Nelson Mandela’s Granddaughter, Zoleka, Passes Away at 43 After Brave Cancer Battle
Zoleka Mandela, a beloved author and the granddaughter of the iconic Nelson and Winnie Mandela, has tragically passed away at the tender age of 43 after a prolonged and courageous fight against cancer.
In a heart-wrenching revelation in 2022, Zoleka disclosed her battle with the cruel disease that had taken hold in her liver and lungs, embarking on a challenging journey towards recovery.
The sorrowful news of her passing was officially confirmed by her grieving family through a statement shared on her Instagram account on Tuesday, September 26.
The statement expressed, “Recent scans revealed significant disease progression including fibrosis in the lungs as well as several emboli. Zoleka passed away on the evening of Monday surrounded by friends and family. Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her.”
Zoleka’s health struggles had taken her to the hospital on September 18, where she received unwavering care for metastatic cancer that had affected multiple parts of her body, including her hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain, and spinal cord.
A poignant Instagram post by Zoleka a day before her hospitalization hinted at her ordeal, as she shared, “I had a CT Scan administered a few weeks back, which has shown that I have blood clots as well as Fibrosis in my lung. This explains the chest pains I had been feeling. My Medical Oncologist has recommended blood thinners and Oral Chemo.”
Zoleka, celebrated for her book titled “When Hope Whispers,” which candidly chronicled her arduous decade-long battle with breast cancer, bravely divulged her medical condition following a CAT scan by her oncologist.
“The CAT scan has revealed cancer both in my liver and lungs. I am yet to receive feedback regarding my bone scan, to establish whether I have cancer beyond my ribs. I am hanging on by a thread. Thanking you all for your outpouring of love, prayer, and support. Peace. Passion. Positivity,” she shared in a poignant post.
In early August, Zoleka candidly revealed that her struggle against the illness was far from over, admitting, “From what she’s told me, cancer in the bones cannot be eradicated, nor can it be cured. I have bone metastasis. What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that this time around I may not get to live my life as a survivor? How do I tell them everything will be OK when it’s not? I’m dying … I don’t want to die.”
Zoleka Mandela’s unwavering spirit and her willingness to share her challenging journey with the world will forever serve as an inspiration to many. Her legacy will undoubtedly endure as a testament to her indomitable courage in the face of adversity.
