Nelson Mandela’s will released to the public

The reading took place at the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Family Foundation in Houghton and was handled by the executors of his estate; deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Advocate George Bizos and Judge Themba Sangoni.

Only an executive summary of the will was released in an attempt to maintain transparency. According to Moseneke, the provisional value of Mandela’s estate was R46 million excluding royalties.

Among the beneficiaries mentioned were his third wife Graça Machel, children, various learning institutions and the African National Congress.

Graça Machel is entitled to half his estate while her children received US$300 000.

According to the will, his children did not receive money because they already were granted US$300 000 each while Mandela was alive.

His grandchildren Mandla, Ndaba, Mbuso and Andile Mandela each received US$300 000, while the other grandchildren received R100 000 each.

Each of his personal staff members, among them Zelda le Grange, received R50 000 for their service.

The will also made mention of various schools and institutions that were to receive money from the estate. Among those mentioned were Orlando High School, Qunu Secondary School, Fort Hare University and the University of the Witswatersrand, all of which received R100 000 which would be used to give scholarships and bursaries to deserving pupils.

The family Foundation received R1 500 000 and any future royalties, while the ANC received a maximum of 30 percent share of any future royalties.