South Africa's Winnie Mandela dies aged 81

Winnie Mandela was an anti-apartheid campaigner

South African anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Mandela has died at the age of 81, according to her personal assistant.

She was married to the late Nelson Mandela when he was imprisoned on Robben Island.

She played a key part in the campaign to end white-minority rule but her place in history was also stained by controversy.

In a statement, a family spokesman said that she died peacefully after a "long illness for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year.

"She succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones."