The death of Ilitha Labantu founder and president Mandisa Monakali has been described as a big blow in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa. Monakali passed ...

When Mandisa Monakali established Ilitha Labantu at the height of apartheid, she could not have anticipated the life-changing impact it would have in aiding victims of gender-based violence.

This is the sentiment expressed by those who attended the funeral of Western Cape Human Rights activist, Mandisa Monakali. The founder of Ilitha Labantu died of cancer at the age of 64.

Mandisa's cause of death has been revealed. The Grammy winner and American Idol alum died of complications of class III obesity at age 47, according to an autopsy reported obtained by PEOPLE. The ...