Zindzi Mandela was buried on Friday after a private funeral
The daughter of the late Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela died aged 59 earlier this week.
Zindziswa “Zindzi” Mandela was South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark at the time of her death.
She was buried next to her mother who died two years ago, at a cemetery in Fourways.
Her family said she had tested positive for coronavirus on the day she died (on Monday), but they were still awaiting post-mortem results.
A guard of honour lined the entrance to the chapel as her coffin was escorted across a red carpet, as family and friends observed the sombre moment. Strict Covid-19 protocols were followed by the mourners.
Zindzi was the youngest daughter of former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Madikizela-Mandela. She was raised in Soweto and educated in SA and Swaziland.
Mandla and Ndileka Mandela penned heartfelt tributes to Zindzi
Read: WATCH LIVE | Zindzi Mandela burial
In a eulogy at a virtual memorial on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked the Mandela family for “the very important gesture of sharing this information with the nation”.
“In doing so you are helping to encourage social acceptance for sufferers. This is a virus that affects us all, and there should never be any stigma around people who become infected,” said Ramaphosa.
Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema paid tribute to Zindzi for her role in the liberation of South Africa from the shackles of apartheid.
“She survived the most brutal regime at an early age and we thought that this crisis and invisible enemy (coronavirus) we are confronted with today, she is going to survive it because she has seen worse. And when people like mama Zindzi succumb to this invisible enemy we all remain hopeless and we are shattered,” Malema said.
Read: Nelson Mandela lost 2 children Zindzi and Thembekile on the same day 13 July