Zoleka Mandela is a South African writer and activist who derives some of her fame from being the late Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter.
From overcoming drug addiction and surviving cancer to now inspiring other people who might be battling addiction or suffering from cancer, Zoleka Mandela is truly a phenomenal woman.
Besides inspiring the world through her personal experiences, Zoleka Mandela is above all also an inspiration to her children. She is a proud mother of six children but sadly two of her children passed on.
Here are all the details about each of Zoleka Mandela’s children. Also, take a look at who her ex-husband is as well as her current boyfriend.
Zenani Mandela
Zenani Mandela was Zoleka Mandela’s oldest child, she was born in 1997 but sadly passed on in 2010 a few days after celebrating her 13th birthday.
The young girl was on her way back from the World Cup Concert in Soweto when she was hit by a car driven by a drunk driver who was acquitted of all charges.
The loss of her daughter in a car crash, motivated Zoleka Mandela to become an activist for road safety.
Zwelami Mandela
Zoleka Mandela’s second child and currently her oldest is a handsome young man called Zwelami Mandela.
Zwelami, who is already taller than his mother, was born on the 21st of November 2002 and will be turning 20 in a few weeks.
Zenawe Zibuyile Mandela
In 2011, Zoleka Mandela with her partner- Sekoati Tsubane welcomed her second son called Zenawe Zibuyile Mandela. The child was born three months prematurely and sadly passed on a few days after being born.
Zanyiwa Zenziwe Bashala
Zoleka Mandela’s second-born daughter is a beautiful young girl called Zanyiwa Zenziwe Bashala who was born in 2014.
Zenzile Motuba Bashala
Zoleka Mandela’s fifth child- Zenzile Motuba Bashala was born in 2019. Although she is still quite young, most of Zoleka’s fans seem to think that the little girl looks just like her, and they are not wrong.
Zingce Zobuhle Mandela
In April 2022 at the age of 42, Zoleka Mandela welcomed her sixth and currently youngest child- a daughter called- Zingce Zobuhle Mandela.
Zoleka Mandela’s ex-husband
A few years ago, Zoleka was married to a businessman called Thierry Bashala. The two met in 2012 in a clothing store where Thierry Bashala spotted her and started following her around while pretending to be trying on jeans.
The two began dating shortly after that and in 2014 they got married. Their relationship resulted in the birth of Zoleka’s two children- Zanyiwa Zenziwe Bashala and Zenzile Motuba Bashala.
After eight years of being together and six years of marriage, Zoleka and Thierry ended their marriage with Zoleka explaining that it had taken her two years to find the courage to leave a relationship that no longer served her.
Who is Zoleka Mandela’s new man?
After her marriage ended and Zoleka Mandela took time to find herself, she found love again- this time in the arms of Leeroy Andile Cana.
Cana is an actor and has made appearances in a handful of films. He is also a fine artist originally from the Eastern Cape and the father of Zoleka Mandela’s youngest child.
The two started dating in 2021 and they look so great together!
