“We send our heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family, the mass democratic movement and the people of South Africa. We equally mourn the sudden departure of this selfless activist of our movement,” said YCLSA national secretary, Tinyiko Ntini. 

“Ambassador Zindzi Mandela’s selfless service to the people of South Africa and the entire movement is a legacy that will forever be exemplary to the youth of our country. Her loyalty to the movement and the struggle for social justice earned her the right to be remembered as a selfless, dedicated and fine cadre of our movement.” 

Ntini said Mandela stood firm on her conviction for freedom and social justice, and in 1985, while she was fully conscious of the consequences of her activism, she made history in Soweto when she read her father’s famous refusal to accept PW Botha's offer of a conditional release from prison. 

“Today, as young people, we should learn and be inspired by her discipline. She expressed her views accurately without trying to portray lack of discipline as some form of misguided radicalism. She always adhered to the highest level of moral conduct expected from a cadre of the movement,” said Ntini. 

He said Mandela undertook the role of South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark selflessly, “regardless of the impact it would have on her personal aspirations”. 

“Her movement and her country came first, even before her own personal ambitions. We pay tribute to this life well-lived,” said Ntini. 

“In honour of Ambassador Zindzi, the Young Communist League of South Africa calls for the unity of the movement against factionalism, foreign sponsored austerity measures and the ideological decay of the youth movement.” 

Zindzi, the daughter of South African anti-apartheid icons – former president Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, died on Monday, aged 59.

African News Agency