Family member verifies list of unwanted funeral attendees by Zoleka Mandela

Zoleka Mandela

Cape Town – Late former president Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter  Ndileka Mandela, has confirmed the authenticity of a list of people that her cousin Zoleka did not want at her funeral.

Zoleka had been battling cancer and passed away at the age of 43.

Her private funeral took place at the Bryanston Methodist Church, and the list, which had been widely shared on social media, included prominent members of the Mandela family.

Zoleka wrote on the list that some of these individuals had sexually abused her.

Ndileka, who had just arrived from the US, reportedly confirmed the existence of a list circulating on Twitter containing the names of individuals.

“There is a list in circulation on Twitter that I can confirm that contains the names of people. That was her (Zoleka’s) dying wish for those people not to attend the funeral.”

Despite being on the list, Mandla Mandela, a family member, attended the funeral.

According to The Citizen, Mandla denied abusing his cousin Zoleka Mandela.

Mandla said the passing of his cousin is a sad occasion and “one which deserves dignity, decorum and observing last respects for a loved one”.

Zoleka’s memorial service was held earlier, and she had bravely battled cancer for several years, documenting her journey in an autobiography.

“I was on the list of confirmed attendees and accordingly paid my last respects. The timing of the appearance of a list of people who Zoleka apparently didn’t want to attend her funeral is unfortunate. The allegation of sexual abuse is serious and very uncharacteristic for someone as outspoken as her to leave it undisclosed until her unfortunate demise,” the report quoted Mandla as saying in a statement.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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