South African anti-apartheid struggle hero Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, Zoleka Mandela, has died of aged 43, her family said on Tuesday.
According to a statement released by the family, Zoleka died after being admitted to hospital on 18 September for ongoing treatment for cancer of the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord.
Zoleka Mandela Biography
Zoleka Mandela was a South African writer, activist, and Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter. She wrote about her addictions, her daughter’s death, and her own battles with breast cancer.
Zoleka was born on 9 April 1980, and was the daughter of Zindzi Mandela and her first husband Zwelibanzi Hlongwane.
Her mother’s family, the Mandelas, are direct descendants of King Madiba of the Thembu people and serve as chieftains of Mvezo, their ancestral chiefdom.
Zoleka spoke about s3xual abuse in her childhood. She was also addicted to drugs and alcohol for a time.
In 2010, Zoleka’s 13-year-old daughter, Zenani, was killed in a car crash on the way home from a concert.
The accident was said to be due to drugs and, at the time, Zoleka Mandela was recovering from a suicide attempt. Mandela published her autobiography in 2013.
Mandela campaigned against deaths caused by road accidents noting the particular hazards affecting sub Saharan African children who are twice as likely to be killed in car accidents as children anywhere else in the world.
Zoleka Mandela Husband
Zoleka Mandela who was born on 9th April 1980 was once married and hence had a husband. She got married to Thierry Bashala in 2014.
The couple met in a clothing store. Zoleka after getting married to Thierry divorced him after 6 years of marriage.
Zoleka Mandela Children
She had six children, although two of them died. Her eldest daughter, Zenani, was born in 1997. Zwelami Mandela, her eldest son, was born on 21st November 2002. Zanyiwe Zenziwe Bashala is the second oldest daughter and was born in 2014.
Zenzile Motuba Bashala, the third daughter, was born in 2019 despite her mother’s oncologist warning her against siring kids due to her cancer. Zingce Zobuhle Mandela, the youngest, was born in 2022.
Zoleka Mandela Parents
Zokela was the daughter of Zindziswa Mandela and Zwelibanzi Hlongwane. She was born on 9th April 1980.
On the day her parents got married, her grandfather, Nelson Mandela, walked her mother down the aisle.
The family of Zokele are direct descendants of King Madiba of the Thembu people. The marriage between her parents unfortunately did not last.
Her mother, Zindziswa Mandela divorced her husband, Zwelibanzi.
Zoleka Mandela Siblings
Zokela Mandela has three siblings. She has three brothers namely; Zondwa Mandela, Bambatha Mandela and Zwelabo Mandela.
Her young brother Zondwa Mandela is the Chairman of the Mandela Legacy Foundation. Aside from that, there is little information about her brothers. They seem to have kept their private life from the public eye.
Zoleka Mandela Net Worth
There have been many searches online concerning the net worth of Mandela, the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela. However, there is little information concerning her net worth.
Some online platforms have indicated that she had an estimated net worth of $1 million, but we don’t know how concrete or substantial that information is.
Zoleka Mandela Cause of Death
Zoleka Mandela died from cancer on 25 September 2023, at the age of 43, her family said on Tuesday.
The family said recent scans revealed “significant” progress in the cancer that affected her hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord.
“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.”
FAQ About Zoleka Mandela
Who was Zoleka Mandela?
Zoleka Mandela was a South African writer, activist, and Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter.
She wrote about her addictions, her daughter’s death, and her own battles with breast cancer.
How old was Zoleka Mandela?
She was born on 9th April 1980 in South Africa and died on 25th September 2023. Zoleka Mandela’s age was 43 years.
Who are Zoleka Mandela’s parents?
She was the eldest of Zindziswa Mandela’s four children, born to Zindziswa’s first marriage to Zwelibanzi Hlongwane. After Zoleka’s parents’ separation, Zenani, her aunt, raised her.
Was Zokela Mandela married?
Zoleka who was born on 9th April 1980 was once married and hence had a husband.
Who is Zoleka Mandela to Nelson Mandela?
Her mother, Zindziswa Mandela, was Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela’s youngest daughter. Therefore, she was his granddaughter.
Who are Zoleka Mandela’s siblings?
Zokela has three siblings, Zondwa Mandela, Bambatha Mandela and Zwelabo Mandela.
Who is Zoleka Mandela’s husband
Zoleka met her husband, Thierry Bashala, in 2012 and dated for two years before tying the knot in 2014.
Unfortunately, they finalised their divorce in 2020. After the end of her marriage, Zobuhle never publicly introduced anyone as her significant other.
When is Zokela Mandela Funeral?
At the time of this report, details about Zokela Mandela funeral service were not known.
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