‘One thing Zoleka has taught me is endurance’ – Ndileka Mandela

by Bongiwe Mati

South Africans woke up to the sad news of the passing of Zoleka Mandela, Tata Nelson and Mama Winnie Mandela’s granddaughter, yesterday.

Zoleka was not only known for who her family is, she was a well-known author, a global activist and a strong cancer survivor who never gave up on her fight against cancer, even after its return in the form of bone metastases.

The mother of her “million kids,” as she would often say, remained positive and updated her followers on the procedures she was undergoing as well as how they were making her feel.

In a video clip shared by the SABC, Zoleka’s cousin, Ndileka, who is the late Thembekile “Thembi” Mandela’s daughter, and a granddaughter of the struggle stalwarts, shared a few words about her beloved cousin.

She shared:

“Well, what can I say about my cousin Zoleka. I knew Zoleka from the time that she was a baby, I was about 14 years old when Zoleka was born. My relationship with her extends from the time that she was born. We are a close-knit family, so my memory cast back to the times we would spend in Qunu and in jubilant occasions. The one thing that Zo has taught me even as her older cousin is endurance, bridging the odds. Zo fought courageously; she knew the odds were stacked against her but that didn’t discourage her from fighting this terrible news called cancer.”

Zoleka will be missed by many of her followers who not only loved her but drew strength from her courage and positive attitude.

Also see: Zoleka Mandela dies at 43