How did Zoleka Mandela die? Nelson Mandela's grandaughter was an inspiration to many before her death at 43
CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Zoleka Mandela, the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, has died at the age of 43 after a courageous battle with cancer, her family confirmed on Tuesday, September 26.
She had been undergoing treatment and was admitted to the hospital on Monday, September 22, according to Daily Mail.
Zoleka, an accomplished author and a descendant of South Africa's anti-apartheid hero, was the daughter of Zindzi Mandela, Nelson Mandela's youngest daughter, and her first husband, Zwelibanzi Hlongwane. She was a mother of six, with her youngest child born in April 2022.
Zoleka Mandela's inspiring cancer battle amid heartfelt condolences
Despite her health challenges, recent scans had shown significant progress in her battle against cancer, which had affected various parts of her body, including her hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain, and spinal cord.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation expressed its condolences, highlighting Zoleka's tireless work in raising awareness about cancer prevention and her dedication to breaking the stigma associated with the disease.
"We mourn the loss of a beloved grandchild of Mum Winnie and Madiba," the Nelson Mandela Foundation wrote on social media, using the name by which the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was fondly known.
"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," the message added.
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Zoleka Mandela's inspiring life journey
Zoleka, born on April 9, 1980, into the renowned Mandela family, shared her personal struggles, including surviving childhood sexual abuse and her battles with addiction to drugs and alcohol.
In 2010, she faced a devastating tragedy when her 13-year-old daughter, Zenani, was killed in a car accident following a concert.
Her advocacy for road safety, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where children are at a higher risk of car crash fatalities, gained prominence after her daughter's tragic death.
"What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that this time around I may not get to live my life as a survivor? How do I tell them everything will be OK when it's not? I'm dying... I don't want to die," she wrote on her Instagram in August.
"I'm learning to be okay with my eventuality," she told Kaya FM in April.
Zoleka courageously documented her experiences with breast cancer in 2011 and its recurrence in 2016 on social media, which contributed to her fame. Her 2013 biography, 'When Hope Whispers', focused on her cancer journey, earning praise for its candid approach.
In 2022, she revealed that her cancer had spread to her lungs, liver, and spine, sharing her emotional journey on Instagram. She was named among BBC's "100 Women" in 2016 and served as the UN's global ambassador for communicable diseases.
Zoleka's death coincided with the official renaming of a Johannesburg road to Winnie Mandela Drive, in honor of her mother, on the same day.
