South African activist and granddaughter of former president, Nelson Mandela, Zoleka Mandela has passed away after a long battle with metastatic cancer.
According to a statement released by a family spokesperson, Zoleka, 43, died last Monday surrounded by loved ones and friends.
She was admitted to the hospital for treatment but succumbed to the disease on the eve of her grandmother’s birthday.
The statement read; “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.
Recent scans revealed significant disease progression Including fibrosis in the lungs as well as several emboli.
Zoleka passed away on the evening of Monday, September 25th. surrounded by friends and family. Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her. Enquires may be sent to hopeforzoleka@gmail.com Issued by Zwelabo Mandela (family spokesperson).”
More than a decade ago, she faced a breast cancer diagnosis, underwent treatment, and achieved remission. Unfortunately, the cancer returned, affecting her liver and lungs last year before spreading to other organs. Zoleka penned her remarkable story in an autobiography titled “When Hope Whispers.”
