www.zazzle.com/nelsonmandelaThursday 26 December 2013
Royal Family Back's Nelson Mandela' wife Graca Machel
The royal family to which Nelson Mandela belonged has called on his family not to intimidate or undermine his widow Graca Machel.
It follows unconfirmed reports that some members of the Mandela family want Mrs Machel to leave the home she had shared with him in Johannesburg.
Mrs Machel should not be subjected to abusive language or threats, the AbaThembu royal family spokesman said.
Mr Mandela, South Africa's first black president, died on 5 December.
He was buried on 15 December at his village, Qunu, in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.
Mr Mandela was revered across the world for his role in fighting white minority rule, and promoting reconciliation after becoming president in 1994.
He spent 27 years in prison, before being released in 1990.
While Mr Mandela was seriously ill earlier this year, some of his children and grandchildren became embroiled in disputes for control of his legacy and estate.
On Sunday, South Africa's City Press newspaper reported that Mrs Machel, 68, had endured rejection and abuse from her husband's family for the past six months.
It said it had learned from six sources inside and outside the Mandela household that Mrs Machel had been told to leave the house in Johannesburg's upmarket Houghton suburb as soon as Mr Mandela died.
'Mischievous'
In a statement on Tuesday, AbaThembu royal family spokesman Daludumo Mtirara said that Mrs Machel was currently in mourning and should be shown respect.
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