Former South African president Nelson Mandela's 13-year-old great granddaughter was killed in a car crash on Friday after leaving a concert ahead of the World Cup kick off, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said.

Mandela, 91, is widely credited with helping South Africa win the World Cup bid in 2004 and South Africans have been hoping he might be able to attend the opening match despite his frail health.

Zenani Mandela, killed two days after her birthday, was one of Mandela's nine great-grandchildren.

"Zenani Mandela, 13, was traveling in a car returning from the World Cup Kick-Off Concert at Orlando Stadium when the accident occurred," a statement from the Foundation said.

"There was only one car involved and no one else was injured."

Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was in the car, the South African Press Association quoted police as saying. Police spokesman Noxolo Kweza said the driver had been arrested and police were investigating a case of culpable homicide.

The Mandela Foundation said the family had asked for privacy. Zenani was a grand-daughter of Zindzi Mandela, Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's daughter.-Reuters