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Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter Zoleka dies at 43 after battling cancer

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2023

Acclaimed author and granddaughter of the iconic Nelson Mandela, Zoleka Mandela, passed away at the age of 43 after a long and arduous battle with metastatic cancer.

Her family confirmed her passing in a statement posted on her Instagram account on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

The family’s statement revealed that recent scans had shown significant disease progression, including fibrosis in her lungs and several emboli.

“Zoleka passed away on the evening of Monday surrounded by friends and family. Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her,” the statement read.

Zoleka’s health took a turn for the worse in September 2023 when she was admitted to the hospital for ongoing treatment.

The metastatic cancer had spread to various parts of her body, including her hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain, and spinal cord.

Just a day before her hospitalization, she took to Instagram to share her latest medical update.

“I had a CT Scan administered a few weeks back, which has shown that I have blood clots as well as Fibrosis in my lung. This explains the chest pains I had been feeling. My Medical Oncologist has recommended blood thinners and Oral Chemo,” she shared a post.

“I am yet to receive feedback regarding my bone scan, to establish whether I have cancer beyond my ribs. I am hanging on by a thread. Thanking you all for your outpouring of love, prayer, and support. Peace. Passion. Positivity,” she added

In early August, Zoleka had revealed the gravity of her condition.

“From what she’s told me, cancer in the bones cannot be eradicated, nor can it be cured. I have bone metastasis. What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that this time around I may not get to live my life as a survivor? How do I tell them everything will be OK when it’s not? I’m dying … I don’t want to die,” Zoleka revealed.