Zoleka Mandela Opens Up About Past Traumatic Experiences With Depression

• Zoleka Mandela, Nelson Mandela's granddaughter, has used her huge platform to raise awareness about mental illness
• She recently opened up about her depression battle while promoting Nestlé Cremora's #EveryoneIncluded campaign
• Over the years, Zoleka did not fully explain what caused her depression, and she has now mentioned abuse as one of the causes

Author and activist Zoleka Mandela has come out to say she wants to raise awareness about mental illness.

With one in six South Africans suffering from anxiety, depression or substance abuse disorders, according to TshisaLIVE, Zoleka wishes Mzansi people would not be afraid to speak out about their struggles.

“Mental health is a very serious illness and it’s not something you should be ashamed of. It’s not your fault, and things can get better with the right treatment.”

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Zoleka shared the following on Instagram:

The activist says she used to blame herself for all of the physical and domestic abuse she endured. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, she told TshisaLIVE that the inability to breastfeed her children was her breaking point.

The author says there are still topics Mzansi people shy away from but opening up and therapy can help overcome depression.

“These are subjects that are still shrouded with so much discrimination and stigma. From my experience, there is nothing worse than feeling like you don’t have a voice, that no-one understands you."

Zoleka Mandela celebrates 12 years of sobriety, had her 1st drink at age 9, Mzansi reacts: “Love your honesty”

Briefly News previously reported that Nelson Mandela's granddaughter Zoleka Mandela took to social media to celebrate 12 years of sobriety. The author opened up about her long drug and alcohol abuse.

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She posted a throwback snap of herself smoking a cigar. She told thousands of her followers that the pic was taken ten years back. The media personality expressed that she took her first cigarette at the tender age of 13 and her last one in 2012.

Taking to Instagram, Zoleka shared that she had her first drink at the age of nine and her last one at the age of 30.

Source: Briefly News