Zoleka Mandela

A South African advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and mental health, breaking stigmas through personal tragedy

Zoleka Mandela (born 1970) is a South African activist whose life took a transformative turn after losing her father Nelson Mandela to prostate cancer in 2005. This tragedy propelled her into public service, focusing on HIV/AIDS advocacy and mental health awareness. Despite her famous surname, she carved her own path by founding The Mandela Family Trust, which provides counseling services to children affected by HIV/AIDS. Her memoir Walking in the Footsteps of Giants (2018) details her journey from grief to advocacy. Mandela's work has been featured in BBC documentaries and she frequently speaks at global health conferences. She pioneered the Mandela Mental Health Initiative, which trains community health workers in rural areas. Her advocacy led to policy changes in South Africa's mental health legislation, making her a key figure in post-apartheid healthcare reform.