Zoleka Mandela Passes Away at 43 After Battle with Cancer, Tributes Pour In: “Those Poor Babies”

• Celebrated author Zoleka Mandela has lost her battle with an aggressive cancer
• A statement issued by a family spokesperson, Zwelabo Mandela, confirmed that she passed away on the evening of 25 September
• Tributes are pouring in for the mother of four, who had a remarkably close relationship with her grandmother, the iconic Winnie Mandela
• The Nelson Mandela Foundation offered their condolences in a statement

Former president and first lady of South Africa, Nelson and Winnie Mandela's granddaughter, Zoleka Mandela, lost her long battle with cancer on Monday, 25 September 2023, surrounded by family and friends.

Zoleka Mandela dies at 43 after long battle with cancer

A statement released by her family was posted on her Instagram account, which details the cause of her death.

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Written by a family representative, Zwelabo Mandela, it says she was admitted to the hospital on 18 September for ongoing treatment for metastatic cancer to the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord.

The statement further reads:

"Recent scans revealed significant disease progression including fibrosis in the lungs as well as several emboli."

Full statement in the post below:

Nelson Mandela Foundation sends condolences

In a media statement obtained by Briefly News, the Nelson Mandela Foundation referred to Zoleka as a friend of the foundation, reminiscing of the fondest memory of the late author:

"When her inspiring memoir 'When Hope Whispers' was published, she graciously signed copies for all our staff and ran a leadership session for the staff around the book."

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South Africa mourns the death of Zoleka Mandela

The news of her death shocked South Africans despite the knowledge of her battling with the illness for many years. She recently celebrated 13 years of sobriety as she checked in for her final hospital visit. Here are some of the tributes that poured in:

@___QueenBigB was saddened:

"Oh my God, those poor babies. Rest in peace Zoe."

@Maru_Mutavha was grateful:

"She literally fought a good one not forgetting how she welcomed us all in her personal space. May her beautiful soul rest peacefully."

@Khanya_Bongeka commented:

"Zoleka suffered hey, and she put up a good fight. May her soul rest in peace and may her loved ones be comforted."

@Imaani_za_ was touched:

"Aaaaw her poor babies, she fought till the end shame."

@21Sthandwa said:

"She went through a lot akaphumule."

@Boobah_12 sent condolences:

"She fought hard. Very sad for the babies. May she rest in peace."

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@Dineololla wished:

"May her beautiful tenacious, courageous, gentle spirit rest in power."

@MalvinSiziba was proud:

"She did not lose her battle, she won. Rest in power fighter."

Zoleka Mandela reflects on motherhood amid battle with cancer

In another Briefly News report, the When Hope Whispers author took to her social media to reflect on her undying love for her four kids as she struggled with the illness.

She quoted an American author on a snap pictured with her baby daughter Zingce Zobuhle Mandela about how her children had her heart, regardless of her strenuous health complications

Source: Briefly News