South Africa | CNN | Zoleka Mandela, the granddaughter of South Africa’s inaugural democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela, has tragically succumbed to cancer at the age of 43.

Her passing occurred tonight, with loved ones and friends by her side, as confirmed by a spokesperson.

In recent times, Ms. Mandela had gained widespread recognition for her candid accounts of her battle against cancer. She was equally forthright about her past struggles with substance abuse.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation commended her as an inspirational figure who tirelessly worked to raise awareness about cancer prevention and shatter the societal taboos surrounding the disease.

Ms. Mandela also courageously shared her experiences with depression and revealed her painful history of childhood sexual abuse.

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