Nelson Mandela’s widow, Graca Machel, has waived the right to half the estate of her late husband.

South Africa’s acting Chief Justice, Dikgang Moseneke, announced Machel’s decision on behalf of the executors of Mandela’s estate.

“I confirm that Mrs Machel has formally and in writing, accepted the benefits bequeathed to her in the last will and testament of former president Mr N.R. Mandela,” Moseneke said.

Machel took ownership of four properties the couple jointly-owned in Mozambique.

She would also keep their vehicles, jewellery she received during the marriage and all money in their bank accounts or invested with other financial institutions.

Machel married Mandela as his third wife, in “community of property” statute under the law.

Moseneke explained that when a couple is married in “community of property”, they are entitled to 50 percent of the estate if one of the partners’s died.

The provisional assessment of Mandela’s estate was about 46 million South African rand.

Machel was given 90 days to decide whether she would waive her right to half of the estate.

Mandela bequeathed 1.5 million rand to the family trust in his will that was read out in Johannesburg at his death.

He also left royalties to the trust of which a percentage would be given to the African National Congress.

Mandela also bequeathed 50,000 rand each to a number of personal staff, including Zelda la Grange, his former personal assistant.

Other beneficiaries listed in the will included his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as a number of schools and organisations.