/ 26 April 1999

GRAA MACHEL’S MOTHER DIES

THE 95-year-old mother of first lady Graa Machel died on Sunday afternoon in Maputo after a long illness, the President’s office announced on Sunday. Nelly Simbine had been in a coma for a week, presidential spokesman Parks Mankahlana said. Simbine is survived by Machel and five other children. President Nelson Mandela flew to Maputo to convey his condolences to the family and was scheduled to return to South Africa late on Sunday night.