Graça, my dear, you can drive this car

Former president Nelson Mandela has given his wife, Graça Machel, a new set of wheels for her birthday.

Machel, who turns 65 today, will get the keys to an Audi Q7.

The Sunday Times has confirmed that the luxury SUV, which costs about R665000, was bought from a dealership in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Achmat Dangor, said Machel would spend her birthday with family.

Asked about the car, Dangor said: "The Nelson Mandela Foundation does not involve itself in Mr Mandela's private financial affairs. We do, however, appeal to the media to respect the privacy that he and his family deserve."

Mandela married Machel, his third wife, in July 1998. In 1995, she received the United Nations' Nansen Medal for humanitarian work, particularly on behalf of refugee children.