WATCH: Lightning destroys Mvezo Welcome Centre
The Mvezo Welcome Centre was completely destroyed when its thatched roof caught on fire after it was struck by lightning on Saturday.
The Eastern Cape has been battered by torrential rain and heavy storms over the past week.
The centre is supposed to be an initial point of contact for visitors to the area - the birthplace of late president Nelson Mandela.
"The National Lottery funded the construction of the centre and a total of R17 million was committed of which R10 million was already spent," says spokesperson for the Royal House of Mandela, Nkosi Zwelivelile.
"It is regrettable that we have lost this infrastructure, which was at an advanced stage of construction and R10m was spent on the first phase and the lightning mast poles were not installed yet.
"We assure the local community and our development partner that no sabotage was involved and that the cause was beyond anyone's control."
Mandela's granddaughter Ndileka Mandela shared footage of the destroyed building on her Facebook page.
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