DURBAN, South Africa — A night of celebration in South Africa kicked off with a concert in Soweto that featured Alicia keys, K’naan, The Parlotones, The Black Eyed Peas, Freshlyground, Shakira, and many more.
Throughout the country, an atmosphere of excitement reined.
There was a roar among the people when Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminded the nation on the eve of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that the country owes its thanks to the man who made it all possible, Nelson Mandela.
But for Mandela himself, the celebration was quickly muted.
South Africans woke to the news that his great granddaughter, Zenani Mandela, 13, died at the hands of a drunk driver on her way home from the concert.
Though the girl was not widely known, the hearts of all South Africans went out to Mandela and his family, who skipped the World Cup’s opening ceremony.
The prayers and thoughts of all South Africans — and people across the world — go out to the Mandela family.
Nicole Megan Gounder is a Reporter for Youth Journalism International.
