Zindzi Mandela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zindzi Mandela-Hlongwane
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| Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark from South Africa |
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| In office 2015 – 2020 (until her death) |
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| President | Jacob Zuma Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Stand-in First Lady of South Africa |
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| In office 1996–1998 |
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| President | Nelson Mandela (father) |
| Succeeded by | Graça Machel (step-mother) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Zindziswa Mandela
23 December 1960 Soweto, Union of South Africa |
| Died | 13 July 2020 (aged 59) Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Resting place | Fourways Memorial Park Cemetery |
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| Children | 4, including Zoleka |
| Parents | Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Nelson Mandela |
| Relatives | Zenani Mandela-Dlamini (sister) Thembekile Mandela (half-brother) Makgatho Mandela (half-brother) Makaziwe Mandela (half-sister) |
| Alma mater | University of Cape Town |
Zindziswa "Zindzi" Mandela (23 December 1960 – 13 July 2020), also known as Zindzi Mandela-Hlongwane, was a South African diplomat and poet. She was the daughter of famous anti-apartheid activists and politicians, Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Zindzi was the youngest of Nelson Mandela's three daughters. Her sister was Zenani Mandela-Dlamini.
Zindzi served as South Africa's ambassador to Denmark until her death in 2020. She was also set to become the ambassador to Liberia. From 1996 to 1998, she served as a stand-in First Lady of South Africa. Her book of poems, Black As I Am, was published in 1978. It included photographs by Peter Magubane.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Zindzi Mandela was born on 23 December 1960 in Soweto, which was then part of the Union of South Africa. Her parents were Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. The year she was born, the African National Congress (ANC) started its armed group. Her parents were wanted by the government.
Zindzi was only 18 months old when her father, Nelson Mandela, was sent to prison. During her childhood, her mother was also often imprisoned for many months. Because of this, Zindzi was often looked after by her older sister, Zenani Mandela-Dlamini.
Education and Early Career
In 1977, Zindzi's mother was sent away to live in the Orange Free State. Zindzi went to live with her there. She could not finish her schooling until she was sent to Swaziland. Later, her mother was allowed to move back to Soweto.
In 1985, Zindzi's father, Nelson Mandela, was offered a chance to be released from prison. However, there was a condition. Neither of her parents could deliver his answer. So, Zindzi was chosen to read his refusal at a public meeting on 10 February 1985. This was a very important moment.
Her poems were published in 1978 in a book called Black as I Am. This book also featured photographs by Peter Magubane. Her poetry also appeared in other collections. These included Somehow We Survive: An Anthology of South African Writing (1982) and Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent (1992). Zindzi studied law at the University of Cape Town, where she earned her degree in 1985.
From 1996 to 1998, Zindzi served as a stand-in First Lady of South Africa. This was after her parents divorced and before her father remarried Graça Machel.
Serving as an Ambassador
Zindzi was chosen to be South Africa's ambassador to Denmark in 2014. She arrived in Denmark in June 2015. As an ambassador, she represented South Africa in Denmark.
Towards the end of her four-year term as ambassador, Zindzi expressed strong opinions on social media. She was investigated by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). This department handles South Africa's foreign affairs. The foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, told her to act like a diplomat. She was asked to follow the department's rules for social media.
Some people, like former president Thabo Mbeki, were concerned about her views. Others, like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala, supported her. At the time of her death, she was set to become the ambassador to Liberia. Some family members felt this new posting was a "punishment" for her social media posts.
Personal Life and Passing
Zindzi was married two times. She had four children with her first husband, Zwelibanzi Hlongwane. Her children were a daughter, Zoleka Mandela (born 1980), and three sons: Zondwa (born 1985), Bambatha (born 1989), and Zwelabo (born 1992). Her second husband was Molapo Motlhajwa. He was a member of the South African National Defence Force. They married in March 2013.
Zindzi passed away on 13 July 2020, in a hospital in Johannesburg. She was 59 years old. On the day she died, she had tested positive for COVID-19. However, her family stated that the virus was not confirmed as the cause of her death. They were waiting for an autopsy report. She was buried next to her mother, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, on 17 July. This was one day before what would have been her father's 102nd birthday.
Portrayals in Film
Zindzi Mandela's life has been shown in several films:
- In the 2009 BBC TV movie Mrs Mandela, Refilwe Pitsoe played Zindzi.
- Bonnie Henna played Zindzi in the 2009 film Invictus.
- Xoliswa Sithole played Zindzi in the 1987 TV film Mandela.
See also
In Spanish: Zindzi Mandela para niños
