Zindzi Mandela passes away aged 59

The African National Congress said the fearless activist’s passing was a “huge loss”

Zinzi Mandela
REJECTION LETTER: Zindzi Mandela famously read out her father’s response to the government’s while imprisoned

ZINDZI MANDELA, the daughter of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, has passed away at the age of 59.

She died in hospital in Johannesburg on Monday morning, however the cause of death has not yet been announced.

Ms Mandela was the youngest of the former president’s six children, of whom two are still alive.

She is survived by her husband and four children.

‘Paralysed and heartbroken’

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said it was “paralysed and heartbroken” by Ms Mandela’s death, adding it would remember her for her “rich and extraordinary life”.

Nelson Mandela with daughter Zinzi Mandela
FREEDOM FIGHTER: Zindzi Mandela was vocal in her support for radical land reform

It said: “We will also remember her as a special soul. We valued her generosity, her warmth and her sense of humour. She was always patient in responding to our requests for information and other forms of assistance. And we admired her strength in dealing with life’s challenges and tragedies.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also paid tribute to the Mandela family, hailing Ms Mandela as an icon who helped transform lives.

In a statement, he said: “I offer my deep condolences to the Mandela family as we mourn the passing of a fearless political activist who was a leader in her own right.

“Zindzi Mandela was a household name nationally and internationally, who during our years of struggle brought home the inhumanity of the apartheid system and the unshakeable resolve of our fight for freedom.

“After our liberation, she became an icon of the task we began of transforming our society and stepping into spaces and opportunities that had been denied to generations of South Africans.

Zinzi Mandela
HEARTFELT TRIBUTES: Many have paid tribute to the activist and her work

“Her spirit joins Tata Madiba and Mama Winnie in a reunion of leaders to whom we owe our freedom.”

Fight for land reform

Ms Mandela grew up in the height of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, 

She came to international prominence in 1985 when she read her father’s rejection letter to then-president PW Botha’s offer of conditional release from prison.

In recent years, she has voiced support for radical land reform in South Africa, calling for white-owned land to be returned to the dispossessed black majority.

She had said: “Dear Apartheid Apologists, your time is over. You will not rule again. We do not fear you. Finally #TheLandIsOurs.”

At the time of her death she had been South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark.

Comments Form

1 Comment

  1. | Meg Todd-Anderson

    A sad loss of a tireless fighter.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*
*

Support The Voice

The Voice Newspaper is committed to celebrating black excellence, campaigning for positive change and informing the black community on important issues. Your financial contributions are essential to protect the future of the publication as we strive to help raise the profile of the black communities across the UK. Any size donation is welcome and we thank you for your continued support.

Support Sign-up