Tragedy Strikes at World Cup for Nelson Mandela

June 11, 2010 Remembered

Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela was set to appear at the World Cup opening ceremony on Friday, but canceled after his 13-year-old great-granddaughter, Zenani Mandela, was killed in a car accident Thursday night.

According to police, Zenani was returning home from the World Cup Kick-off Celebration concert, when her driver, who is yet to be named, was accused of driving under the influence and hit a barricade.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the tragedy "made it inappropriate" for Mandela to attend opening day. Adding, "We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr. Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy."

Zenani was one of Mandela's nine great-grandchildren.

Filed Under: Remembered, Nelson Mandela

Prev Post Gary Coleman's Family Appalled Over Hospital Photos

Next Post 'American Splendor' Comic Book Author Dies at 70

Add Your Comment

Your comments*

Please check your inbox ... your comment will not appear until you have confirmed your identity via email.
Receive Extra Newsletter

Cancel Reply

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put 1 URL in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.