The Mandela family has released a statement thanking those who showed them love and support following author Zoleka Mandela’s passing.

 

The writer and activist lost her battle to cancer on Monday, 25 September. She was laid to rest on 29 September.In a statement on Friday, 06 October, the family and The Zoleka Mandela Foundation said they have commenced with the mourning protocols.

“The Mandela Family together with The Zoleka Mandela Foundation wish to extend their profound gratitude for the support shown during our time of loss,” read an official statement.

“We are thankful for every gesture, token of kindness and respect expressed. The family has commenced with their mourning protocols, and will appropriately advise on continuing the work on behalf of Zoleka Mandela.”Following funeral, various sources claimed that there was drama as the When Hope Whispers writer’s body had to be exhumed from where she was meant to be buried at the Mandela Estate at Fourways Memorial Park in Johannesburg.

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Sunday World reported that Zoleka’s aunt, Zenani, obtained a court order instructing the family to bury the deceased at a grave plot purchased by her ex-husband, Thierry Bashala.

Bhasha, who shares two children with Zoleka, was one of the people Zoleka had not wanted to attend her funeral. Zenani also made it on the list. Family member, Ndileka Mandela confirmed the authenticity of the list to The Citizen.Speaking to The Sunday Times, Bhashala denied he had purchased the cemetery plot where Zoleka was buried.

“It’s far from the truth. I was far from the drama in terms of bringing a court interdict and in terms of siding with the auntie.

“Yes, I was at the funeral, but I was there talking to the auntie and telling her that she should not do that and allow Zoleka to be buried [next to] her family. [This] completely failed, and then Fourways Memorial had allocated another burial site for the family because it was just … we were not getting through to her,” he said.

“I was there in the morning trying to talk to the aunt … I was there for two hours [trying] to talk sense to the aunt and say it’s not on