Johannesburg - Graca Machel has waived the right to half of the estate of her husband, former president Nelson Mandela, acting Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke said on Tuesday.
“I confirm that Mrs Machel has formally and in writing accepted the benefits bequeathed to her in the last will and testament of former president Mr NR Mandela,” Moseneke said on behalf of the executors of the struggle icon's estate.
On February 3, Mandela's will was made public. It was first written in 2004 and last amended in 2008.
Machel took ownership of four properties the couple jointly owned in Mozambique.
She would also keep their vehicles, jewellery she received during the marriage, and all money in their bank accounts or invested with other financial institutions.
Machel and Mandela were married in community of property. She was his third wife.
Moseneke explained that when a couple was married in community of property they were entitled to 50 percent of the estate if one of the partner's died.
The provisional assessment of Mandela's estate was about R46 million.
Machel had been given 90 days to decide whether she would waive her right to half of the estate, Moseneke said at the time.
Mandela bequeathed R1.5 million to the NRM Family Trust, in his will that was read out in Johannesburg.
He also left royalties to the trust of which a percentage would be given to the African National Congress.
Mandela bequeathed R50,000 each to a number of personal staff, including Zelda la Grange, his former personal assistant.
Other beneficiaries listed in the will read out by Moseneke included his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He also left money to a number of schools and organisations.
Wits University, Qunu Secondary School, and Orlando West High School in Soweto were bequeathed R100,000.
Sapa