Daughter of Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela Dies

Zindzi Mandela, daughter of former president Nelson Mandela, has died. Courtesy image of Zindziswa "Zindzi" Mandela

Zindziswa "Zindzi" Mandela died disillusioned from the party that her late father fought for. The news was confirmed on Monday morning by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Here is the eNCA interview with COSATU Secretary General Bheki N confirming the word on the interwebs that had linked Zindzi's death to COVID-19 https://youtu.be/Xl-1oHokoFo

The daughter of former President Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela served as South Africa's ambassador to Denmark.

Mandela is survived by her four children and her husband.

Zindzi is best remembered for her defiance, which she retained throughout her life, most recently voicing her support for accelerated land reform.

Her first foray into the spotlight in her own right was when she read her jailed father's speech in Jabulani Stadium, Soweto, in February 1985, rejecting then-president PW Botha's conditional offer of freedom.

Five months ago, as South Africans commemorated the 30th anniversary of Madiba's release from the Victor Verster prison, Zindzi reminisced about the weekends they went to visit him in prison and how, upon his release, she realised she would share him with the nation.

Here is a sample of tweet reactions to the breaking news

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa on Monday described her as a fighter who had fought from the early days of her life. Holomisa told TimesLIVE that Zindzi was very close to her late mother. “We will also remember her during the time when she was campaigning for [Nelson] Mandela to be released. She was vocal. My condolences to the family and her children and sisters.” Zindzi and her sister Zenani grew up in the forefront of the anti-apartheid struggle as their mother fought both the state and economic hardship as a single mother while their father was incarcerated.