The Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) would like to share its sincere condolences with the people of South Africa over the passing of the ‘Mother of the Nation’, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Mama Winnie fought most of her life for equality, respect and dignity, values that we hold as COSAFA, and her wise council will be missed by all of those who knew her.

An icon of the struggle against Apartheid, Madikizela-Mandela had to endure untold hardships and overcame these with grace and fortitude, going on to become an important role-model to many in a democratic in South Africa.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the Family, all the people of South Africa and especially to our Colleagues at the South African Football Association, who had very close ties to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela due to her on-going support for sport as a catalyst for social change, and her hard work in helping bring the 2010 FIFA World Cup to South Africa,” says COSAFA President Dr Phillip Chiyangwa.