Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, erstwhile wife of the legendary freedom fighter and former South African  President, Nelson Mandela, has been hospitalized for a kidney infection.

 

A statement released on Tuesday by the family said the 81-year-old Winnie was rushed to the Milpark Hospital on Sunday after she complained about leg pains and loss of appetite.

“The Mandela family wishes to uniform the public that Winnie Madikizela was admitted to Milpark Hospital on Sunday,” the statement said.

The statement added that the anti-apartheid campaigner was in good spirits and would be in the hospital for at least a week.

Leaders of the Africa National Congress (ANC) led by its President, Cyril Ramaphosa have already paid a solidarity visit to her at the hospital.

Madikizela – Mandela who got married to Nelson Mandela in 1956 and got divorced in 1996, was hospitalized in October last year for a knee surgery which she had fully recovered from.