USA Africa Dialogue Series - Mandela's final wishes from the grave: Education, family unity and SA reconciliation

All of Nelson Mandela's descendants were present in the room when his last will and testament was read on Monday morning in Johannesburg. In order that the world did not see their faces, the media contingent was kept temporarily locked in the auditorium as the family left the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. Considering the subliminal messages Mandela communicated in the will, it is not surprising that they did not want to be seen. Contrary to expectations that they would receive a substantial inheritance, Mandela's estate is relatively modest. He left no cash amounts to any of his children and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and put in place legal safety nets to prevent his estate from being squandered. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke read out excerpts from Nelson Mandela's will at a media conference, which spelt out the devolution of the founding president's estate to his family, staff and education institutions. Moseneke, an executor of Mandela's estate along with Advocate George Bizos and Eastern Cape Judge President Themba Sangoni, has a very formal, judicious manner and distinguished voice.

But if you closed your eyes and listened to the words, you could almost hear Mandela's inimitable voice, occasionally pausing for dramatic effect and emphasising certain words. When you see his well-known signature at bottom of every page of the will, you can imagine him sitting at his desk, reading the document with that sombre look on his face, lips pursed in an upside down smile, nodding slowly at phrasing he particularly approved of. Read More

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