Hollywood actress Jennifer Hudson is to play Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie, in a film about her life, reports say.

Variety magazine reported Hudson was thrilled about the role and has described Ms Madikizela-Mandela as a "powerful and extraordinary woman".

Ms Madikizela-Mandela played a vital role in freeing her husband after 27 years in jail but has since been linked to a murder and convicted of fraud.