Zoleka Mandela, activist and the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected President, passed away at the age of 43 on Monday evening after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her friends and family at the time of her death, according to a family spokesperson.

Over the years, Zoleka Mandela has become influential in raising awareness about cancer prevention and treatment. She also broke down societal taboos surrounding the illness, sharing her own experiences through her autobiography, “When Hope Whispers.”

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Zoleka Mandela: An Advocate for Cancer Awareness and Societal Change

The Nelson Mandela Foundation lauded her work, stating she was an inspirational figure who contributed significantly to cancer awareness and stigma reduction. “Her work was inspirational,” said the Foundation in a public statement.

In addition to her advocacy on cancer, Mandela spoke openly about her struggles with depression and a history of drug addiction. She was candid about surviving sexual abuse as a child, which further endeared her to the public.

Zoleka Mandela had also been a fervent campaigner for road safety following the tragic loss of her 13-year-old daughter in a car accident in 2010. She later endured the premature death of a son and is survived by four other children.

First diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32, Mandela initially went into remission after undergoing treatment. However, the disease returned, affecting her liver and lungs before spreading to other organs. She was receiving outpatient care until her hospitalization a little over a week ago.

In a heart-wrenching Instagram post last month, Mandela wrote, “What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that I may not get to live my life as a survivor this time?” Her candid disclosures garnered her a large following on social media, where tributes have been pouring in since the news of her death broke.

Social media users paid homage to her courage and inspiration.

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