Winnie Madikizela-Mandela timeline

13 April 2018

As South Africans pay tribute to veteran anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the BBC charts her tumultuous life with an interactive timeline of key events.

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1936

26 September

Winnie Madikizela is born in Bizana in the Transkei (Eastern Cape).

1957

The young social worker meets Nelson Mandela, a lawyer and prominent anti-apartheid activist. They marry a year later.

1964

Mr Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment. His wife campaigns tirelessly for his release and becomes the face of resistance against apartheid.

1969

She is jailed and spends 491 days in solitary confinement.

1977

The authorities banish her to Brandfort, a small town in Free State province, for nearly a decade.

1986

She gives a controversial speech endorsing "necklacing", placing a tyre around the necks of suspected collaborators with the regime and burning them alive. "Together, hand in hand, with our matches and our necklaces, we shall liberate this country," she says.

1990

Nelson Mandela is released from prison after 27 years. His wife is at the gates to meet him.

1991

Convicted of the kidnapping and assault of 14-year-old Stompie Seipei, who was seized by her bodyguards in 1989 and later found dead. She denies any wrongdoing but is found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison, later reduced to a fine.

1993

Elected president of the African National Congress Women's League. She is re-elected in 1997.

1994

Appointed deputy minister of arts, culture, science and technology in Mr Mandela's unity government. She is fired after allegations of corruption emerge.

1996

After 38 years of marriage, the couple divorce and she adopts the surname "Madikizela-Mandela".

2003

Convicted of fraud and theft over a bank loan scam. The theft conviction was later overturned but she received a suspended sentence of three years and six months for fraud.

2007

Re-elected to parliament. She remains popular among poor, black South Africans and the youth.

2018

2 April

After battling a long illness Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies peacefully in hospital.

26 September

Winnie Madikizela is born in Bizana in the Transkei (Eastern Cape).
The young social worker meets Nelson Mandela, a lawyer and prominent anti-apartheid activist. They marry a year later.
Mr Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment. His wife campaigns tirelessly for his release and becomes the face of resistance against apartheid.
She is jailed and spends 491 days in solitary confinement.
The authorities banish her to Brandfort, a small town in Free State province, for nearly a decade.
She gives a controversial speech endorsing "necklacing", placing a tyre around the necks of suspected collaborators with the regime and burning them alive. "Together, hand in hand, with our matches and our necklaces, we shall liberate this country," she says.
Nelson Mandela is released from prison after 27 years. His wife is at the gates to meet him.
Convicted of the kidnapping and assault of 14-year-old Stompie Seipei, who was seized by her bodyguards in 1989 and later found dead. She denies any wrongdoing but is found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison, later reduced to a fine.
Elected president of the African National Congress Women's League. She is re-elected in 1997.
Appointed deputy minister of arts, culture, science and technology in Mr Mandela's unity government. She is fired after allegations of corruption emerge.
After 38 years of marriage, the couple divorce and she adopts the surname "Madikizela-Mandela".
Convicted of fraud and theft over a bank loan scam. The theft conviction was later overturned but she received a suspended sentence of three years and six months for fraud.
Re-elected to parliament. She remains popular among poor, black South Africans and the youth.
2 April

After battling a long illness Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies peacefully in hospital.

Credits: Development: Olawale Malomo. Design: Olaniyi Adebimpe. Research: Yemisi Adegoke.

Photo Credits: AFP, Getty Images, Reuters.