Nelson Mandela to miss World Cup opening ceremony ‎

Nelson Mandela will not attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup following the death of his great-granddaughter.

The former South Africa president was expected to be at Soccer City in Johannesburg where the hosts will take on Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 tournament.

But the death of 13-year-old Zenani Mandela in a car accident as she travelled home from the concert to open the global showpiece on Thursday evening has cast a shadow over the event.


And the 91-year-old Mandela, who has been in frail health recently, will now not be present for Friday's first fixture.

"Mr Nelson Mandela this morning learned of the tragic death in an accident of his great granddaughter," said a statement from the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

"It would therefore be inappropriate for him to personally attend the FIFA World Cup opening celebrations.

"We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy.

"We continue to believe that the World Cup is a momentous and historic occasion for South Africa and the continent and we are certain it will be a huge success.

"Madiba (Mandela's clan name) will be there with you in spirit today."