Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter dies after long battle with cancer
2 min read
Zoleka Mandela
Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of South Africa’s first democratically elected president and civil rights leader Nelson Mandela, has died at the age of 43 following a long battle with cancer.
Her death was confirmed in a statement made by the family spokesman Zwelabo Mandela as well as by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, on Tuesday.
“Zoleka Mandela died on Monday (Sep 25) evening surrounded by friends and family” after she was admitted to the hospital for her ongoing treatment for metastatic cancer to the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord,” the statement attributed to family spokesman Zwelabo on Instagram read.
It added, “Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her.”
Zoleka, in recent years, became well-known for sharing her fight against cancer with her nearly 600,000 followers on Instagram. She also spoke candidly about her history of drug addiction and struggles with depression.
A statement by the Nelson Mandela Foundation called her work inspirational.
“The Nelson Mandela Foundation extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family on the passing of Zoleka Mandela, tragically last night,” said the organisation, on Tuesday morning.
“Her work in raising awareness about cancer prevention and her unwavering commitment to breaking down the stigma surrounding the disease will continue to inspire us all,” it added.
“We mourn the loss of a beloved grandchild of Mum Winnie and Madiba and a friend of the Foundation.”
Born on 9 April, 1980, Zoleka Mandela was an outspoken writer and activist for healthcare and justice.
She also campaigned for road safety after losing her 13-year-old daughter in a car accident in 2010 near the South African capital Johannesburg.
A few years later she lost a son who was born prematurely.
In 2013, she documented her story in her autobiography When Hope Whispers.
Zoleka was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32 and reportedly underwent treatment including a double mastectomy, but the cancer returned in 2016.
It was around that time that she began documenting her journey with the disease on social media spreading awareness and encouraging others to get checked.
Last year, she confirmed that she had cancer in her liver and lungs and said that it had spread to other organs.
