The funeral of the late author and global activist Zoleka Mandela took place on Friday, September 29th at Bryanston Methodist Church and was attended by family and close friends with the media not allowed at the cemetery.
Soon after the day started, social media was met with a list alleged to have been written by the late mother of six containing people’s names that she did not want at her funeral.
The late Zoleka had previously mentioned in one of her posts that she had started conversations with her family about her death, also mentioning that she had prepared how things should go after her departure.
The alleged list contained many names including the late Zoleka’s aunt, Zenani Mandela Snr, her cousin brother Mandla Mandela and many other family members from both the Mandela and the Madikizelas, and others.
Reported by award winning journalist, Chriselda Lewis of the SABC News, Mandla did not attend the burial and left after the church ceremony.
The journalist also shared a post of Mandla’s statement, captioning her post:
“Mandla Mandela in part of this statement refers to ‘unsavory behaviour’ at the funeral of #ZolekaMandela in that some family members were barred from paying their last respects. Earlier, I tweeted Mandla Mandela left the church service and never attended burial.”
The statement from Mandla read:
“It is extremely unfortunate that my cousin sister’s late rites were mired by this unsavory behaviour and that serious allegations of this nature could be bandied about so irresponsibly. We call on all family and friends to restore respect and dignity and let Zoleka rest in peace. ”
BREAKING #ZolekaMandela
Mandla Mandela in part of this statement refers to ‘unsavory behavior’ at the funeral of #ZolekaMandela in that some family members were barred from paying their last respects.
Earlier, I tweeted Mandla Mandela left the church service and never attended… pic.twitter.com/vJyhh6pjNg— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) September 29, 2023
One social media user asked if Zoleka was buried next to her mother and daughter and Chriselda shared that she wasn’t aware as no media was allowed in the cemetery, adding:
Remember media were not allowed to be at the cemetery. I was there but couldn’t take our camera out.
Yes there was drama, lots of crying and unhappiness even from the church service. That I can confirm. Non of the family members wanted to speak at service or after burial https://t.co/nTl0n6AwAI— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) September 29, 2023
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