While many will remember her as the granddaughter of former South Africa’s president Nelson Mandela, the late Zoleka Mandela often paved her own path.

 

The news of her passing shocked the nation when she succumbed to a long battle with cancer on Monday. She died a day before the birthday of her grandmother, struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who would have turned 87 this year.

The turbulent life of Zoleka is truly unforgettable. Here is a look at five memorable moments in her life:

After the passing of her mother Zindzi Mandela, Zoleka turned to art as a way to grieve. Posting her creations on Instagram, Zoleka quickly gained a following from fans interested in her pimped-out kicks. Her artworks ranged from popular children’s characters including SpongeBob SquarePants to the characters from Coco Melon.