Nelson Mandela smiles to the public. Picture: Michel Clement and Daniel Janin/ AFP
A family dispute in the Mandela family has erupted over the ownership of the Mandela mansion in Houghton.
The dispute involves some of former president Nelson Mandela’s grandchildren and his eldest daughter Makaziwe Mandela, who has been accused of trying to sell the property.
The family members’ dispute has led to renovations to the house being halted.
Madiba’s grandson Ndaba told The Citizen on Friday that renovations to the Mandela house would only resume once the family dispute has been resolved.
“Makaziwe, my aunt who was trying to sell [Mandela’s] ID earlier this year, is again at the forefront of trying to sell our house which is stupid because it belongs to the three boys and the larger family,” Ndaba said.
The Collen Mashawana Foundation on Thursday confirmed that power and water had been restored to the Mandela house after it was left abandoned, however, renovations have ceased to give the family time to settle the dispute.
“Houghton house will be open once this fight is over,” Ndaba said.
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The Citizen reached out to several members of the Mandela family who refused to comment on the matter of the house.
Some of them said it was a matter for the elders to talk about. There were also attempts to get a comment from Makaziwe.
Meanwhile, the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) appealed to the Mandela family to resolve the ownership dispute over the house.
“When it comes to restoring or renovating a heritage property, it is essential to make sure that the legal ownership of the property is confirmed and that the rightful owners have determined a clear use for the site,” the foundation’s David Fleminger said.
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Earlier this year, media reports suggested that the Mandela family was divided over the sale of Madiba’s personal items which were to be sold on auction in New York.
However, the sale was interdicted by the South African government and the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).
The items included Madiba’s ID book, earpieces, signature shirts and the key to his Robben Island prison cell.
Earlier this year, the Collen Mashawana Foundation and the Mandela family announced that the Mandela mansion would be accessible to the public by July 18.
Some of the features of the house would include a museum, a bookshop and a coffee shop.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation also said matters relating to the house were family matters.
This article will be updated when comments from Makaziwe and other members of the family are received.
