Johannesburg - Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who as Nelson Mandela's wife went from popular symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle to the depths of various legal and political scandals, is set to make a return to the political stage.

The 74-year old divorcee has been give a place high up on the list of successful African National Congress (ANC) candidates for the new parliament set to take its seats on May 6, the national election commission confirmed on Wednesday.

Under South Africa's proportional representation system, party lists of candidates are drawn up before this month's election, but are subject to final confirmation after all the votes have been counted.

In 2003 Madikizela-Mandela was found guilty on multiple charges of fraud and theft, and resigned all her official positions within the ANC.

The election was won by the ANC, with party president Jacob Zuma now set to become democratic South Africa's fourth president.

In total the ANC will have 264 seats in the 400 seat assembly. (dpa)