Ramaphosa was speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony for the late icon to mark three years after her death following an illness in Johannesburg.

Describing her as the “Mother of the Nation”, Ramaphosa said Madikizela-Mandela’s deeds “fired up the commitment and determination of many of our people to fight against the evil system of apartheid.”

“She did so at a critical time - during the course of our struggle when our leaders were either incarcerated or when they were in exile,” Ramaphosa said.

He added: “She fired up the movement inside the country and gave strength and courage to many of us because she was fearless, determined and a quintessential activist.”

Madikizela-Mandela died on 2 April 2018 at a hospital in Johannesburg after a long illness.

She was laid to rest two weeks later at the Fourways Memorial Park in Randburg, Johannesburg.

NM/jn/APA