Author, activist, and the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, Zoleka Mandela died on Monday, September 25 at night after a long battle with cancer.
According to a statement by the family on September 26, she was admitted in hospital on Monday, September 18th.
“Zoleka Mandela was admitted into hospital for ongoing treatment for metastatic cancer to the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord,” the statement read.
However, recent scans revealed significant disease progression including fibrosis in the lungs as well as several emboli.
Zoleka passed away surrounded by friends and family.
Additionally, Zwelabo Mandela, the family spokesperson thanked the medical team that took care of her.
“Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her,” they wrote.
“We mourn the loss of a beloved grandchild of Mum Winnie and Madiba and a friend of the foundation.
When her inspiring memoir When Hope Whispers was published, she graciously signed copies for all our staff and ran a leadership session for the staff around the book,” The Nelson Mandela Foundation eulogized Zoleka.
It added, “Zoleka was a tireless activist for healthcare and justice. 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.”
Zoleka Mandela
Zoleka was born on July 9, 1980, in South Africa in a family with significant legacy in the struggle against apartheid and for human rights in South Africa.
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Her parents were Zindzi Mandela and Zwelakhe Mandela. Her mother Zindzi Mandela was the daughter of Nelson and Winnie Mandela. Her Father was a prominent south African journalist and an apartheid activist.
However, her parents separated when she was young and was raised by her aunt.
Further, she had a familial relationship with her grandfather, Nelson Mandela, who was a global icon in the fight against apartheid and later served as the President of South Africa.
She got married in 2014 to Thierry Bashala and they had four children, two boys and two girls. However, two of her children, a boy, and a girl, died at an early age.
Her Foundation
The death of her children, her addiction life and cancer life motivated her to establish a foundation in 2013. The foundation was to uplift other people socially and educate about social responsibilities, road safety, and breast cancer.
Moreover, she has been an advocate for various social and health issues, particularly focusing on issues such as cancer awareness and road safety.
Further as an author she wrote a memoir titled “When Hope Whispers,” where she shares her individual experiences, including her battles with cancer and her family’s legacy.
The author had documented her 10-year breast cancer journey in an autobiography, When Hope Whispers, and was known as a cancer survivor.
Cancer Journey
Further, she took to Instagram announcing the doctors’ reports after her oncologist performed a CAT scan.
“The CAT scan has revealed cancer both in my liver and lungs. I am yet to receive feedback regarding my bone scan, to establish whether I have cancer beyond my ribs. I am hanging on by a thread. Thanking you all for your outpouring of love, prayer and support. Peace. Passion. Positivity,” she wrote at the time.
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Subsequently, Zoleka soared up trend charts in early August after learning that her battle with the disease was far from done.
“From what she’s told me, cancer in the bones cannot be eradicated, nor can it be cured. I have bone metastasis,” she wrote.
“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.”
