Zoleka, Nelson Mandela’s Granddaughter Dies At 43 After Long Battle With Cancer
Former South African first black President, Nelson Mandela has lost his granddaughter Zoleka Mandela who died at the age of 43 after a long battle with cancer, her family have announced today.
Having this battle for long against the disease, the author and granddaughter of South Africa’s anti-apartheid hero was admitted into hospital on Monday as part of her ongoing treatment, a family spokesman said.
“Zoleka passed away… surrounded by friends and family,’ said Zwelabo Mandela.”
She was the child of Mandela’s youngest daughter, Zindzi Mandela, and her first husband, Zwelibanzi Hlongwane. She had six children of her own, including her youngest whom she gave birth to in April 2022.
The family said recent scans revealed ‘significant’ progress in the cancer that affected her hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord.
Zoleka is the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela’s second wife and anti-apartheid activist, Winnie, she was born into the famous Mandela family on April 9, 1980, who are direct descendants of King Madiba of the Thembu people.
She spoke about being the victim of sexual abuse during her childhood, and also of her problems with addiction to drugs and alcohol.
In 2010, she suffered a personal tragedy when her 13-year-old daughter Zenani was killed in a car crash on her way home from a concert.
Sizwe Mankazana, the driver at the time of the one-car accident that resulted in young Zenani’s death, was eventually aquitted.
