/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

This morning, South Africa woke up to the sad news of the passing of Zoleka Mandela, the grand-daughter of President Nelson and Mama Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and daughter to the late former Ambassador Zindzi Mandela, who passed away at the height of the COVID-19 Lockdown in July 2020. 

In 2013, Zoleka, an activist, published the book When Hope Whispers, chronicling her life story and battles with drug and alcohol addiction, breast cancer, and the death of her daughter, Zenani, who died in a car crash at the time of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament hosted in South Africa. 

Earlier this year, Zoleka revealed through social media that she had been diagnosed with metastatic cancer and would not have long to live. In several moving social media posts, Zoleka shared her story, hoping to leave a lasting living record of her journey for her children and family. At the same time, she launched the YouTube Channel Terminally Free to inspire others who are battling cancer, particularly women. 

Zoleka had a fighter's spirit and a gentle soul like her mother and grandmother. She dies just a day before what would have been her grandmother's 87th birthday. 

ActionSA sends our deepest condolences to the Mandela and Seakamela families for the loss of their daughter. South Africa's youth is much richer because she lived, and like her forebears, she has not died but multiplied. 

May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Issued by Lerato Ngobeni, ActionSA National Spokesperson