Nelson Mandela's 'lovechild' still trying to prove her claim

Johannesburg - A woman, who claims to be the lovechild of former president Nelson Mandela, is still trying to prove her claim and secure her "rightful" place in his family, The New Age reported.

Onica Mothoa, 66, said she would not give up her fight for recognition despite being disregarded by the Mandela children.

"I have tried everything - even took the bus to Cape Town. I have also tried going to the house where Madiba lived. They would not let me in," she was quoted as saying.

Mothoa's mother apparently met Mandela when she was a domestic worker in Pretoria. Her family "forced her" to go into hiding after she became pregnant.

Mothoa alleged Mandela had the affair while he was married to his first wife, Evelyn Mase.

Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela said Mothoa had not approached him for help.

"Maybe she has not been using the proper channels. If she says she was chased away from the family, who from the family chased her away?" he asked.

The former statesman died at his Houghton home in December at the age of 95.