Two women claim recognition from Mandela’s estate

Two new possible heirs to Nelson Mandela have written to the Executors of his Will seeking recognition as his daughters. One has even taken a DNA test in an effort to prove her claim. They are both contesting his Will which is worth roughly £3 million and allege Nelson Mandela had illicit affairs with their mothers whilst he was married.

The estate, in accordance with the Will, will be shared between his family, members of his staff, schools that he attended and the African National Congress (the movement that fought white rule and now governs South Africa). But the women’s lawyers have requested the Executors not to distribute Nelson Mandela’s estate in accordance with his Will for the time being.

Recognition, not money

Although the women have indicated that they do not want a share of the money and therefore will not be pursuing an inheritance act claim they want to be acknowledged as his daughters. The Nelson Mandela Foundation says Nelson Mandela had six children, and three died. Both women making a claim have not been mentioned in genealogy.

Michael Katz, a lawyer for the Executors, says “they made the claim that they are descendants of Madiba,” using Nelson Mandela’s clan name.

Contesting a will

If you have either been left out of a Will or not been left as much as you need, the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 exists to make further financial provision in cases where it has not been made for dependents and certain family members.

Therefore, if you are considering contesting a Will on the grounds that no reasonable financial provision has been left for you then you should seek legal advice as a matter of urgency. At Redress Law we specialise in contested Wills and probate and Inheritance Act disputes.