It seems that working for Madiba was more than just a soul-enriching experience, because the former president made sure to look after those closest to him in his final will and testament.

Among those who benefited financially were his long-time driver, three other members of staff and the educational institutions he attended.

Here’s the Mail & Guardian:

A total of R22-million of former president and struggle icon Nelson Mandela’s estate has been distributed to beneficiaries he had listed in his will…

At the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, north of Johannesburg on Friday morning, recently retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke and advocate George Bizos said they had acted in accordance with what Mandela had requested…

One of the beneficiaries on Friday was Mandela’s long-time driver Michael Maponya.

He said he was happy that the icon had considered him and left something behind for him, but that nothing could compare with the time he had actually spent with him.

“What actually makes me happy is that I worked with Mandela for 22 years. I drove him around from 1990 until he died. He treated me very well and respected me a lot. He also changed my life in a very big way.”

Maponya had been working for entrepreneur and businessman Richard Maponya before working for Madiba.

“When he arrived in Lanseria, along with Maponya, we went to go and fetch him. Then I was asked to work with him for a few months. I worked with him for a month, and he said to me ‘Please, I want to work with you’ and that made me extremely happy.”

Maponya said working with Mandela gave him the opportunity to see the world, which he otherwise may not have.

“I miss him a lot,” he said.

We feel you Michael Maponya, I think we all miss Madiba more and more with each passing day.

[source:mg]

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