Inasmuch prepare for the day in her cancer journey, none quite expected the “Zoleka Mandela Dies” headline.
The granddaughter of anti-apartheid icons Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela Mandela died on Monday, September 25, 2023, at the age of 43, after a long and brave fight against cancer.
ALSO READ: Farewell to a Hero: Zoleka Mandela’s Inspiring Journey Ends in Battle Against Cancer
Zoleka Mandela Diagnosed Of Cancer In 2012
Zoleka was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 when she was 32 years old. She underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A double mastectomy—also known as a bilateral mastectomy—is a surgery in which both breasts are removed at the same time.
Zoleka Mandela Dies From Cancer[Image: zolekamandela/Instagram]
Zoleka won against cancer in 2013. She also battled addiction and depression and lost two of her children in tragic accidents in 2010. She wrote a memoir titled When Hope Whispers, which chronicled her struggles and triumphs. The author also became an activist and motivational speaker, raising awareness about cancer, mental health and women’s rights.
Second And Final Battle
In 2016, Zoleka revealed that she had a second cancer diagnosis. She managed to elbow off the disease.
In 2022, she announced that she had cancer in her liver and lungs. The author said she was preparing for the eventuality of her death and wanted to spend as much time as possible with her family and friends.
Zoleka Mandela also continued to share her journey on social media, inspiring thousands of people with her honesty, positivity and faith. She said she was not afraid of dying but rather of living a life without purpose.
Zoleka Mandela Dies
She was admitted to hospital on Monday, September 18, 2023, for ongoing treatment for metastatic cancer in the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord. However, recent scans revealed significant disease progression, including lung fibrosis and several blood clots.
Zoleka Mandela Dies From Cancer [Image: zolekamandela/Instagram]
Bone metastasis happens when cancer cells spread from their original site to a bone, which is more likely in cases of breast and prostate cancers.
On her last Instagram posts, Zoleka’s face looked swollen and exhausted with a clean-shaven head. She smiled weakly and captioned:
“I had a CT Scan administered a few weeks back, which have shown that I have blood clots as well as Fibrosis in my lung. This explains the chest pains I had been feeling.”
That was the last time Mzansi ever heard from Zoleka Mandela. She’s now #TerminallyFree.
ALSO READ: End of an Era: Four Mandela Generations Embrace Eternity – Winnie, Zindzi, Zoleka, Zenani”
Zoleka Mandela will be stand out as a warrior who fought against all odds and a beacon of hope who inspired many to never give up.