Writer and activist Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela will be laid to rest on Friday in a private funeral in Bryanston.
Her memorial service takes place on Thursday at the Mandela family home and the general public will be allowed to livestream the proceedings.
Zoleka, who was the granddaughter of the late Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela Mandela, passed away on Monday evening.
The family revealed that she was admitted into hospital over a week ago for ongoing cancer treatment. She suffered from metastatic cancer to the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain, and spinal cord. Recent scans revealed significant disease progression including fibrosis in the lungs as well as several emboli.
Zoleka Mandela passed away at the age of 43 and was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. Although she beat the cancer twice the disease returned again in August 2022.
She openly shared with the public that since the cancer had come back, it was at stage four which meant she was given a terminal diagnosis and was living on borrowed time.
After being diagnosed again she shared how terrified she was and was battling to come to terms with her diagnosis.
“I’m battling to come to terms with my diagnosis, it’s both daunting and terrifying. Prayer for acceptance and peace that passes all understanding. Peace. Passion. Positivity,” she wrote.
She detailed her cancer treatment journey up to her last days.
Last year she shared that she was contemplating donating her eggs which she stored at a fertility clinic.
Zoleka Mandela leaves behind four children, Zenani, Zenawe, Zenani, and Zwelami. Two of her other children passed away. Her 13-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident in 2010 and she later lost a son who was born prematurely.
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