Zoleka Mandela, a South African writer and activist, gained recognition through her courageous activism and deeply personal narrative.
As the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, she inherited a legacy of social activism, but it was her lived experiences that brought her widespread acclaim.
Zoleka is the author of the autobiography “When Hope Whispers,” which details her battle with addiction, cancer and the loss of her children.
File
- – Full name: Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela
- – Date of birth: April 9, 1980
- – Age as of 2024: Deceased (died at age 43)
- – Female
- – Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
- – Nationality: South African
- – Occupation: Writer, Activist
- – Height: None
- – Parents: Zindzi Mandela (mother), Zwelibanzi Hlongwane (father)
- – Siblings: Zondwa Mandela, Bambatha Mandela, Zwelabo Mandela
- – Spouse: Thierry Bashala (divorced)
- – Children: Zenani Mandela, Zwelami Mandela, Zanyiwe Zenziwe Bashala, Zenzile Motuba Bashala, Zingce Zobuhle Mandela
- – Relationship status: Divorced
- – Religion: None
- – Ethnicity: Xhosa
- – Net worth: $1 million
Early life and education
Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela was born on 9 April 1980 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is now 43 years old after her death. The daughter of Zindzi Mandela and Zwelibanzi Hlongwane and the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela, Zoleka was born into a family with a deep tradition of political and social struggle in South Africa.
Significant challenges, including instances of sexual abuse, marked her childhood. She was raised in a prestigious family environment that brought with it enormous privilege and pressure.
She attended school in Johannesburg, but details of her formal education are scarce. Her childhood and teenage years were tumultuous, heavily influenced by her family legacy and her battle with addiction.
Personal life
Zoleka Mandela’s personal life was filled with emotional and physical challenges. After dating for two years, she married Thierry Bashala in 2014. They have two children, Zanyiwe Zenziwe Bashala and Zenzile Motuba Bashala.
The marriage ended in divorce in 2020, with Zoleka openly sharing that the relationship had taken a toll on her mental and emotional health. She had a total of six children but sadly lost two.
Her eldest daughter, Zenani Mandela, died in a car accident in 2010 at the age of 13, and her son, Zenawe, died as an infant in 2011. In 2021, despite battling cancer, she welcomed her sixth child, Zingce Zobuhle Mandela.
Career
Zoleka Mandela’s career as a writer and activist was defined by her willingness to share her struggles and use her experiences to advocate for others. Her autobiography, “When Hope Whispers,” published in 2014, was a huge success and brought her story to a global audience.
In the book, she details her struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, her multiple bouts with cancer, and the loss of her children. In addition to writing, Zoleka is a passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness, having been diagnosed with the disease twice.
She also advocates for road safety, which was sparked by the tragic death of her daughter Zenani in a car accident. In 2013, she founded the Zoleka Mandela Foundation, which focuses on health, safety and personal development.
Net asset value
Zoleka Mandela’s net worth is around $1 million. Her finances are largely related to her work as an author and activist.
Death
Zoleka Mandela died on September 25, 2023, at the age of 43. She died after a long battle with cancer that had spread to her liver, lungs, and other organs.
Her family announced her passing, and she received deep condolences from those who admired her strength and fighting work.
Social Media
Book
