Madiba 'betrayed' at funeral

The ANC leadership has been labelled "insensitive" and "uncaring" after party bosses failed to attend the funeral of Nelson Mandela's sister, Nosithile Bulehluthi.

Mfundo Mtirara, a representative of the Mandela and Bulehluthi families, launched a stinging attack on the ANC after its regional, provincial and national leadership snubbed the funeral in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.

"This shows that people you call your comrades associate with you only during joy and only when there is fame," he said.

"We all love the ANC and will never abandon it, but sometimes it embarrasses us," said the visibly angry Mtirara during the low-profile funeral attended by hundreds of mourners, including Madiba's wife, Graca Machel.

Also at the funeral was Mandela residence manager Meme Kragara, Mandla Mandela, his two wives, Nobubele and Nodiyala, his mother, Nolusapho Mandela, and Mandela elders.

Mtirara said Madiba had not been imprisoned for his own selfish needs but for the activities of the ANC as an organisation and the liberation of South Africa.

"But, today, the ANC leadership is not here at the time when [we] needed to cry with Dalibhunga's family and bury his sister - his last sibling to be buried.

"I am upset as I have personally phoned [ANC leaders about the funeral]," said Mtirara, an ANC councillor in the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality.

He said Mandela had wanted to attend the funeral but was restricted by health concerns.

"People have been asking us as a family why the ANC snubbed the funeral of Dalibhunga's sister. We are very disappointed and feel betrayed by the ANC," he said.

If people were not comfortable with the behaviour of Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, they should not make it the problem of Madiba, Mtirara said.

He thanked OR Tambo district municipality mayor Dingaan Myolwa, King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality mayor Nonkoliso Ngqongwa, National Heritage Council CEO Sonwabile Mancotywa and Mahlubandile Qwase, of the premier's office, for attending.

There was reportedly a misunderstanding between the Mandela and Bulehluthi families about the funeral arrangements and venue. Some had wanted the service to be held at Mandela's Qunu home, but others wanted the entire funeral to be held at Kubomvu, Mthatha.

Mandla Mandela publicly apologised to the Bulehluthi family for the behaviour of some Mandela family members, whom he said had tried to dictate the arrangements.

Bulehluthi was Mandela's younger sister, borne by Nodayimani, one of the four wives of Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, Madiba's father.

Her funeral coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the day Mandela was released from prison. She died on January 28.

Mandla said Madiba was distraught about the death of his sister, to whom he was close.