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Zindzi Mandela, the South African ambassador to Denmark and the daughter of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and of South African anti-apartheid leaders Nelson Mandela has died, she was 59 years old.

The devastating news was announced by South African state television but did not provide further details on the cause of her death and reported only that Zindzi Mandela died at a hospital early Monday morning. Confirmed also by the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation the same day.

Life & Legacy

Zindzi Mandela, daughter of Nelson Mandela, arrives for the London premiere of the movie “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” in 2013.

(Matt Dunham / Associated Press)

Zindzi was the younger sister of Zenani Mandela and the third of Nelson Mandela’s three daughters,

She had been South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark since 2015.

Like her parents, Zindzi Mandela was involved in the liberation struggle and was an active member of the African National Congress (ANC) youth movement.

Zindzi Mandela with her parents in 1961, and with Nelson after his release (AP Photo/Star, Alf Kumalo; Peter Turnley/Corbis)

One of her most prominent moments of The Mandelas’ daughter was in 1985, she came to international prominence when PW Botha, the then apartheid president of the white minority government offered to release Nelson Mandela from prison if he denounced violence perpetrated by his movement, the African National Congress, against apartheid, the brutal system of racial discrimination enforced in South Africa.

She read out - in front of a huge crowd of ANC supporters at Soweto's Jabulani stadium a letter in which her father rejected the offer.

Zindzi Mandela reads his letter rejecting the offer at a packed public meeting that was broadcast around the world.

Zindzi was not only the daughter of Africa freedom fighters, she is the daughter and beloved sister of the nation, but also a Leader in Her Own Right'.

In 1985, Zindzi holds a sign reading, "Release all our comrades now!!" at the Cape Town university campus as she and other students stage a demonstration requesting the release of ANC activists. Next to her, another student holds a picture of her father, Nelson Mandela.- AFPGetty Images

Still in the fighting spirit instilled in her by her parents particularly Winnie. Last year, Zindzi Mandela called in a tweet for the return of the white-owned land to South Africa’s dispossessed Black majority.

“Dear Apartheid Apologists, your time is over. You will not rule again. We do not fear you. Finally #TheLandIsOurs,” she tweeted in June last year #OurLand.

Zindzi Mandela spent many years involved in South Africa’s freedom struggle and embraced roles in the arts, philanthropy and business.

She had also released poetry that was published in 1978 in the book Black as I Am while also appearing in publications including Somehow We Survive: An Anthology of South African Writing and Daughters of Africa.

Nelson Mandela escorts Zindzi Mandela on her wedding day.

Louise GubbGetty Image

The news comes just days before the anniversary of the former South African president's birthday.We expressed our condolences to the Mandela family and friends

She is survived by her husband and four children: Zwelabo, Zondwa, Bambatha, and Zoleka Mandela..

According to her son, her funeral, is scheduled for Friday, a day before the annual Nelson Mandela Day on July 18, an annual celebration of his birthday.

Mother and daugther Zindzi and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela | Image: Twitter @zindzimandela

Messages and tribute are pouring from dignitaries of the country

“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,” Pandor said.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his regards. “I offer my deep condolences to the Mandela family as we mourn the passing of a fearless political activist who was a leader in her own right,” Ramaphosa said.

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," Pandor said in her own statement. "She served South Africa well."
"I offer my deep condolences to the Mandela family as we mourn the passing of a fearless political activist who was a leader in her own right," Ramaphosa said. "Our sadness is compounded by this loss being visited upon us just days before the world marks the birthday of the great Nelson Mandela."
The Nelson Mandela Foundation described her as a "special soul" who "will be remembered for a rich and extraordinary life".