South African anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has died at the age of 81.

Her personal assistant Zodwa Swane confirmed her death today and said a statement would be released later.

She was Nelson Mandela’s wife while he was imprisoned on Robben Island, a marriage that lasted for 38 years.

They divorced two years into his presidency but she continued to visit her former husband daily.