Johannesburg - Nelson Mandela's eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, is ignorant of her family's history, Chief Daludumo Mtirara, spokesman of the AbaThembu Royal House, told The New Age.
“It would be inappropriate if the royal family does not tell her that she must ask herself who Mandela is,” he was quoted as saying in a report on Monday.
“Having realised that she is not up to date with her family, culture, customs and traditions because of historical reasons, some of which we can understand, she needs to know that Mandela is the younger brother of King Mtirara, Nkosi Mnqanqeni, Nkosi Joyi and Nkosi Shweni.”
Mtirara was reacting to comments by Makaziwe in an interview with SABC last week.
She reportedly said: “We are told that there is a spokesperson called Daludumo Mtirara. Who appointed him? Who is Daludumo Mtirara in the Mandela family?”
Last month, Madiba's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela issued a statement saying Makaziwe and her sisters Zindiswa Mandela and Zenani Mandela should take over Madiba's family affairs. It made little mention of Madiba's grandson, Mandla Mandela, which angered the royal house.
Mtirara said the only person regarded as the heir of the Mandelas was Mandla.
Mandela died in December at the age of 95. - Sapa