A condolence letter sent from *Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to South African Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa (and released to the public on Thurs.) dated April 3, 2018, reads in part:

“It is with profound sense of sympathy that I write, on behalf of my family and on my own behalf, to commiserate with you and the entire good people of South Africa over the painful transition of Mrs. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

“She was a front-line women leader, an activist, an indomitable fighter for the liberation of South Africa from apartheid and oppressive racialism, a stateswoman per excellence, a tireless advocate of the preservation of the mystique of Africa’s moral and cultural values, who had selflessly dedicated herself to public service for most of her life.

“Winnie was, without doubt, one of the greatest women to have walked the African earth. ​”The death of a leader of Mrs. Winnie Mandela’s stature is a big loss, not only to her immediate family and country but to the whole of Africa.

“History will record her vital contributions to the realisation of the dream of regional unity in Southern Africa, which would not have been possible without South Africa being free.

“By so doing, she has left a legacy of development and vision of unity which made the world a better place than she met it. – […] – Punch Newspapers online

Source: “Winnie Mandela’s death, a loss to Africa –Obasanjo”
Punch Newspapers – The most widely read newspaper in Nigeria

*Chief Olusegun Obasanjo -former President of Nigeria, from 1999 to 2007

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela leaves behind a *mixed” history (good and bad) to be sure.

However, I think DJ’s opening paragraph sums up, beautifully, the most essential part of her legacy in South African history, overall.

May She Rest. In. Peace.