NMF, Ramaphosa lauds ‘extraordinary’ Zindzi Mandela

The Nelson Mandela Foundation and President Cyril Ramaphosa have lauded Zindzi Mandela as an icon of the country’s struggle for democracy.

Messages of condolences poured in on Monday following the death of Mandela at the age of 59.

Zindzi Mandela, the youngest daughter of Nelson and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, passed away at Morningside Clinic in Johannesburg on Monday. 

The Nelson Mandela Foundation described Zindzi Mandela’s life as extraordinary.

“Zindzi will be remembered with a rich and extraordinary life marked by many iconic moments.

READ: Mandela's daughter Zindzi dies in South Africa

“That summer’s day in February 1985 at Jabulani Stadium when she read to the world Madiba’s rejection of President (PW) Botha’s offer of a conditional release from prison,” said the foundation’s CEO Sello Hatang. 

Zindzi's death comes two years after the passing of her mother and a few days before Nelson Mandela’s birthday. 

In a statement, President Ramaphosa also described her as one of the country’s icons.

“After our liberation, she became an icon of the task we began of transforming our society and stepping into spaces and opportunities that had been denied to generations of South Africans.

“Her spirit joins Tata Madiba and Mama Winnie in a reunion of leaders to whom we owe our freedom.”