IN PICS | Inside Zoleka Mandela's send-off

29 September 2023 - 14:21
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Zoleka Mandela died on Monday.
Zoleka Mandela died on Monday.
Image: Instagram/Zoleka Mandela

Friends and family gathered at the Bryanston Methodist Church on Friday to bid farewell to author and activist Zoleka Mandela. 

The 43-year-old died surrounded by loved ones on Monday after a long battle with metastatic cancer, an official statement from family confirmed.

The two-time breast cancer survivor documented her life and journey with cancer in a book titled When Hope Whispers and through social media. 

The church doors were closed to media and the public as this was a private funeral. 

A prayer session was held at the Mandela family home in Soweto on Wednesday and a memorial service on Thursday, also at the family home.

The casket of Zoleka Mandela during her funeral service at Bryanston Methodist Church.
The casket of Zoleka Mandela during her funeral service at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Image: Ziphozonke Lushaba
Zoleka Mandela's coffin arrives at the funeral service at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Zoleka Mandela's coffin arrives at the funeral service at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Image: Ziphozonke Lushaba
Friends and family gathered at Zoleka Mandela's funeral at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Friends and family gathered at Zoleka Mandela's funeral at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Image: Ziphozonke Lushaba
Zoleka Mandela's coffin is carried out of the church during her funeral at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Zoleka Mandela's coffin is carried out of the church during her funeral at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Image: Ziphozonke Lushaba
Rasta paints a portrait of Zoleka Mandela during her funeral service at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Rasta paints a portrait of Zoleka Mandela during her funeral service at Bryanston Methodist Church.
Image: Ziphozonke Lushaba

Zoleka, who was the granddaughter of struggle stalwarts Nelson and Winnie Mandela, was diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer in 2012. In 2016 she was again diagnosed with cancer and had chemotherapy treatment which she completed in 2017.

Before her recent diagnosis, Zoleka had been cancer-free for 10 years. Last year she said her battle with cancer was not over.

TimesLIVE


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