Zindzi Mandela, Daughter Of Nelson Mandela, Dies At 59, Colleagues Mourn Death

Zindzi Mandela, daughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela, died Monday, July 13, at the age of 59.

"The 59-year-old daughter of former president Nelson Mandela and struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, passed away at a Johannesburg hospital in the early hours of this morning," the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported. The cause of death was not known.

Zindzi, who leaves behind four children, was the South African ambassador to Denmark at the time of her death.

She rose to prominence in 1985 when she read out her father’s rejection of then-president P.W. Botha’s offer to release him.

Stressing that Zindzi will always be remembered for her speech, Pule Mabe, spokesman of the ruling African National Congress, told SABC, “Zindzi played a critical role in the old struggle days. You would remember her for the infamous letter that came from Mandela at the time, giving directives to the people of the ANC on what tasks had to be discharged. So she was a very important part of the ANC in many other ways. She has made sacrifices.”

Several of her colleagues and well-wishers mourned her death.

“Zindzi will not only be remembered as a daughter of our struggle heroes, Tata Nelson, and Mama Winnie Mandela but as a struggle heroine in her own right. She served South Africa well,” Naledi Pandor, South Africa's Minister of Science and Technology, told SABC.

Describing Zindzi as a “strong woman,” South African actor Menzi Ngubane tweeted, “Devastated to hear of the sudden passing of Zindzi Mandela. She was a fearless, strong woman, her resilient personality showing at quite a young age. May her soul Rest In Peace.”