Which Mandela Will Do Nelson Proud?

7-04am

With news that there’s a court dispute about how sick Nelson Mandela is, it’s hard to know what to believe in regard to his current condition. One thing that we do know is that the relationships between Mandela family members are in pretty poor health.

Here’s a brief look at Nelson Mandela’s surviving children and the grandchild who is making the biggest noise.

Nelson Mandela has 3 surviving children:

Makaziwe Mandela – born in 1953 to Nelson Mandela’s first wife Evelyn Ntoko Mase. She is his eldest surviving  daughter said in a 2010 interview that she didn’t know if her father loved her. In the online Daily Mail, she drags a lot of dirty Mandela laundry into the public eye, displaying her Dad as a cool, unloving womaniser who was emotionally disconnected from his family. (Source:  http://goo.gl/31rMY) Regardless of how true this is, bringing it into the public domain, does little to honour him, protect his legacy or show him love. Makaziwe is one of the two daughters who have contested the legality of the directors of Nelson Mandela’s companies.

Zindziswa Mandela – born in 1960 to Nelson Mandela’s second wife Winnie. In the press, the latest story of Zindzi is her recent marriage to Molapo Motlhajwa. The only recent issue that has bought the Mandela name into the public eye in a negative sense, is in 2012 she was ordered to pay $7.5m to boxing promoter after failing to stage a fight that was due to take  place as part of birthday celebrations for her father. (Source: http://goo.gl/5CRnv). Zindzi seems to have been very  quiet in her public discussion about her Dad. In fact in a very recent report, I read this: “Winnie is aghast at the dispute and Zindzi tells me: “All families have fights, but we have to be very careful not to compromise my father’s position and the family name.” Her mother nods in agreement.” (Source: http://goo.gl/MV1ZJ)

Zenani Mandela  – born in 1958. Her mother is Winnie. She is the South African ambassador to Argentina.
Mandela’s daughters Zenani and Makaziwe have applied to court to remove Bizos, Tokyo Sexwale, Temba Sangoni and Bally Chuene as directors of the companies as they contest the legality of their appointment. They also want their powers as trustees reduced. (Source: http://goo.gl/fVq43) In this article it states emphatically that Madiba did not trust his children. In another article, I read that Nelson Mandela’s great-grandchildren issued a statement regarding the case.
“Our mothers, aunts and lawyer have our full support” they said, explaining that the suit was not motivated by “money and exploitation of the Mandela name.” (Source: http://goo.gl/UCzHG)

There are many grandchildren (17)  to Nelson Mandela. The one who has been most in the public eye is the eldest grandson Mandla Mandela, born in 1974,  the son of  Makgatho Mandela, Madiba’s son who died of Aids in 2005. According to news reports, Mandla claims greater authority in the large Mandela clan as he is the oldest grandson. He therefore says he takes preference over his aunt Makaziwe Mandela. It is embarrassing to say the least, that Mandla has thrown open a wretched ‘can of worms’  exposing a deep rift between fellow family members. Into the limelight he has raised disputes over money, power, tribal tradition and inter-family affairs. (Source: http://goo.gl/Srfxl)

Madiba also has many great grandchildren (14) You can view the entire family tree at http://goo.gl/Ucjkf.

All I can imagine, is that, if Nelson Mandela is unaware of what is going on outside of his hospital room, his beloved Graca Machel and Winnie Mandela as well, are cringing on his behalf. Graca has always appeared to be a woman of dignity and strength. I like to believe that she would want no part in the toxic greed that seems to be spilling out from many Mandela members.  Sadly the cause for the greed stems from the greatness of the man. If he were not such a well known statesman, there would not be so much greed. Once he has gone the way of all the earth, the power of the name will lose its impact.

It was Solomon who said, “A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.” Proverbs 15:27
It was Jesus who said, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36

It’s not about here and now. Be eternity thinkers.

God bless you loads today!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂