her husband to recant so they went after her, and she ovecame all of them. Thank you, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela".

"Some choose to remember Winnie for what went wrong. On this day I choose to remember her for all that she did at the darkest moment of our struggle. Rest In Peace, Winnie Madikizela Mandela. Hamba Kahle, Comrade Winnie. ", read another comment.

Madela died after a long bout of illness that kept her in and out of the hospital since the beginning of the year.

Mandela and her husband were a symbol of anti-apartheid activism in South Africa. However, her activism was marred by corruption allegations and criminal convictions.

The statement read, "She fought valiantly against the apartheid state and sacrificed her life for the freedom of the country".