Zindzi Mandela laid to rest, President Ramaphosa praises family

Nelson Mandela’s youngest daughter, Zindzi Mandela is being laid to rest on Friday in a small, private ceremony with only close family members and political figure in attendance.

This is as a result of the Coronavirus guidelines which have made the burial a quiet affair at the Fourways Memorial Park in Johannesburg.

However, her death was shocking as she died same day she was tested positive for Covid-19.

Her son, Zondwa Mandela, stated that it was unclear if the disease caused her death, however, the family is waiting for the autopsy report.

The former Ambassador to Denmark will be buried next to her mother Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

The family has earned praises from President Ramaphosa as regarding the information that was made public.

He said: “Just yesterday we received the news that Zindzi too had tested positive for the virus. I would like to thank the Mandela family for the very important gesture of sharing this information with the nation.”

Speaking during a virtual memorial service for Mandela, President Ramaphosa touched on the stigma around the virus:

“This is a virus that affects us all and there should never be any stigma around people who become infected. In doing so, you’re helping to encourage social acceptance for sufferers. At such a time, what we need most in our lives is to show love and to show care. This gesture is the final act of solidarity in the life of a woman who devoted her life to the cause of her fellow South Africans.”

The president says that Zindzi’s legacy will be immortalized in South Africa even though she has passed:

“Zindzi has departed this life but her legacy will live on in our minds and in our hearts.”

According to a family friend, Sonwabile Ndamase, who paid tribute to her:

“Zindziswa, you were a carbon copy of your mother’s struggles and pain. Our hearts are broken, you loved so deeply, so generously. Death has snatched another member of our family, a friend, sister, comrade and mother too soon and left a gaping chasm of pain in the wake of her passing.”

“We shall always treasure fond memories of her as a feisty, fearless and proud freedom fighter in her own right.”