Nelson Mandela’s Children Excavated and Reburied Without Permission

After President Obama’s visit to SouthAfrica, Nelson Mandela’s family members began fighting over the bodies of histhree children. Mandla, chief of the Mvezo area in South Africa and Mandela’sgrandson, had all three bodies excavated and reburied in his village whereNelson Mandela’s father was born. Mandla did not ask for permission he justwent and dug up the remains. As a result, Nelson Mandela has stated that hewishes to be buried next to his kids not in Qunu where the Mandela grave siteis and the bodies were removed from. The economic angle is that his birth andburial place will attract tourists and bring the village revenue long-term. Thehigh court near Qunu drafted a court order for the return of the bodies.    

See Robyn Dixon, Mandela Family Court Battle Over Graves, LA Times, June 14, 2013.