The granddaughter of South African anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, Zoleka Mandela, has died of cancer at the age of 43, her family announced on Tuesday.
The writer, who is known to have revealed in detail her long battle with the disease, was admitted to hospital on Monday to undergo usual treatments, a family spokesperson said.
“Zoleka died… surrounded by friends and family,” Zwelabo Mandela said.
Zoleka was the daughter of Mandela’s youngest daughter, Zindzi Mandela, and her first husband, Zwelibanzi Hlongwane.
The family revealed that recent scans showed ‘significant’ progress in the cancer which affected his hip, liver, lungs, pelvis, brain and spinal cord.
“We mourn the loss of a beloved grandson of Winnie and Madiba,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation wrote on social media, using the name the Nobel Peace Prize winner was affectionately known by.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation extends its sincere condolences to the Mandela family on the death of #ZolekaMandelatragically last night.
We mourn the loss of a beloved grandchild of mother Winnie and Madiba and a friend of the foundation.
Then her inspiring memoir When… pic.twitter.com/irmXI1qZwQ
-NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) September 26, 2023
“His work in raising awareness of cancer prevention and his unwavering commitment to ending the stigma surrounding the disease will continue to inspire us all,” the organization added.
Source: DN
