Leaving a legacy of self-love and change, Zoleka Mandela was a proud mother of six.
Though leaving behind her four beloved kids, her love for them was transfixing despite losing two of her children. The author and activist welcomed us in her house, during the baptismal of her kids, and two nephew and niece in December 2022.
Zoleka takes pride in being a mother and spoke of wanting to have a “legacy of self-love [and] change”, and the tragedies in her family.
Always putting people first, this was evident through how the baptismal attendees were free chit chatting amongst each other with kids happily playing.
“I just want to be a mom because I know what it’s like to not be a mom to my kids.” says Zoleka; adding that she just wants to be a mom and wears it with pride because “I know what it’s like to not be a mom to my kids. I know what it’s like to not be an emotional invested mom who’s hands on with her kids and unfortunately my daughter passed away and experienced this type of motherhood from me.”
“I do believe it’s never too late to change one’s story but for there to be changes in your life, you need to make those changes and that comes with a responsibility. I want them [her children] to know that I did everything for them, I live for my kids,” said Zoleka.
The news of her passing shook many. Zoleka died on 25 September 2023 after losing a long and painful battle with cancer. She openly shared her suffering with the world on social media.
READ MORE | GALLERY | Inside Zoleka Mandela's memorial service - 'She embodied peace, passion, positivity'
Reverend Kamogelo Monoametsi, at Zoleka's memorial, gave insight of Zoleka before her passing - he also conducted the great-grandchildren's baptismal - he says the last time he saw the late Zoleka was when he was "invited by the family to come and just spend some moment in prayer with her.
"It was such a cheerful moment for us. One could tell that she is getting some strength. And she believed that she would get out of the previous situation she had found herself in. She believed that she would be healed. She believed that regardless of being in and out of hospital, that she still had hope. And that, for me, was a moment, an amazing moment. To hear somebody, regardless of the pain, the struggle, the conflict that she was going through at that time, still had hope. And so, it was inspiring for all of us. We had some time together with her in prayer," he said.
Described as a "giver and praised for her easy-going parenting" by her best friend of over three decades, Thatohatsi Mothibe, the 43-year-old author cites the importance of prayer and family. Adding that Zoleka is resilient despite the huddles she has faced throughout her life, including her daughter’s tragic death, Zenani who was killed in a car crash in 2010 following a concert.
The gathering for the baptismal was an epitome of unity behind loved ones. After four years of postponement due the loss of the family matriarch, Winne Mandela, and her beloved mother, Zindzi Mandela, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Mandela great grandchildren were baptized at the Bryanston Methodist Church.
Reverend Kamogelo was also in attendance and assisted with the baptismal. He tells us that the Mandela family approached the church and since they had a good longstanding relationship with them requested that "they would like me to baptise their children."
“They approached us, of course, they worship at Bryanston Methodist Church. Most even the mom used to worship at Bryanston Methodist Church. And so, they've got a very good relationship with our church. And they approached us and requested that they would like me to baptise their children.
"They continue to support the church. In actual fact, almost every month, we get flowers in remembrance of their mom. And so, they continue to keep that connection with the church. And hence, it was very easy for us to reach out to them and offer our spiritual support, to offer our pastoral care to them because we could tell that there's a person who is faithful to God and our church certainly needs to be there for them," he says.
However, Zoleka told us that if 'mama' Winnie was alive the baptismal would have been held at Soweto.
“…but I don’t think if my granny was alive, they wouldn't be doing the baptismal at Bryanston because our actual family church is at Meadowlands, Soweto; that’s where I had my son [and] my oldest daughter who would’ve been 25 at the time of the interview, my son who is 20 got baptized there and my nieces and nephews,” she told the publication.
“Being a child been raised in faith and having a relationship with God and the importance of prayer [and] family. We had so many tragedies in the family but it's so nice to still get the sense of family despite of those who are not with us,” she said.
