Nelson Mandela’s cousin and childhood playmate has died.

Sitsheketshe Morris Mandela died at the age of 80 in the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital  in Mthatha, on  Wednesday morning,The Zim Diaspora said

Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory spokesman ,Sello Hatang  said that Sitsheketshe Morris Mandela died of lung cancer and had been admitted to the hospital on Friday.

President Jacob Zuma has conveyed his condolences to former president Nelson Mandela on the death of his cousin .

Nelson Mandela

“The ANC believes that Sitsheketshe Mandela was a significant part of the Mandela family and played a crucial role in the affairs of the family and that his departure will leave behind him a void that nobody will fill,” spokesman Jackson Mthembu said.