Zoleka Mandela, the granddaughter of anti-apartheid heroes Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, died on Monday evening after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was 43.

Her death fell one day before her grandmother’s birthday. The struggle stalwart would have turned 87 this year.

According to a statement released by the family, Zoleka died after being admitted to hospital on 18 September for ongoing treatment for cancer of the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord.

The statement said that recent scans had revealed significant disease progression, including lung fibrosis and several emboli (blood clots).

Zoleka was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her death.

News24 previously reported that she announced her diagnosis of bone metastasis – her third bout of cancer – in August last year.