/ 3 February 2014

Winnie gets nothing from Mandela will

Former president Nelson Mandela and ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Former president Nelson Mandela and ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Beloved icon Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has not received anything from the will of the former statesman.

Madikizela-Mandela was Mandela's second wife. They divorced in 1996 after 38 years of marriage.

Madikizela-Mandela reportedly wanted a R20-million divorce settlement, which she said was half of Mandela's assets.

Her claim was unsuccessful.

The anti-apartheid veteran was left out of the will that was read by executors in Johannesburg on Monday.

Her children and grandchildren were the beneficiaries.

Mandela left R3-million each for their two children Zenani Mandela-Dlamini and Zindzi Mandela.

Zenani's children – Zinhle, Zaziwe and Zamaswazi – would receive R100 000 each. Bambatha, Zondwa, Zwelabo and Zoleka, who are Zindzi's children, would also receive R100 000 each.

Mandela's great grandchild, Zozuko Mandela, who is Zamaswazi's child, will get R100 000 from the estate.

The provisional assessment of Mandela's estate was about R46-million, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke told reporters as he released Mandela's will.

Machel receives properties
Mandela's wife Graça Machel will take ownership of four properties the couple jointly owned in Mozambique.

She will also keep their vehicles, jewellery she received during the marriage and all money in their bank accounts or invested with other financial institutions.

Machel and Mandela were married in community of property. She was his third wife.

The properties are three houses in Maputo and one in Chilembene. Mandela's house in Houghton, Johannesburg, belongs to a family trust.

However, Machel is allowed to take any artefacts or works of art from the residence.

Mandela left R3-million each to Josina and Malengane Machel, the children of former Mozambican president Samora Machel and Graça Machel.

He left R100 000 each to Samora Machel's six children born from a previous marriage.

The six are Joselina, Samora Junior, Manthyane, Atwane, Turila, and Olivia Machel.

Machel had 90 days to decide whether she would waive her right to half of Mandela's estate, Moseneke said.

Moseneke explained that when a couple were married in community of property they were entitled to 50% of the estate when one of the partners died.

"She may opt to have exactly half of the estate. It's an election that needs to happen in 90 days … that's still pending."

He said Machel had not yet given her decision.

ANC 'grateful'
The ANC on Monday said it appreciates that Mandela instructed in his will that a percentage of royalties due to him go to the ruling party.

"The African National Congress is deeply humbled by this contribution and is grateful to Madiba and his family," spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

"This generosity has been the hallmark of Madiba's life over the many decades that he has been a dedicated servant of our people."

He said the contribution would go towards recording and dissemination of material that contained and promoted the ANC's policies and principles.

An executive summary of Mandela's will was made public in Johannesburg on Monday.

"There is a direction that the trustees of the NRM Family Trust should at their sole discretion, consider paying, subject to availability of funds, a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 30% of the royalties to the African National Congress," he said.

The royalty payments had to be used at the discretion of the ANC's national executive committee.

Mthembu said the party welcomed the contribution and assured it would be used as directed.

"It will be kept as a special fund used to propagate the values Madiba stood for. The ANC commits itself to upholding and preserving this legacy which is an embodiment of the calibre of leaders who formed and led the ANC, guiding our struggle over decades," he said.

Children to share millions
Mandela's children and grandchildren from his first and second wife will share millions of rands.

Makgatho Mandela and Makaziwe Mandela, his children with first wife Evelyn, will get R3.5-million and R3.3-million respectively.

Makgatho's children, Ndaba, Mbuso and Andile Mandela, will receive R1.1-million each.

Makaziwe's children Dumani, Tukwini, Adjao Amuah and Kweku Amuah will receive R1.1-million each.

Thembekile Mandela's children, Ndileka and Nandi Mandela, will get R3.3-million each from the estate. Thembekile is Mandela's eldest son with Evelyn.

'Not selfish'
Mandela's will shows how unselfish he was, his lawyer and friend George Bizos said on Monday.

"His wishes in his will are a summary of his wishes in life. He has also provided for education institutions. He was not selfish," said an emotional Bizos.

Bizos said Mandela prioritised education.

"He would tell anyone willing to help with any donation to go anywhere in the country and build a school or a clinic," said Bizos.

Bizos, Moseneke and Judge President Themba Sangoni are executors of Mandela's estate.

Mandela also left R50 000 to his personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, and R50 000 to his chef, Xoliswa Ndoyiya.

Ndoyiya said she was humbled by the former statesperson's gesture.

"He has treated me like one of his children. Inheritances are left to family members. I never thought he would leave money for me," said Ndoyiya.

Universities
The University of the Witwatersrand, where Mandela obtained his law degree, and the University of Fort Hare received R100 000 each from the estate.

Wits vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Adam Habib, said the institution was humbled.

"We understand that this endowment brings with it a tremendous responsibility, given the character and legacy of our great leader and his commitment to the transformative power of education," Habib said.

"Thank you, Tata, for remembering us in your will. You live on in our memory and in our lives."

Asked how the rest of the family received the contents of the will, Moseneke said everyone was pleased.

"The reading of the will went well. There were clarifications sought. All Mandela's descendants were present," Moseneke said. – Sapa