The Mandela family has expressed their unequivocal support for Nelson Mandela's widow Graca Machel in her quest to take legal action against former surgeon-general Dr Vejay Ramlakan.
Mandela's eldest grandson Nkosi Mandla Mandela said: "We believe that Machel is correct in her assessment that the doctor’s recently released book ‘Mandela’s Last Years’ may contain statements that constitute an ethical breach, and certainly violates the doctor–patient confidentiality principle.
"We are aggrieved as a family that the privilege of administering to President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela afforded to the doctor appears to have been vilely abused. We believe that it is not unreasonable to expect that the sensitivities entrusted to him by the family and those entrusted as custodians of Nkosi Dalibhunga’s legacy should not be compromised, or used in any manner that may be interpreted as pithy gain, or which does a disservice to the legacy and the sanctity of uTatomkhulu’s final moments," said Mandla in statement.
Mandla, who is also a senior traditional leader of Mvezo, where Mandela was born, said they wanted to caution that "this is not the first apparent abuse of the Mandela name and legacy and we call on all to respect the wishes and proprietary rights vested by none other than President Mandela himself".
"We are deeply disappointed that the doctor appears to have compromised himself and the man whom he had the privilege to serve. We want to assure Mama Nosizwe (Graca Machel) that she is not alone in taking offence at the apparent violation of Nkosi Dalibhunga’s privacy. We believe that the sentiments that she has expressed find echoes in the hearts of all who loved and revered the Father of our nation," said Mandla.
Mandela family 'unequivocally' supports Graca - Mandla
Mandela's eldest grandson Nkosi Mandla Mandela said: "We believe that Machel is correct in her assessment that the doctor’s recently released book ‘Mandela’s Last Years’ may contain statements that constitute an ethical breach, and certainly violates the doctor–patient confidentiality principle.
"We are aggrieved as a family that the privilege of administering to President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela afforded to the doctor appears to have been vilely abused. We believe that it is not unreasonable to expect that the sensitivities entrusted to him by the family and those entrusted as custodians of Nkosi Dalibhunga’s legacy should not be compromised, or used in any manner that may be interpreted as pithy gain, or which does a disservice to the legacy and the sanctity of uTatomkhulu’s final moments," said Mandla in statement.
Mandla, who is also a senior traditional leader of Mvezo, where Mandela was born, said they wanted to caution that "this is not the first apparent abuse of the Mandela name and legacy and we call on all to respect the wishes and proprietary rights vested by none other than President Mandela himself".
"We are deeply disappointed that the doctor appears to have compromised himself and the man whom he had the privilege to serve. We want to assure Mama Nosizwe (Graca Machel) that she is not alone in taking offence at the apparent violation of Nkosi Dalibhunga’s privacy. We believe that the sentiments that she has expressed find echoes in the hearts of all who loved and revered the Father of our nation," said Mandla.
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