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Zoleka Mandela, Granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, Dies at 43
Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of the South African martyr and its first democratically elected president, died on Sept. 25 after an 11-year battle with cancer. She was 43.
Special to The Post
Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of the South African martyr and its first democratically elected president, died on Sept. 25 after an 11-year battle with cancer. She was 43.
Mandela spent her last years raising awareness about cancer prevention, providing details about her treatment for the disease that had begun with a diagnosis of breast cancer when she was 32.
She was treated and she was in remission until the cancer came back, spreading to her liver, spine, lungs, and brain.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement Tuesday, news reports say, saying it “extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family on the passing of Zoleka Mandela, tragically last night.”
“We mourn the loss of a beloved grandchild of Mum Winnie and Madiba and a friend of the Foundation.”
The foundation described her as “a tireless activist for Healthcare and justice.”
“Her work in raising awareness about cancer prevention and her unwavering commitment to breaking down the stigma surrounding the disease will continue to inspire us all,” it said.
Treated as an outpatient until being admitted to the hospital last week, Mandela had gained a following on social media for her candidness about the progress in her disease as well as some of the issues of her past, including depression, drug and alcohol addiction and being molested as a girl.
In addition to crusading for cancer awareness and fighting the stigma of the disease, Mandela had campaigned for road safety when her daughter was killed in a car accident in 2010.
“What do I tell my children?” Mandela posted on Instagram in August 2022. “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.”
In April, Mandela told a radio host on Kaya FM “I’m learning to be okay with my eventuality.”
Zoleka was 10 years old when Nelson Mandela was released from Robben Island in 1990 where he had been imprisoned in South Africa for 27 years. President Mandela died in 2013.
Zoleka Mandela was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women of the Year in 2016.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Zenani, and her son Zenawe who was born prematurely. She is survived by four other children.
BET, BBC and News 24 were sources for this report.
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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
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Activism
IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
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