Condolences poured in on Twitter for anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who died at 81.

Mandela, who was a controversial figure, was once married to former South African President Nelson Mandela. Most of their marriage occurred when Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island.

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Winnie Mandela was a force to be reckoned with in her own right.  She was known as “Mother of the Nation” or  simply “Mama.” While she could be polarizing, Mandela remained beloved by many.

A spokesman said Mandela, a trained social worker, had been ill for a while and died in Johannesburg surrounded by family and loved ones.

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Fireworks will be set off at dusk at Alpharetta’s Independence Day event at Wills Park. The photo shows a view of a previous year’s fireworks from the nearby Walk of Memories at American Legion Post 201. (Courtesy of Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau/Jack Tuszynski)

Credit: Jack Tuszynski/PhotoJack.net

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC