Johannesburg. Nelson Mandela is to miss the World Cup opening ceremony after the death of his great-granddaughter, Zenani, in a car crash, his office says, cited by BBC.
The 13-year-old died when the car taking her home from a Soweto concert on the eve of the World Cup overturned.
The car's driver has been arrested and charged with drink-driving, police say.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the tragedy made it inappropriate for the former president, who is 91, to attend the opening ceremony in Johannesburg.