The granddaughter of the late Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Zoleka has shared a snap of her graduation in 2018, which reminded her of how Mama Winnie spent so much money on her education, but year in and year out, she admits to having chosen alcohol, sex, and drugs!
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Dating back her Instagram post on Thursday, Zoleka Mandela wrote that (captioning a graduation picture, and that of her and Mama Winnie): “2018… You guys, this picture makes me proud and extremely heartbroken and I’ll tell you why. My Day One (my grandmother) spent so much money on my education but year in and year out, I continued to choose alcohol, sex, and drugs over not just my own children but my education,” said Zoleka Mandela.
Zoleka Mandela said that she matriculated back in 1999, registered for a BA in Psychology in 2000, of which she failed and dropped out of varsity almost every year until she eventually left for good in 2007.
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“Last year (2017), I registered for 8 modules at Unisa (which I completed in 2 semesters) – I was proud, being privileged enough to pay for my own education. My Day One (Winnie Mandela – grandmother) was hospitalized in February (quite critical – 2018) and I made the decision not to attend my graduation without her, there was honestly no longer any point,” shared Zoleka Mandela.
Winnie Mandela lived to see her granddaughter graduate in 2018 with a BA Psychology (majoring in Criminology).
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“BUT you know what? In March this year (2018), not only did I finally GRADUATE and get my BA in Psychology (I majored in Criminology too), I had My Day One with me. We got dressed together, got our make up done together, drove together, took loads of pictures together, and had a celebratory dinner together too! She even had us wearing matching outfits!” said Zoleka Mandela.
Zoleka Mandela said that her grandmother’s voice was the loudest when her degree was conferred to her, she stood up and yelled ‘MADLOMO’!
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“I cried immediately when I saw her and when I looked at the expression on her face. I actually cried so much when we arrived (I felt undeserving, overwhelmed and in disbelief that I actually did it), I was so scared too so she held my hand the whole way, in the car. Now I have tears in my eyes because, after everything I put her through (I lied to her, disappointed her, stole from her, humiliated, angered and hurt her so much over the years), BUT that night, you guys … I totally made her proud!” recalled Zoleka Mandela.
Zoleka Mandela said that this is an exceptionally proud moment in her life, even if she graduated at 38-years-old and after 11 years.
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“IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO REWRITE YOUR LIFE STORY, believe that!!! I wanted to do my Honours next year but since life is just happening, 2020 (at the age of 40) it is… And I know she’ll be there too, just as proud if not more!” concluded Zoleka Mandela.
Zoleka is a mother, Columnist, 2x Breast Cancer Survivor, Road Safety/Breast Cancer Activist, Author: When Hope Whispers, and, Director at ZM Foundation.
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