Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of South Africa’s first democratically elected president Nelson Mandela, has died of cancer at the age of 43.
Her mother Winnie Mandela died years ago after battling metastatic cancer. This means the cancerous cells spread to various body parts.
In a statement on Instagram, a spokesperson for the family said that Zoleka passed away on Monday in the presence of friends and family
She had become well known for detailing her cancer treatment and also being open about her history of drug addiction and depression, as well as the fact that she had been sexually violated as a child.
She documented her story in an autobiography When Hope Whispers. Ten years ago, Zoleka was diagnosed with breast cancer, she received treatment and was in remission but it later returned.
Last year, she confirmed that she had cancer in her liver and lungs, it then spread to other organs. She was receiving treatment and was admitted to the hospital on September 18.
“I had a CT scan administered a few weeks back, which have shown that I have blood clots as well as Fibrosis in my lung. This explains the chest pains I had been feeling. My medical oncologist has recommended blood thinners and oral chemo. On the upside, I’m incredibly grateful that I am still treatable,” she wrote on Instagram on September 17.
Zoleka’s death is on the eve of Winnie’s birthday. At the same time, City of Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda will unveil the new name of William Nicol Drive on Monday. The name was changed in honour of the late struggle icon – Winnie. The ceremony coincides with what would’ve been her 87th birthday September 26.
