Zindzi Mandela: 5 Facts about the late SA Ambassador to Denmark
On Monday, South Africans woke up to the devastating news of Zindziswa 'Zindzi' Mandela's death. The country immediately mourned the anti-apartheid activist and Briefly.co.za decided to honour her.
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At the age of 59, Zindzi Mandela took her last breath. She reportedly passed away in the early morning hours on Monday and her sudden death sent shockwaves through Mzansi.
Zindzi was known for her fight against the injustices in South Africa and her death has left a void in the hearts of many. Briefly.co.za decided to honour the late anti-apartheid activist by taking a quick look at her life and career.
1. Iconic parents
Zindzi Mandela is without a doubt a struggle icon in her own right. However, she is known to be the daughter of two of the most influential and iconic people in South Africa's history.
Zindzi was the youngest daughter of former late President Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
She was born in Soweto the same year the ANC launched its armed wing and both her parents were wanted by the government.
Zindzi was only 18 months old when Madiba was sentences to life behind bars.
Source: Getty Images
READ ALSO: Zindzi Mandela passes away aged 59: Nelson Mandela Foundation
2. A published poet
Zindzi used her words as a weapon against oppression. In 1978 when she was just 17 years old, Zindzi's poems were published in the book Black as I Am.
3. She died on the same day as her half-brother
Exactly 51 years ago today, 13 July, 1969, Thembekile "Thembi" Mandela died in a car accident. Thembi was the son of late former President Nelson Mandela and his wife, Evelyn Mase.
On the exact same date just over five decades apart, another one of Mandela's children passed away. Thembekile died on the exact same date as his half-sister, Zindzi Mandela.
Source: Facebook
4. Personal life
Zindzi was married twice in her life - her first husband was Zwelibanzi Hlongwane and her second spouse was a member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) called Molapo Motlhajwa.
Zindzi and Motlhajwa tied the knot in 2013, according to Wikipedia. Aside from being a prominent struggle icon, Zindzi was also a devoted mother.
She had four children: Zoleka, Zondwa, Bambatha and Zwelabo. Her oldest, Zoleka, was born in 1980, followed by Zondwa in 1985.
Bambatha was born in 1989 and Zindzi's youngest, Zwelabo, was born in 1992.
Source: Getty Images
5. Controversy and support of the EFF
Although her father was at one stage the leader of the ANC, Zindzi expressed her unwavering support for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and its leader, Julius Malema, in 2019.
Zindzi was accused of racism and received a lot of backlash for strong-worded tweets about white people.
She called white people "rapist descendants of Van Riebeeck" and "unwelcome visitors" who do not want to leave.
Her tweets led to an investigation by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for breaching its social media policy.
However, Zindzi did not waver in her views and she wrote:
"I am not accountable to any white man or woman for my personal views. No missus or baas here. Get over yourselves #OurLand."
Briefly.co.za earlier reported International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor said she is shocked by the passing of Zindzi Mandela.
The 59-year old was scheduled to travel back to Denmark but was unfortunately restricted by the Covid-19 lockdown travel ban.
Zindzi Mandela, the youngest daughter of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Nelson Mandela, died in a Johannesburg hospital in the early hours of Monday morning.
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Source: Briefly News
