In a striking unconventional gesture, Zoleka Mandela, who passed away on Monday, September 25, took deliberate steps to leave behind a list showing names of people she expressly did not want present at her funeral or near her body. This revelation has piqued curiosity and sparked contemplation as her unique last wishes are carefully carried out.
Zoleka Mandela funeral
Zoleka Mandela’s final farewell, held at Bryanston Methodist Church in Johannesburg today, reflects her meticulous planning down to the finest details, particularly concerning her guest list.
As her family and close friends gather to bid their final farewell, the surprising list of individuals she did not want to attend her funeral has found its way onto social media.
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Zoleka Mandela Funeral Guest Exclusion List
On April 7, 2023, Zoleka Mandela documented the names of people she did not want to attend her funeral in her diary. The exclusive exclusion list seen by Zimoja includes well-known names, such as Thiery Bashala, the father of her two children, and Leeroy Andie Cana, the father of her youngest child, Zingce.
Strikingly, the list also encompasses several prominent figures from both the Mandela and Madikizela family circles. The reasons underpinning these exclusions remain a subject of contemplation and have raised intriguing questions.
A Testament to Personal Autonomy
Zoleka Mandela’s deliberate choices regarding her farewell not only shed light on her strong-willed nature but also emphasize her unwavering desire for autonomy, even in her final moments.
In a remarkable display of foresight, Zoleka revealed that she had been preparing for her eventual passing. Engaging in a series of conversations with her family, a lawyer, and a therapist, she meticulously discussed the intricate details of how her children’s lives would unfold after her departure.
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These preparations extended to comprehensive discussions about the events surrounding the day of her passing and the arrangements for the days that would follow.
“It will probably sound strange, but I am in my panic stages. I think I am blessed and fortunate enough to be in a position where I am in my planning stages,” she candidly admitted.