Reason! The greatest of all Africans lost her grand daughter in the early hours of Friday when world was readying to see the most coveted competition’s Opening Ceremony at Johannesburg, South Africa.
Nelson Mandela’s Granddaughter, Zenani Mandela was running back to home from the kick off concert in Soweto that was planned to launch the tournament in a joyous note.
The attendees were making their way to their parked vehicles in the light of great fireworks on the sky when a drunk driver ran his vehicle over 13 year old Zenani Mandela. The unnamed driver is also facing charges of a culpable homicide.
The tragic death of Nelson Mandela’s grand daughter left him with no choice than to cancel his much waited appearance at the opening ceremonies of the coveted competition.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement early today that former president would not be able to participate in any of the opening ceremonies of the tournament due to the tragic accident.
No doubt, a slip of hand and tongue under influence by a driver has left the whole world in a state of shock as Nelson Mandela’s presence at the opening ceremonies would have been a great emotional highpoint for African nation that was going to celebrate their proudest day.
The statement further goes that whole world is standing in solidarity with Mr. Mandela and his grieved family at this tragedy at the same time we believe in the sublimity of the World Cup for South Africa and are sure that it would be a great success for Africans.
Madiba however would be there in spirit today, the statement said.
Zenani Mandela had turned 13 on Wednesday.