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Nelson Mandela

JOHANNESBURG. — The late South African President Nelson Mandela’s third wife, Graça Machel, is the main beneficiary of the will, which was read in Johannesburg yesterday because their marriage was “in community of property” and she therefore has the right to half his estate, according to executor and Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

Graça Machel will take ownership of four properties the couple jointly owned in Mozambique — three houses in Maputo and one in Chilembene — according to the former statesman’s will.

She will also keep their vehicles, jewellery she received during the marriage and all money in their bank accounts or invested with other financial institutions.

Mandela’s house in Houghton, Johannesburg, belongs to a family trust. However, Machel is allowed to take any artefacts or works of art from the residence.

Mandela left nothing to his estranged wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in his will. The only mention made of her, is as his “second wife”, with reference to his children Zenani Mandela-Dlamini and Zindzi Mandela, as well as their children.

The document was drawn up in 2004, and provisions were updated in 2005 and 2008. Earlier yesterday, Moseneke said, the will was read in its entirety to members of Mandela’s family.

“It went well,” he said. “There were clarifications sought from time to time.”
The provisional assessment of Mandela’s estate was about US$4,1 million.

Mandela left R3m each to Josina and Malengane Machel, the children of former Mozambican president Samora Machel and Graca Machel.
He left R100 000 each to Samora Machel’s six children born from a previous marriage. The six are Joselina, Samora Junior, Manthyane, Atwane, Turila, and Olivia Machel.

Machel had 90 days to decide whether she would waive her right to half of Mandela’s estate, Moseneke said. Moseneke explained that when a couple were married in community of property they were entitled to 50 percent of the estate when one of the partners died.

“She may opt to have exactly half of the estate. It’s an election that needs to happen in 90 days . . .that’s still pending.”
He said Machel had not yet given her decision. — Sapa/Wires.