This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
On July 13, 2020, Zindzi Mandela, the youngest daughter of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, passed away at the age of 59 in a Johannesburg hospital. Her death occurred just a day before her son revealed that she had tested positive for Covid-19.
According to her son, the family is awaiting the full autopsy results to determine the cause of her untimely death. However, Mandela's son clarified that her death was not directly caused by Covid-19 complications, but rather the test result was a confirmation of her infection on the day of her passing.
As an anti-apartheid activist, Zindzi Mandela was known for her strong voice and her ability to bring home the 'inhumanity' of the apartheid system. President Cyril Ramaphosa praised her for her contributions to the fight for freedom in South Africa.
The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation described Zindzi Mandela as a 'child of the nation' and a vital link between South Africa's divided history and its promise of a better future.
