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Mandela's Granddaughter Dies Aged 43

12:09, 26 September 2023

Samantha Arias

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Zoleka Mandela was a South African activist, writer and granddaughter of the late former President Nelson Mandela and one of his wives, Winnie Madikizela Mandela.

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Zoleka Mandela died on 25 September at the age of 43 from metastatic cancer, Zwelabo Mandela, the family spokesman, announced in a statement on social media.

"Zoleka passed away on the evening of Monday, 25 September, surrounded by friends and family. Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her," Zwelabo said.

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Last year, Zoleka announced that her cancer had returned and she had begun treatment for the affected areas, including her lungs, liver, ribs, spinal cord and hips.

"On Monday, 18 September Zoleka Mandela was admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment for metastatic cancer to the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord. Recent scans revealed significant disease progression including fibrosis in the lung as well as several emboli," the family spokesman said.

In 2011, Zoleka was treated for breast cancer, which returned in 2016. In her book 'When Hope Whishpers', published in 2013, she talked about her life, her fight against cancer, her crisis and family loss.

Zoleka was born on 9 April 1980 to Zindzi Mandela - the third of Nelson Mandela's three daughters - and Zwelibanzi Hlongwane. She had six children and on 11 June 2010, her 13-year-old daughter Zenani Mandela died in a car crash.

Zoleka's fearless fight against cancer inspired many, and social media has been inundated by South Africans expressing their grief over her death and sending their condolences.

"Zoleka Mandela fought so much. She instilled hope in most of us & taught us not to ever give up even if the end is near. What an inspiration she was. I will definitely remember her resilience and gratitude. May her soul rest in peace. Condolences to the friends and families," a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).