Baltimore, MD (April 2, 2018) – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) grieves the passing of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, a lifelong activist and stalwart advocate against apartheid, who died today at the age of 81.
“Ms. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dedicated her life to the mission for which the NAACP stands: justice and equality for all peoples of the African Diaspora,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “Over the course of a long career in the public eye, Ms. Madikizela-Mandela used her platform to advance human rights in South Africa. Along with her former husband, Nelson, Ms. Madikizela-Mandela became a globally-recognized representative of the anti-apartheid struggle. We are saddened by her passing but deeply grateful for the contributions she made in her lifetime.”
“Ms. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s passing underscores the importance of our new partnership with U.N. Women. Together with U.N. Women, an organization working to create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential, we will strengthen our fight to advance racial and gender equality as well as on our common commitment to engaging African Americans and all in the African Diaspora. We hope that our efforts in small part honor the great legacy of Ms. Madikizela-Mandela.”
