South Africa bids farewell to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Millions of South Africans were saying goodbye to anti-apartheid icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as her emotionally charged official funeral began today in Soweto, where she lived until her death on April 2 at 81.

Thousands of mourners packed a 40,000-seat stadium to bid farewell to the powerful figure who will be buried as a national hero, after lively debate over how she should be remembered.

Often called the "Mother of the Nation" and "Mama Winnie," Madikizela-Mandela fought to keep South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle in the international spotlight while her husband, Nelson Mandela, was imprisoned.

Condolences have poured in from around the world in remembrance of one of the 20th century's most prominent political activists.

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who attended the funeral, said on Friday that Madikizela-Mandela was responsible for making the anti-apartheid movement "a global struggle." "She never stopped fighting. She never stopped serving," he told reporters. "She never left the belly of the beast."
Mandela divorced her in 1996, claiming infidelity and saying that after his release from prison, his wife made him "the loneliest man."