The opening day of the World Cup was marred by the tragic death of Nelson Mandela's 13-year-old great granddaughter, Zenani, in an auto accident on Friday. Nelson Mandela was supposed to make an appearance at the tournament opener but had to cancel the programme after he received the sad news.

Zenani was returning home after attending the event's Thursday night kickoff concert at Soweto.

According to the police, Zenani died in the accident which involved her car only on a Johannesburg highway. The driver has been accused of drunken driving and might be charged with culpable homicide too.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement saying the former President would be unable to attend the opening ceremony of the tournament. Mandela's presence was supposed to be an emotional high point in one of South Africa's proudest days.

Mandela's triumphs and tragedies go hand in hand and are well known to his countrymen. His oldest child, Thembikele, died in a car accident in 1969. His second child, Makaziwe, died after living only nine months. His third child, Makgatho, died of an AIDS related illness.