The 43-year-old lost her battle to cancer on Monday evening. She was surrounded by family and friends.

Zoleka is the granddaughter of struggle stalwarts Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

She will be laid to rest on Friday at the Bryanston Methodist Church.

 

 

 

Mandla Mandela and Zoleka ex-husband, Thierry Bashala during the memorial service.
Mandla Mandela and Zoleka ex-husband, Thierry Bashala during the memorial service.
Image: Antonio Muchave
Lindiwe Sisulu at the memorial service.
Lindiwe Sisulu at the memorial service.
Image: Antonio Muchave
Rasta paints a potrait of Zoleka Mandela.”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 okay when it’s not? I’m dying… I don’t want to die,” Mandela said, sharing the news of her diagnosis.

Though she did not want to die, Mandela, in April, interview, said she had planned for the eventuality of her death.

“I think that’s empowering me too because, again, I’ve been put in a place where I’m actually able to have a say in the things that I want to happen, especially with all my children,” she said.

On Friday, Mandela’s family will bid her farewell in a private service at the Bryanston Methodist Church.