Who are Zoleka Mandela's parents?

She was the eldest of Zindziswa Mandela's four children, born to Zindziswa's first marriage to Zwelibanzi Hlongwane. After Zoleka Mandela's parents' separation, Zenani, her aunt, raised her.

Who is Zoleka Mandela to Nelson Mandela?

Her mother, Zindziswa Mandela, was Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela's youngest daughter. Therefore, she was his granddaughter.

Is Zindzi Mandela married?

At the time of Zindzi Mandela's death, she had been married twice. She married Molapo Motlhajwa, her second husband, in 2013.

Zoleka Mandela's siblings

At the time of her death in 2020, Zindzi was married to Molapo. Zobuhle had three siblings, Zondwa Mandela, Bambatha Mandela and Zwelabo Mandela.

Who was Zoleka Mandela's husband?

Zoleka met her husband, Thierry Bashala, in 2012 and dated for two years before tying the knot in 2014. Unfortunately, they finalised their divorce in 2020. After the end of her marriage, Zobuhle never publicly introduced anyone as her significant other.

Zoleka Mandela's baby's fathers

She was only married once and had two kids in her first marriage. She did not disclose who her baby's fathers are.

In 2021, she shared a photo of herself with Leeroy Andile Cana, her then-lover. She later announced her pregnancy, although at the time of her child's birth, they had already broken up.
Zoleka Mandela's children

She had six children, although two of them died. Her eldest daughter, Zenani, was born in 1997. Zwelami Mandela, her eldest son, was born on 21st November 2002.


Zanyiwe Zenziwe Bashala is the second oldest daughter and was born in 2014. Zenzile Motuba Bashala, the third daughter, was born in 2019 despite her mother's oncologist warning her against siring kids due to her cancer. Zingce Zobuhle Mandela, the youngest, was born in 2022.

Zenani died in 2010 in a car crash while on her way home from the 2010 World Cup opening ceremony in Johannesburg. Zenani was only thirteen when she died. Zenawe died in 2011 as an infant due to complications related to premature birth.

Zobuhle's fans knew her for being a doting mother to her kids, especially since she often expressed her love for them on social media platforms. She often shared touching tributes to her deceased children on their death anniversaries.

When did Zoleka Mandela die?

According to the family's spokesperson, she passed on on Monday, 25th September 2023, surrounded by her family and close friends.

Zoleka Mandela's illness

Zobuhle was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32 years old. She received treatment and was in remission, although the illness returned later. In 2022, she confirmed that the disease had metastasised to her liver, lungs and other organs.

In an interview, she expressed her worries about losing the battle to the disease and was more concerned about her kids. In an interview with Kaya FM, she mentioned that she was learning to be okay with her eventuality.