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-Like every love story, you fall in love, spend time together, you face life struggles with your partner, you survive those struggles together and at times couples fail to survive those struggles. 





True love stands the test of times and yes Nelson and Winnie might have separated but their love truly stood the test of times. She stood by him through out, when he was fighting for the freedom of South Africans. Every protest, every victory march and even when he was in prison, Winnie was always with Nelson Mandela. South Africa was left in mourning on Monday, April 2, after the death of Winnie. She died at the age of 81. Her ex-husband and a former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, passed away on December 5, 2013... 

Nelson and Winnie Mandela June, 1958 Photo source: The Guardian  

 Nelson and Winnie were the most influential people in South Africa's history. The two were the leaders of the group that fought for the freedom of all South Africans during the Apartheid era (segregation of black South Africans from white South Africans).  

The pair met in 1957, while he was still married to his first wife Evelyn Mase. Nelson reportedly spotted the 22-year-old on a raining at a bus stop in Soweto, where he wooed her into going on a date with him.  

Nelson and Winnie Mandela 1958 Photo source: xhosaculture.co.za  

In 1958, Winnie and Nelson got hitched a year after they met. The couple also had their first child that same year. By 1960, the couple was blessed with two beautiful daughters and everything was blooming for them until tragedy struck.

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Nelson who is populary known in South Africa by his native name Madiba was arrested in 1962, due is fight against Apartheid. She had to watch as her husband was sentenced to jail. Like every strong woman, Winnie took up the fight for her husband, while her husband was in prison she fought in his place and took on the leadership role.  

Nelson and Winnie Mandela on wedding day Photo source: ENCA.com  

Throughout the 27-year-prison sentence on Robin Island, she stood by him, they communicated by exchanging love letters. They were finally reunited when he was released in 1990. However, in 1992, the love crumbled as the former president announced his split from Winnie, whom he called "the mother of the nation". Apparently, the couple who barely lived together before the jail sentence could not continue their romance.  

Nelson and Winnie Mandela in 1990 Photo source: The Guardian  

During their divorce proceedings, it became evident that Nelson was miserable in the marriage. Nelson who revealed that Winnie had been unfaithful to him said he felt nothing but loneliness during his marriage to Winnie. He took the stand at the divorce proceedings, which lasted a week and said: “If the entire universe persuaded me to reconcile with the defendant I would not ...

 I am determined to get rid of the marriage." 

read more; 9 Ways to Bounce Back From Failure

The couple reunited in 1990 Photo source: Quartz Africa  

The divorce was finalised in 1996, breaking many hearts in South Africa. The people had looked unto the influential couple as the perfect pair. 

No love story is perfect Photo source: TheTrentonline  

Although they were no longer married, the couple kept in touch, even after Nelson tied the knot to his third wife Graca Machel, Winnie even visited her ex-husband during the last years of his life while his health was deteriorating. The couple never reunited romantically, but until this day South Africans remember the power of their love. The love that was able to defeat the Apartheid era, nothing is perfect especially a love that had to face internal and external struggles.  

READ MORE: Late Winnie Mandela’s granddaughter shares last conversation with her granny on Instagram

 by pricelezz