#HopeForZoleka | Mandela family commence with mourning protocols

The Mandela family has expressed their gratitude to those who have showered them with support in their time of grieving Zoleka.

The 43-year-old author and activist died on the evening of September 25 surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with metastatic cancer. 

“The Mandela Family together with The Zoleka Mandela Foundation wish to extend their profound gratitude for the support shown during our time of loss,” read an official statement.

“We are thankful for every gesture, token of kindness and respect expressed. The family has commenced with their mourning protocols, and will appropriately advise on continuing the work on behalf of Zoleka Mandela.”

Zoleka's funeral, which took place on September 29, was marred by a family feud as her aunt Zenani allegedly prevented her from being buried next to her grandmother Winnie, her mother Zindzi, and her daughter Zenani, which led to her being moved to a nearby plot.

Approached by the Sunday Times, Zoleka’s former husband, Thierry Bashala, denied he had purchased the cemetery plot where Zoleka was buried.

“Yes, I was at the funeral, but I was there talking to the auntie and telling her she should not do that and allow Zoleka to be buried [next to] her family. [This] completely failed, and then Fourways Memorial had allocated another burial site for the family because it was just. We were not getting through to her,” he said.

“I was there in the morning trying to talk to the aunt. I was there for two hours [trying] to talk sense to the aunt and say it’s not on.”

When he was asked why Zenani had prevented Zoleka's burial, he said: “I do not want to comment any further on that. Obviously, there are some family issues on the table which need to be resolved, and it’s unfortunate they were dealing with it on such a sad occasion, and I just pray a solution is found with regard to the family's personal matters.”