Author and activist Zoleka Mandela, who wrote the book “When Hope Whispers,” has passed away. She was 43 years old.
She had been in the hospital since September 18, receiving treatment for metastatic cancer that had spread to her hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain, and spinal cord.
Her family confirmed her death in a statement posted on her Instagram page. The statement said, “Recent scans showed significant disease progression, including fibrosis in the lungs and several emboli. Zoleka passed away on Monday evening surrounded by friends and family. We are thankful for the medical team that cared for her.”
In 2022, Zoleka had revealed that she had cancer in her liver and lungs. She documented her 10-year journey with breast cancer in her autobiography, “When Hope Whispers,” and was known as a cancer survivor. She shared updates on her health on Instagram, including one where she mentioned a CAT scan that had revealed cancer in her liver and lungs. She expressed her gratitude for the support and love she received from her followers.
In early August, she made headlines when she learned that her battle with cancer was not over. She wrote, “From what she’s told me, cancer in the bones cannot be eradicated, nor can it be cured. I have bone metastasis. What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that this time around I may not get to live my life as a survivor? How do I tell them everything will be OK when it’s not? I’m dying… I don’t want to die.”
