Sunday, May 29, 2016

Madiba: Thy Will Is Done
27 May 2016 at 13:42pm
By Getrude Makhafola

Johannesburg - Nelson Mandela’s estate, which included R22 million in cash, has been collated and distributed to all beneficiaries as requested by the former statesman in his will, former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke announced on Friday.

The estate executioners, who included Moseneke and struggle stalwart George Bizos, a close friend of Mandela, addressed the media at the Nelson Mandela Foundation offices in Johannesburg.

“Mandela was a public figure, it is not usual to see distribution of an estate done publicly… but Nelson Mandela was Nelson Mandela. We are here to tell the nation that we have come to the end of our task and we did as were asked by Mandela in his will, we went out to accomplish his mission,” Moseneke said.

A few beneficiaries such as higher education institutions, schools and former Mandela staffers were handed out cheques on Friday.

A total of R22 million in cash would eventually be handed over, with some of the beneficiaries such as Mandela’s personal assistant Zelda le Grange opting to have their money sent electronically, said Moseneke.

Mandela left R50 000 for Le Grange, as stated in his will. He however left nothing for his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Distribution of the Mandela properties would follow after the dissemination of the cash. Moseneke said none of Mandela’s assets have been sold in order to pay monies to beneficiaries.

“We have identified all assets domestic and foreign, and his liabilities. We are delighted to inform you that no assets of the deceased have been sold in order to pay the bequests and to discharge estate liabilities and costs. The estate was sufficiently liquid to meet the wishes of Mr Mandela.”

Cheques were handed to Mandela’s driver Richard Maponya, who chauffeured the late statesman from the first say he was released from prison. Other former staffers, Sarah Mabuela and Albertina Dima were also present to receive their R50 000 cheques as stated in the will.

Education institutions such as the University of Fort Hare and Witwatersrand University, the two institutions where Mandela studied, thanked the family and Mandela for the R100 000 cash each they received.

“We are honoured to be the recipients of this bequest, not because of it being monetary but because the issues are too enormous to be satisfied monetarily. This symbolises Mr Mandela’s love for education and for Forth Hare, where he was an alumni… this is timeous because we are celebrating 100 years of existence, and we accept the challenge to uphold the legacy of Fort Hare and also fulfil the legacy of education in this country,” said Ayanda Mjekula, chairman of University of Fort Hare council.

Qunu Secondary School in Mandela’s home village in the Eastern Cape, Orlando West High School in Soweto and the historic Clarkebury Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape also received cheques.

Mandela’s left properties and cash for widow his Graca Machel, her children and grandchildren and Mandela’s children, grand children and great grand children. The late statesman died in 2013, aged 95.

African News Agency

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