/ 13 June 2010

Funeral arrangements for Zenani being finalised

The funeral arrangements for Nelson Mandela’s great-granddaughter Zenani were still being finalised, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said on Saturday.

“Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Nelson Mandela Foundation as soon as they are finalised,” said the foundation spokesperson Sello Hatang.

Zenani Zanethemba Nomasonto Mandela was killed in a car accident two days after her 13th birthday on her way home from the Soccer World Cup concert in Orlando Stadium early on Friday.

Mandela’s former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had also attended the concert separately and had to be rushed to hospital to be treated for shock on hearing the news.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said a man arrested in connection with the accident was a relative of the teenager, but neither the foundation nor the police would provide details.

Zenani was born at the Park Lane Clinic in Johannesburg on June 9 1997.

The daughter of Zoleka Mandela-Seakamela and Casey Moyo, she was the granddaughter of Zindzi Mandela and the great-granddaughter of Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Zenani was in grade six at St Stithian’s College in Johannesburg. She was part of the choir, the marimba club and the drumming band and also played the piano and the saxophone.

“Zenani recently expressed the ambition to become a plastic surgeon. She loved to set up beauty pageants with her friends and enjoyed making pancakes and scrambled eggs,” said Hatang.

“Most of all she loved to read and write, which she did daily.”

On Friday, a drunk-driving case against a man arrested after the accident was struck off the roll.

Gauteng police Brigadier Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said the case had been struck off the role for further investigation.

On hearing of the accident, Mandela decided it would be inappropriate to attend the Soccer World Cup opening ceremony or game on Friday afternoon. – Sapa