The widow of Oliver Tambo - the former president of the South African anti-apartheid African National Congress (ANC) - has died aged 77.

Adelaide Tambo - known affectionately as Mama Tambo - lived in exile with her husband in Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, from 1960 until 1990, during which time she worked at the Whittington Hospital, as a district nurse, and for Haringey social services as a care worker with young children.

The Tambo home entertained special guests such as Nelson Mandela, following his release from prison, as the couple continued their work for the ANC.

In 1990, the Tambos were Haringay's first recipients of the Freedom of the Borough, in recognition of their contribution to the struggle for freedom in their homeland.

In her acceptance speech at the time, Mrs Tambo said: "The support of Haringey Anti-Apartheid Group, the support of successive mayors, councillors and senior officials of the borough, and, not least, the support of the masses of the people of Haringey, has been immeasurable."

Councillor George Meehan, leader of Haringey Council, said: "Haringey is immensely proud to have been a home to Adelaide and Oliver Tambo and their family through many years of exile and struggle for justice in South Africa.

"Adelaide was truly an inspiration, and I'm sure that residents will want to join with the council in offering our condolences to her family."

Councillor Harry Lister, who proposed that Mr and Mrs Tambo be given the freedom of the borough in 1990, said: "As someone so privileged to have met Adelaide, her strength, her enthusiasm, her warmth and her humanity had an immediate and indelible effect.

"Not only were she and Oliver the first to be given the freedom of our borough, they are and will remain the most illustrious and deserving people to have received or are ever likely to receive this particular honour. As someone said then, it was they who were honouring us by their long association with Haringey, not us honouring them."

Her death, on January 31, has sparked widespread mourning in South Africa, where she was held in high regard due to her role as leader of the ANC women's movement and as a member of the South African parliament from 1994 to 1999.

A statement by the ANC said: "Throughout the most difficult times of the struggle for democracy, Adelaide Tambo's strength, compassion and determination served as inspiration to generations of freedom fighters."

u Haringey Council is planning to erect a statue of Oliver Tambo in Albert Road Recreation Ground, Albert Road, Muswell Hill.