The Royal House of Mandela has welcomed the Mthatha High Court’s dismissal on Thursday of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s claim for the late statesman Nelson Mandela’s Qunu home.
Speaking on behalf of the Mandela royal family‚ Chief Mandla Mandela‚ grandson of the late struggle icon‚ said the ruling honoured his final wishes that the Qunu residence be managed by the executors of his estate.
“The family is grateful that this saga has now come to a close and trusts that uMakhulu Winnie will make peace with the judgement and desist from any further actions that may be perceived as amounting to deep disdainful of Madiba’s legacy and final wishes.
“We respect the right of every citizen to legal recourse‚ but it is deeply regrettable that this challenge to his final wishes should have come from someone of her stature and proximity to the family‚” Chief Mandela said.
Mthatha Deputy Judge President Zamani Nhlangulela took only a few minutes to read out the conclusion of his judgment on Thursday morning.
After dismissing Madikizela-Mandela’s application‚ he ordered her to pay the legal costs of the Mandela estate’s executors and the former Land Affairs Minister Derek Hanekom‚ who were respondents in the case.
Madikizela-Mandela went to court to fight the will of the former state president‚ who died on 5 December 2013.
In his will‚ Mandela bequeathed the Qunu property in the Eastern Cape to the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Family Trust for the benefit of the Mandela family‚ including his third wife Graca Machel and her children.
But Madikizela-Mandela claimed he did not have the power to dispose of the property. She said the property had been given to her by the tribal authority while Mandela was still in prison and that she had not anticipated that that land would be given to Machel.
She also claimed that while her civil union with her former husband was dissolved by divorce‚ the customary marriage which took place in 1958 by payment of lobola to her family‚ was never dissolved.
She argued that she had rights to the property as Mandela’s wife because their customary marriage still existed.
Replying to her claim in their court papers‚ the executors of Mandela’s estate argued that the civil marriage “overrode” the customary marriage.
Chief Mandela said the family were relieved that the court had left his grandfather’s legacy and estate intact and safe in the hands of the executors he appointed in his last will and testament.
“The Qunu residence symbolises important phases in his early and late history. Qunu is a symbol of hope to our family‚ the South African people‚ all who supported the International Anti-apartheid Movement‚ and the global community of peace loving people at large.
“Now that the court has issued its ruling we reiterate that justice will always prevail‚ and we pledge to continue upholding Madiba’s legacy and ensuring that the Qunu residence retains its pride of place‚” Chief Mandela added.
Royal House of Mandela says court ruling honours Madiba’s final wishes
Speaking on behalf of the Mandela royal family‚ Chief Mandla Mandela‚ grandson of the late struggle icon‚ said the ruling honoured his final wishes that the Qunu residence be managed by the executors of his estate.
“The family is grateful that this saga has now come to a close and trusts that uMakhulu Winnie will make peace with the judgement and desist from any further actions that may be perceived as amounting to deep disdainful of Madiba’s legacy and final wishes.
“We respect the right of every citizen to legal recourse‚ but it is deeply regrettable that this challenge to his final wishes should have come from someone of her stature and proximity to the family‚” Chief Mandela said.
Mthatha Deputy Judge President Zamani Nhlangulela took only a few minutes to read out the conclusion of his judgment on Thursday morning.
After dismissing Madikizela-Mandela’s application‚ he ordered her to pay the legal costs of the Mandela estate’s executors and the former Land Affairs Minister Derek Hanekom‚ who were respondents in the case.
Madikizela-Mandela went to court to fight the will of the former state president‚ who died on 5 December 2013.
In his will‚ Mandela bequeathed the Qunu property in the Eastern Cape to the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Family Trust for the benefit of the Mandela family‚ including his third wife Graca Machel and her children.
But Madikizela-Mandela claimed he did not have the power to dispose of the property. She said the property had been given to her by the tribal authority while Mandela was still in prison and that she had not anticipated that that land would be given to Machel.
She also claimed that while her civil union with her former husband was dissolved by divorce‚ the customary marriage which took place in 1958 by payment of lobola to her family‚ was never dissolved.
She argued that she had rights to the property as Mandela’s wife because their customary marriage still existed.
Replying to her claim in their court papers‚ the executors of Mandela’s estate argued that the civil marriage “overrode” the customary marriage.
Chief Mandela said the family were relieved that the court had left his grandfather’s legacy and estate intact and safe in the hands of the executors he appointed in his last will and testament.
“The Qunu residence symbolises important phases in his early and late history. Qunu is a symbol of hope to our family‚ the South African people‚ all who supported the International Anti-apartheid Movement‚ and the global community of peace loving people at large.
“Now that the court has issued its ruling we reiterate that justice will always prevail‚ and we pledge to continue upholding Madiba’s legacy and ensuring that the Qunu residence retains its pride of place‚” Chief Mandela added.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos