“Today marks 7yrs since I was 1st diagnosed with BREAST CANCER …
9 months prior to that day, my son (Zenawe) took his last dying breath in my arms,just 2dys after his PREMATURE BIRTH.
A year before his burial, my daughter (Zenani) was killed by a drunk driver, shortly after her 13th birthday.
I was admitted into hospital a few days before that for DEPRESSION and an attempted SUICIDE following a DRUG induced psychotic episode that had me attempting to burn myself alive.
Surviving PHYSICAL ABUSE and SEXUAL ABUSE as a child and teenager resulted in years of emotional and physical SELF HARMING, as well as a 17 year long battle with a DRUG, ALCOHOL and SEX ADDICTION.
August 2019 will officially mark my 9th year of SOBRIETY. I survived a 2nd Breast Cancer diagnosis in 2016 and gave birth to my 5th child, after conceiving my 4th child just 3 months after my last (16th cycle) CHEMOTHERAPY treatment.
There is by no means, a novelty in my life but a reminder that each and every one of us are survivors – that wether you have survived the tragic passing of your own children, physical and sexual abuse, depression, alcoholism, suicidal behavior, drug and sexual addiction as I have or survived some of the worst storms of your life … you are worthy of an opportunity not only to change your own narrative but to better the lives of others by simply being YOU and sharing your own life story.”
Zoleka Mandela is Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter and founder of the Zoleka Mandela Foundation, a social upliftment foundation which was established in 2013.
The foundation is committed to educating people about breast cancer, road safety and social responsibilities, and also assists young people with personal growth, volunteerism and accountability.
She shared her story in her Autobiography “When Hope Whispers” in 2013 to inspire people to follow their dreams despite life’s challenges.
