Nelson Mandela, who was to attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup, missed the event after the death of his great-granddaughter, Zenani, in a car crash. The 13 year old died last night when she was on her way back from a concert in Soweto. The car carrying her from the concert overturned, killing her in the accident. The driver was reported to be drunk, and the police has arrested him following the unfortunate incident. He may face culpable homicide charges.
According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the tragedy made it inappropriate for the former president, who is 91, to attend the opening ceremony in Johannesburg. The statement said that people from all around the world would stand in solidarity with Mr. Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy.
The statement went on to say that Madiba (Mr. Mandela’s clan name) would be with all the followers of FIFA World Cup 2010 in spirit. "We continue to believe that the World Cup is a momentous and historic occasion for South Africa and the continent and we are certain it will be a huge success." Mr. Mandela, who is an anti-apartheid icon, was the leading man who had campaigned for the World Cup to come to South Africa.
Celebrities from around the world attended the opening ceremony held at the Soweto's Soccer City stadium. The opening match, played between hosts South Africa and Mexico, eventually drawn at 1-1, was a thrilling affair for thousand of fans.
The venue is receiving hordes of people draped in their respective countries flags accompanied by the beating soundtrack of a cacophony of vuvuzelas (traditional African trumpets). But this celebratory mood was dampened by the sudden death of Zenani Mandela.
Police have started investigations against the driver carrying Mandela’s granddaughter. The car overturned as it came off a slip road on the M1 motorway, which travels through Johannesburg city centre. This tragedy came at a time when all the roads leading to Soccer City are under severe pressure. Thousands of cars could be seen trying to make their way into Soweto. Most of the roads near the fan parks are currently gridlocked, says BBC News Correspondent Pumza Fihlani.
The driver was unhurt in the accident, but lost control of the vehicle when he came off the M1 motorway and collided with a barricade. The driver will be presented in court for a preliminary hearing.
Initial reports spread rumours that Mandela’s former wife, Winnie Madikizela, had been in the car when the accident happened. But theses rumours were rejected by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and they confirmed that she was not involved in the accident, but she was taken to hospital because of her shock at the news of Zenani's death. She is reported to be fine now and has returned home.
FIFA’s president Sepp Blatter described the death as "unspeakably tragic". It is important to note that South Africa has the world's worst road safety records. Everyday about 42 people die on the roads of South Africa.
It is expected that about 350,000 people would visit South Africa for the FIFA World Cup 2010, as this is the most major international sports tournament. Around 1,500 performers took the stage during the opening ceremony. The ceremony was broadcasted in more than 200 countries around the globe.
The concert Mandela’s granddaughter went to attend before her tragic death featured a host of international stars. The big names to perform during the event included Colombian pop diva Shakira, chart toppers Black Eyed Peas and soul singer Alicia Keys. Amadou & Mariam and Hugh Masekela were the top African stars to perform as well. Amidst all this pomp and celebrations, the Mandela family has requested for privacy to mourn the death of a loved one. Fans hope that Nelson Mandela would be able to make it to the closing ceremony of the World Cup.
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