Friend denies reports of family row over Nelson Mandela funeral arrangements
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
A friend of the Mandelas has denied reports of family row over funeral arrangements for the ailing 94-year-old who is in a critical condition at a Pretoria hospital. South African media reported a rift had emerged over where Nelson Mandela should be buried, with his grandson Mandla wanting him interred in the village of Mvezo, where the anti-apartheid leader was born, while others supported Qunu, where he grew up.
Family members met local elders and other notables on Tuesday in Qunu but did not discuss funeral arrangements, according to Bantu Holomisa, a politician who was present at the gathering.
“The purpose of the meeting was to brief the elders about Mandela's condition,” Mr Holomisa told the local Mail and Guardian newspaper. “With some family members living in Johannesburg and others in the Eastern Cape, it becomes important to make sure everyone is kept up to speed with the developments.”
“One does not want to leave the elders behind,” he added.
Makaziwe Mandela, the Nobel Peace laureate's eldest daughter has been shuttling between Qunu and Pretoria, where her father is being treated since he was hospitalized earlier this month.
As a former president, Mr Mandela's funeral, in the event of his death, would be arranged by the government. The current president, Jacob Zuma, has issued regular updates on his predecessor's health but has declined to release exact details of his condition.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments