Ex-South African President and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela and his family have reportedly suffered the loss of his great-granddaughter in a car accident.
According to the Associated Press, Zenani Mandela, 13, died when traveling home after the kickoff concert in Soweto which featured performances from The Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and Shakira. Reports state that the accident happened just hours before the World Cup was due to open in Johannesburg.
A police spokesman said Zenani was travelling together with Nelson Mandela’s former wife, Winnie Madikizela.
“The family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy,” the Foundation said in a statement released by the Associated Press.
Zenani was one of South Africa’s former president’s nine great-grandchildren.
