Heartbreak intruded on the opening day of the soccer World Cup when Nelson Mandelas 13-year-old great granddaughter Zenani was killed in a car crash here early on Friday. In response,Mandela canceled a much-heralded appearance at a tournament. Zenani was returning home from the events Thursday night kickoff concert in Soweto,an extravaganza that included stars like Alicia Keys and Shakira and was meant to launch the contest on a joyous note. At its conclusion,the sky lit up with fireworks as happy attendees made way to their parked vehicles. According to police,Zenani died in a one-car accident on a Johannesburg highway. The man behind the wheel,who has yet to be named,was accused of drunk driving and may also be charged with culpable homicide,the police said. The Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement saying the former President would now be unable to attend the opening ceremonies of the tournament. The World Cup is being played in Africa for the first time and Mandelas presence was expected to be an emotional highpoint to one of South Africas proudest days. We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy, the statement read. We continue to believe 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 will be there with you in spirit today, the statement said. Associated Press quoted police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane saying the driver was found to be drunk: He lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a barricade. Zenani Mandela had turned 13 on Wednesday. She is the grandchild of Nelson Mandelas daughter Zindzi,who was born while Mandela was married to his second wife,Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Early reports said that Winnie Mandela had been in the car,but this was later denied. A family spokesman told the South African Press Association that Winnie was briefly hospitalised for shock after learning the news. President Jacob Zuma said,The nation shares your loss and mourns with you,especially on the day in which our dreams and hopes come alive in the opening of the first FIFA World Cup on African soil. Mandelas oldest child,Thembikele,died in a car accident in 1969. His second child,Makaziwe,died after living only nine months. His third child,Makgatho,died of an AIDS-related illness. Zenani was one of Mandelas nine great grandchildren. She was the grandchild of Zindzi Mandela,the elder of two daughters born to Nelson and Winnie. The cancellation of his appearance offered a sharp counterpoint to Mandelas more vigorous years when as President he saluted South Africas victorious team at the rugby World Cup in 1995,urging his countrymen to support a squad associated by many Blacks with the Afrikaner elite of the apartheid years. The opening ceremony on Friday had inspired hopes for a similar transcendent moment. In a letter to Mandela made public on FIFAs website,Joseph S Blatter,the head of the soccer governing body,said: The entire football family mourns with you and your family and today we stand by your side.
