Mandela’s granddaughter Zoleka dies at 43. Her life was full of tragedy but she embraced his legacy

By GERALD IMRAY
Associated Press

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter Zoleka has died at age 43. Her family made the announcement of her death in a statement on Tuesday a day after she died on Monday. Zoleka Mandela’s life was tangled up in drug and alcohol addiction, a suicide attempt, a battle with cancer and the desperate tragedy of losing two young children. But she ultimately emerged from the shadows to embrace her family name and her grandfather’s legacy and become an inspiration to those affected by cancer or those who had lost children. She set up foundations to help people in both spheres.