Zoleka was known as someone who worked very hard for important causes, especially in healthcare and fairness.
Zoleka Mandela, the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who fought against apartheid, passed away on September 25th at the age of 43.
A family spokesperson, Zwelabo Mandela, shared on social media that Zoleka had been in the hospital since September 18th for treatment of spreading cancer in various parts of her body like the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain, and spinal cord.
The statement said that recent tests showed the disease had gotten worse, with fibrosis in the lungs and some blockages. Zoleka passed away on the evening of September 25th, with friends and family around her. They thanked the medical team for their care.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said that Zoleka worked very hard for healthcare and fairness. They praised her for spreading information about how to prevent cancer and for always trying to remove the shame associated with the disease. They are thinking of her family and friends during this tough time. They said goodbye to Zoleka and mentioned she would be remembered.
Zoleka found out she had breast cancer at 32. It got better for a while, but then it came back last year. Zoleka openly shared her experiences with treatment on Instagram.
She didn’t just talk about cancer; she also talked about feeling very sad and struggling with depression. Zoleka wanted roads to be safer after her daughter, Zenani, died in a car crash in 2010, when she was only 13.
Zoleka bravely shared that she went through a tough time as a child, experiencing sexual abuse and struggling with addiction. She wrote about her life story in her book, “When Hope Whispers.”
When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 after being there for 27 years, Zoleka was just 10 years old. Mandela, a famous political leader, passed away in 2013. Zoleka’s grandmother, Winnie, who was Mandela’s second wife, also passed away in 2018.
Zoleka is survived by her four children.
SOURCE:PARADE