Former President Dr. Joyce Banda has today paid her last respect to late Winnie Mandela who died on April 2, 2018 after a long illness.

Banda confirmed of the development in a statement posted on her official facebook page seen by faceofmalawi reporter.

In his speech Banda described Madikzela Mandela as a fearless woman.

“I came to be with you today to pay my last respects to this distinguished daughter of Africa, the mother of South Africa and my hero. When I came in 2013 to give the eulogy at the funeral go late President Nelson Mandela in December 2013, I commended Madam Winnie Mandela for the role she played over many years to keep the name of Tata alive throughout the time he was at Robben Island.

“Today I look back at the like of a servant leader who gave so much to South Africa and the world particularly for the disadvantages and voiceless people of her country. She was fearless, uncompromising in her pursuit for justice and freedom for South Africa against the apartheid government,” said Banda.

She added: “I told the family how I have personally been inspired and touched by her story in the past two years as we spent precious moments over lunch or dinner. Sometimes we laughed but most often I cried, unable to understand how anybody could have inflicted so much pain on a person just to try to break her.

“I will forever be grateful to God for the precious gift of those moments.”

Meanwhile Winnie Mandela will be laid to rest this coming Saturday.