Reading time: 1 Minute
Zindzi Mandela, daughter of former South African president and liberation hero Nelson Mandela, has died, the spokesman of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Monday.
Zindzi Mandela, whose mother was anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, rose to international prominence when she read out Nelson Mandela’s rejection of then-president P.W. Botha’s offer for freedom in 1985.
![a close up of Zindzi Mandela: FILE PHOTO: Zindzi Mandela, daughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela, arrives for the Royal premiere of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" in London]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"55","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16F8Wf.img?h=549&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1654&y=1179"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"43","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16F8Wf.img?h=429&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1654&y=1179"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"43","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16F8Wf.img?h=429&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1654&y=1179"}})
Zindzi Mandela, daughter of former South African president and liberation hero Nelson Mandela, has died, the spokesman of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Monday.![Zindzi Mandela posing for the camera: FILE PHOTO: Zindzi Mandela, former South African president Nelson Mandela's daughter, attends the BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards in Beverly Hills]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"56","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16FbId.img?h=557&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1395&y=840"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"44","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16FbId.img?h=435&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1395&y=840"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"44","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16FbId.img?h=435&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1395&y=840"}})
Zindzi Mandela, whose mother was anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, rose to international prominence when she read out Nelson Mandela’s rejection of then-president P.W. Botha’s offer for freedom in 1985.
State broadcaster SABC said the 59-year-old, who was serving as South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark, died in a hospital in Johannesburg. It did not say why she had died.
![Zindzi Mandela wearing a suit and tie: FILE PHOTO: Nelson Mandela's daughter, Zindzi Mandela, and grandson, Zondwa Mandela, accept Arthur Ashe Courage Award on Mandela's behalf during taping of 2009 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"54","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16FdxR.img?h=535&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1543&y=489"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16FdxR.img?h=418&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1543&y=489"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16FdxR.img?h=418&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1543&y=489"}})
“This is untimely. She still had a role to play in the transformation of our own society and a bigger role to play even in the African National Congress,” said ANC spokesman Pule Mabe.
Mabe said further details would be provided in due course.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Tanisha Heiberg, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
