OC expresses condolences to Mandela family
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World Cup organizers said on Friday that they were saddened to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela's great grand-daughter.
Zenani Mandela, one of Mandela's nine great-grandchildren, was killed in a car crash Thursday, two days after her 13th birthday. She was killed on her way home from a World Cup concert in Soweto.
Johannesburg police said the driver of the car, a male, had been arrested and charged with drink-driving.
"On behalf of everyone at the organizing committee, I would like to express my condolences to the Mandela family," said OC Chairman Irvin Khoza. "Please know that you will all be in our thoughts today."
"Last year Zenani did us the honor of bringing the FIFA Confederations Cup trophy out onto the podium at the final at Ellis Park on June 28, 2009. We are saddened to hear of her tragic passing and will remember her fondly," said OC CEO Danny Jordaan.
Nobel Peace laureate Mandela, 91, who helped South Africa end apartheid and win the World Cup bid in 2004, has decided to attend the World Cup opening match.
The World Cup will open in Johannesburg's 90,000-seat Soccer City stadium with Mexico facing the host nation.
