Zoleka Mandela hailed for her undying fighting spirit

The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) says Zoleka Mandela displayed true leadership through her life.

The Youth League joins other South Africans who have paid tribute after the 43-year-old lost her battle with cancer last night.

The league says it is thankful by how Mandela naturally assumed the role of being a cancer activist, as used every day of her life to raise awareness on cancer.

The author and activist is well known for her bravery and passion for educating South Africans to follow their dreams despite life’s challenges.

She was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age of 32. She was treated and was in remission, but the illness later returned.

She is survived by four children after having lost two others. Her 13-year-old daughter passed away after a car accident in 2010 while her son died in 2011, days after his birth.

The ANCYL’s National Spokesperson, Zama Khanyase, says Mandela lived a full life.

The 43-year-old lost her battle with cancer on the eve of her grandmother, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s 87th birthday.

Social media users have praised Zoleka for her zeal and fighting spirit, which they say inspired others to keep fighting despite adversities.

The EFF sends its heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family on the passing of Zoleka Mandela. pic.twitter.com/3TsD1nZ4hv

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 26, 2023

Who Was Zoleka Mandela?

Zoleka Mandela: A Warrior in Her Own Right; Overcoming Trials, Inspiring Through Truth

—

Early Years: Born to Promise, Raised in Shadow

Zoleka Mandela was born on April 9, 1980, in Soweto, South Africa. Growing up as the granddaughter of Nelson… pic.twitter.com/z7Xgd6Pvbe

— Supreme 🐐 (@master_ureself) September 26, 2023

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗖𝗗𝗣 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) learned with sadness about the passing on of Zoleka Mandela, grand-daughter of the late former President Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela,… pic.twitter.com/pkym7a5hQo

— ACDP South Africa (@A_C_D_P) September 26, 2023

What a brave battle you fought! May God be with your children and the rest of your family during this period. You are now reunited with your loved ones. Rest well daughter of Seakamela 🕊️

May Zoleka Mandela’s courage to keep fighting multiply! #TerminallyFree pic.twitter.com/MYvezgq12Q

— Akanyang Monaisa (@AkanyangMonaisa) September 26, 2023

My admiration for Zoleka Mandela reaches the sky 🦋. A symbol of hope, strength and courage – which are all things I associate with the light black women radiate in the world. She selflessly taught us to stand firmly above the toughest afflictions. She IS peace. RESPECT ❤️🦋✨

— siphokuhle 🥷🏾 🦋 (@sips__m) September 26, 2023

Zoleka Mandela’s passing is a tough one. On the one hand there is slight glee that she is free from all the pain, being poked and probed. On the other hand, she deserved more because she kept hope alive and she needed a little more time with her kids.

— SUN (@zama_em) September 26, 2023

Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Morongwa Phukubye says Zoleka will always be remembered for the impact she had on the people who met her.

During one of her last interviews with our sister channel, eNCA, she spoke candidly about how her battle with cancer always reminded her that we are living on borrowed time.