Katlego Sekhu

South African author, activist, and granddaughter of former President Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela, Zoleka Mandela, has sadly passed away after a lengthy and valiant battle with cancer.
In a statement shared on Zoleka Mandela’s social media accounts during the early hours of Tuesday morning, it was revealed that she had been under hospital care since September 18th, “undergoing ongoing treatment for metastatic cancer, which had spread to her hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain, and spinal cord.”
Regrettably, recent scans unveiled substantial disease progression, including lung fibrosis and several emboli.
On the evening of Monday, September 25th, Zoleka passed away surrounded by friends and family.
This Is A Developing Story.
Speaking exclusively to Point of View with Phemelo Motene in April this year, Zoleka revealed that she was in the ‘planning stages’ of her cancer journey.
“I’m blessed enough to be in a position where I’m in my planning stages. I’m having conversations with my loved ones and my lawyer and therapist. That’s where I am right now,” she told Phemelo Motene.
“I’m learning to be okay with my eventuality. I’m learning to live despite an expected death. I’m also just continuously evaluating many facets of my life. I think that’s empowering for me. I’m put in a place where I actually have a say, especially with regard to my children.”



