Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has sent his condolences to the Mandela family in the Eastern Cape following news of the death of former President Nelson Mandela's younger sister, Makhulu Nothusile Bhulehluthi Mandela, on Saturday night.
Makhulu Bhulehluthi was President Mandela's only surviving sibling, out of 31 children of the late Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela.
"On behalf of myself, the people and government of South Africa, I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to Madiba and the entire Mandela family at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this time of sorrow," said Zuma.
Her death comes hours after Madiba left Mthatha on Sunday for his Johannesburg home after spending six months in the Mandela compound in Qunu. It is understood that the compound is undergoing routine maintenance.
