Close friends and family members of Zoleka Mandela gathered at the Mandela family home in Soweto on Thursday to remember the life of the author and activist.
The 43-year-old died surrounded by loved ones on Monday after a long battle with metastatic cancer, an official statement from the family confirmed.
“Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her,” they said.
Zoleka's brother and family spokesperson Zwelabo said: “We are still digesting everything that's going on but doing our best to carry out this send-off with the dignity my sister needed,” he told SABC news.
Reflecting on his relationship with her, Zwelabo said Zoleka's online personality was no different from who she was at home and he would cherish the memories they had together and inherit her resilient spirit.
“It hasn't been with my sister a traditional hierarchy in terms of how we relate. She created the platform for us to have some sort of dynamism and I've always been grateful for that because then my perspective on things continues to widen and I can only just inherit her strength in the different approaches to life.
“There was not much discrepancy between what you saw online and how we related. I think that's why people gathered behind her so easily because she was always relatable, always open, always vulnerable, and able to change that and empower people. There are many fond memories, but for the most part, everyone caught the greatest glimpses of my sister and I'm thankful.”
'I can only just inherit her strength' — Zoleka's brother at her memorial service
Close friends and family members of Zoleka Mandela gathered at the Mandela family home in Soweto on Thursday to remember the life of the author and activist.
The 43-year-old died surrounded by loved ones on Monday after a long battle with metastatic cancer, an official statement from the family confirmed.
“Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her,” they said.
Zoleka's brother and family spokesperson Zwelabo said: “We are still digesting everything that's going on but doing our best to carry out this send-off with the dignity my sister needed,” he told SABC news.
Reflecting on his relationship with her, Zwelabo said Zoleka's online personality was no different from who she was at home and he would cherish the memories they had together and inherit her resilient spirit.
“It hasn't been with my sister a traditional hierarchy in terms of how we relate. She created the platform for us to have some sort of dynamism and I've always been grateful for that because then my perspective on things continues to widen and I can only just inherit her strength in the different approaches to life.
“There was not much discrepancy between what you saw online and how we related. I think that's why people gathered behind her so easily because she was always relatable, always open, always vulnerable, and able to change that and empower people. There are many fond memories, but for the most part, everyone caught the greatest glimpses of my sister and I'm thankful.”
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