Nelson Mandela will not attend opening ceremony after his great granddaughter was killed on the eve of South Africa 2010 Tragedy struck Nelson Mandela's family on the eve of South Africa 2010 with the former president's great granddaughter killed in a car accident in Johannesburg. Zenani Mandela, 13, was returning from the World Cup kick off concert at Orlando Stadium, when the car she was travelling in was involved in a single vehicle accident. No-one else was injured in the car, which also contained Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. The driver is being held by police on suspicion of culpable homicide. Zenani, the granddaughter of Zindzi Mandela, had celebrated her 13th birthday on Wednesday. Her death is a sad reminder of the dangers on the roads in South Africa, which has one of the highest rates of road deaths in the world. It was later confirmed Nelson Mandela, now 91, would not attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup at Soccer City on Friday. "Mr Nelson Mandela this morning learned of the tragic death in an accident of his great granddaughter," said a statement from the Nelson Mandela Foundation. "It would therefore be inappropriate for him to personally attend the FIFA World Cup opening celebrations. "We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy. "We continue to believe that the World Cup is a momentous and historic occasion for South Africa and the continent and we are certain it will be a huge success. "Madiba (Mandela's clan name) will be there with you in spirit today."