NELSON MANDELA’S REMAINING SIBLING DIES

Nelson Mandela’s last remaining sibling; Nothusile Bhulehluthi has died in Qunu, rural Eastern Cape in South Africa.

Bhulehluthi was one of the 13 children Mandela’s father, Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela had with his four wives; she was 81.

According to the ex-president’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, ‘it was with great sadness that the Mandela’s learned last night (Sunday, January 29, 2012) of her death’. He also added that she will be sorely missed.

The current president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma also gave his condolence message in a statement. ‘On behalf of myself, the people and government of South Africa, I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to Madiba and the entire Mandela family at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this time of sorrow.’

This sad news is one of the several that the great activist and his family have had in the past 18 months. In June 2010, his great – grand daughter, Zenani Mandela, 13, died in a car crash after attending the World Cup Soccer Games kick-off concert. Also, June 2011, Zenani’s mother lost another child to premature birth.