Despite ultimately losing her battle with cancer, there is no doubt that Zoleka Mandela fought a good fight. The granddaughter of Nelson Mandela died this week after being diagnosed with bone metastasis, which spread to other organs.
But while she was courageous in the face of a terminal illness, it was not the first time Zoleka had to endure difficult life experiences.
ZOLEKA MANDELA DIES AFTER THIRD CANCER BATTLE
In a statement posted on her Instagram account, it was revealed that Zoleka Mandela had died after an aggressive battle with cancer. The mother-of-six was 43 years old.
In August 2022, the outspoken activist and author revealed that doctors had discovered cancer in her body – for the third time.
In 2011 and 2016, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Since the terminal diagnosis, Zoleka Mandela documented her battle with cancer, which cancer spread to her liver, lungs, pelvis, spinal cord, and even her brain.
On Monday, 24 September 2023, the brave woman died while surrounded by friends and family.
“Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her”, read the statement.
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A post shared by Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela (@zolekamandela)
TRAGEDIES THROUGH THE YEARS
It’s no secret Zoleka Mandela was dealt a cruel hand of cards in her lifetime. Here are a few fo the tragedies she had to overcome
Battling cancer – thrice
Zoleka Mandela has had her fair share of hardship along the way. The 42-year-old has battled – and survived – breast cancer twice: In 2011 and 2016. In 2022, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer.
Losing her biggest supporters: her mother and grandmother
Zoleka’s mother Zindzi died in 2020 after a battle with Covid-19. Two years earlier, her grandmother Winnie Mandela died of complications to diabetes.
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A post shared by Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela (@zolekamandela)
Being abused as a young girl
In her autobiography When Hope Whispers, Zoleka revealed that she had been molested as a young child.
She revealed how it spiralled into her drug and alcohol addiction.
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A post shared by Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela (@zolekamandela)
Suicide attempts
In addition to substance abuse – and being in and out of rehab – Zoleka Mandela also struggled with self-harming, suicide attempts and severe depression.
Death of children
But there’s another tragedy that seemed too much for anyone to have to endure – the death of Zoleka’s two children.
In 2020, her daughter Zenani died following a fatal car crash. A year later, her newborn son Zenawe died due to complications associated with his premature birth.
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A post shared by Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela (@zolekamandela)
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Tags:bone metastasisbreast cancerFeaturedImportantNelson MandelaZoleka Mandela
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