/ 5 February 2014

Reports on Winnie ‘mischievous’, says Zindzi Mandela

Zindzi Mandela
Zindzi Mandela

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's daughter Zindzi Mandela said on Monday that the press reports stating that Winnie received nothing from Nelson Mandela's will were "mischievous" and "sensationalist".

"She never attended the reading of the will as she didn't regard herself as a beneficiary," she said in a statement.

"Why would she expect to be maintained after his passing when she was never maintained during his lifetime?"

She described the reports as "mischievous and sensationalist".

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.

Left out
The anti-apartheid veteran and ANC MP was left out of the will made public 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.

Zindzi Mandela said on Wednesday she was grateful to her father for everything he had done for his immediate family and extended global one.

She said her mother would continue to mourn Mandela according to traditional protocols.

"Mama will continue to mourn my father … while holding Mama Graça's [Machel] hand throughout this difficult period.

"No amount of speculation from the media and the public will define the love that is shared by our family even when we disagree on issues from time to time." – Sapa