Nelson Mandela cancelled his appearance at the opening of the World Cup on Friday after his great granddaughter was killed in a car crash, casting a cloud over South Africa’s day of joy in hosting the continent’s first edition of the tournament.
Zenani Mandela, 13, was killed in a car accident on her way home from a concert kicking off the tournament last night.
The young girl apparently died in a one-car accident � no-one else was injured.
That pessimism has been transformed in recent weeks and South Africans of all races can scarcely contain their pride at being in the world spotlight.
Earlier this week he met members of the Black Eyed Peas, one of the main acts at last night’s concert, and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.