Nelson Mandela’s grand daughter Zoleka Mandela Bio: Age, Net Worth, Spouse, Height, Wiki, Parents, Siblings, Children, Death, Books

Zoleka Mandela, a South African writer and activist, gained recognition through her courageous advocacy and deeply personal storytelling.

As the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, she inherited a legacy of activism, but her own life experiences brought her widespread acclaim.

Zoleka authored the autobiography “When Hope Whispers,” detailing her battles with addiction, cancer, and the loss of her children.

Profile

• – Full name: Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela
• – Date of birth: April 9, 1980
• – Age as of 2024: Deceased (passed away at age 43)
• – Gender: Female
• – Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
• – Nationality: South African
• – Profession: Writer, Activist
• – Height: N/A
• – 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: N/A
• – Ethnicity: Xhosa
• – Net worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela was born on April 9, 1980, in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is now posthumously 43 years old. As the daughter of Zindzi Mandela and Zwelibanzi Hlongwane and the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela, Zoleka was born into a family deeply entrenched in South Africa’s political and social struggles.

Significant challenges, including instances of sexual abuse, marked her early life. She was raised in a high-profile family environment, bringing privileges and immense pressures.

She attended school in Johannesburg, but details about her formal education are sparse. Her childhood and teenage years were tumultuous, heavily influenced by her family’s legacy and her battles with addiction.

Personal Life

Zoleka Mandela’s personal life was fraught with emotional and physical challenges. After dating for two years, she married Thierry Bashala in 2014. They had two children, Zanyiwe Zenziwe Bashala and Zenzile Motuba Bashala.

The marriage ended in divorce in 2020, with Zoleka openly sharing that the relationship had adversely affected her mental and emotional well-being. She had a total of six children but tragically 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 her ongoing battle with 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 critical success and brought her story to a global audience.

In the book, she detailed her battles with drug and alcohol addiction, her multiple fights against cancer, and the heart-wrenching loss of her children. Beyond writing, Zoleka was a passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness, having been diagnosed with the disease twice.

She also championed road safety, motivated by the tragic death of her daughter Zenani in a car accident. 2013 she established the Zoleka Mandela Foundation, focusing on health, safety, and personal development.

Net Worth

Zoleka Mandela‘s net worth is around $1 million. Her financial status was primarily linked to her work as an author and activist.

Death

Zoleka Mandela passed away on September 25, 2023, at 43. Her death followed a prolonged battle with cancer, which had metastasized to her liver, lungs, and other organs.

Her family announced her passing, and she was widely mourned by those who admired her strength and advocacy work.

Social Media

• N/A

Books

• – When Hope Whispers