Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, has been accused of betraying his people, customs and ancestors following his marriage to a Muslim woman at the weekend and his conversion to Islam.
Mandela married Rabia Clarke, a Muslim woman, in a quiet ceremony in Cape Town on Saturday. It was also revealed that he had adopted the Muslim faith three months ago.
However, Mandela’s newfound happiness may be short-lived as his estranged wife, Tando Mabunu-Mandela, is planning to have his latest marriage annulled.
Mabunu-Mandela’s lawyer Wesley Hayes yesterday said: “Our client has today become aware of the most recent unlawful marriage entered into by Mandla Mandela.
“This marriage is no different to his previous marriages which our client obtained court orders annulling both the marriage to French Reunion islander Anais Grimaud and more recently, Mbalenhle Makhathini.
“We are taking instructions to yet again approach the courts and annul Mandla’s latest marriage.”
Mandela also came in for criticism from traditional leaders and cultural experts yesterday saying they were shocked to hear of his conversion to Islam, given the fact he was a traditional leader.
Icamagu Institute director Dr Nokuzola Mndende said: “If it is true that he has converted to Islam he has betrayed his people, the ancestors and customs. He will face the wrath of his ancestors. He cannot claim to be the custodian of African customs.
“Although we speak of religious tolerance, marriage is beyond that and the Muslim faith and African religions have strong contradicting doctrines.”
Mndende said according to the Muslim faith, “nobody can marry someone who is not a Muslim”.
“Mandla’s move to marry a Muslim woman means he has abandoned his African customs,” Mndende said.
“As a Muslim you cannot perform African religion like slaughtering sacrificial oxen and goats, so Zwelivelile has abandoned his customs.
“He might as well step down as a traditional leader. A traditional leader is the custodian of the customs of his people and his nation. He has abandoned his own identity and surrendered himself to another cultural practice.”
Mndende said Mandla was surrendering to his new wife’s religious faith.
“The Muslim faith is based on Arabic culture and always perceived itself to be superior to African religion.”
Contralesa provincial chairman Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana said that he hoped Mandela’s wife would convert to his religion.
“It is shocking that a traditional leader can abandon his own religion and customs and surrender or convert to a woman’s religion.
“That is not something we would expect from a traditional leader. But we will still find out from him,” Nonkonyana said.
He also raised concerns over the wedding ceremony having taken place “far away from his great place” and said he hoped a traditional ceremony would happen at Mvezo.
President of the Muslim Council of South Africa Sheik Nceba Salamtu said Mandela did not have to change his name as many people who have converted to Islam, have done.
“I converted to Islam 32 years ago. I never changed and I am a sheik ,” Salamntu said.
He said Mandela could continue with his African customs and was still the head of the family.
“Mandla and his wife are fortunate that they are of the same religion, but different cultures. They can negotiate their cultures.
“But Mandla needs a wise man who can strictly advise him on the do’s and don’ts,” the Port Elizabeth-based Salamtu said.
“It can be tricky and tough that he is traditional leader. At times our religion can be hostile towards the African religion.”
Another Muslim leader, Moulana Adnaam Ebrahim, said Muslims did not worship their ancestors and also did not offer sacrifices to them, but rather to God.
Asked whether polygamy is permitted, he said: “Polygamy is in the Quran. If he does justice to all , and looks after them financially, I see no problem with that.”
Mandela is still legally married to Mabunu-Mandela as their divorce is not yet finalised. The two were married in 2004 in community of property and they have been fighting over the assets.
Mabunu-Mandela laid bigamy charges against Mandela while two other marriages of his have been annulled by the Mthatha High Court.
Mandla married his second wife, Anais Grimaud, in a traditional ceremony in 2010.
Three years later, he accused his younger brother, Mbuso Mandela, of getting her pregnant.
In 2011, he married for the third time to Mbali Makhathini – known among the AbaThembu as Nodiyala Mandela.
He still lives with her in Mvezo.
Efforts to contact Mandela yesterday for comment were unsuccessful. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za / abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Mandla has ‘betrayed people and ancestors’
Mandela married Rabia Clarke, a Muslim woman, in a quiet ceremony in Cape Town on Saturday. It was also revealed that he had adopted the Muslim faith three months ago.
However, Mandela’s newfound happiness may be short-lived as his estranged wife, Tando Mabunu-Mandela, is planning to have his latest marriage annulled.
Mabunu-Mandela’s lawyer Wesley Hayes yesterday said: “Our client has today become aware of the most recent unlawful marriage entered into by Mandla Mandela.
“This marriage is no different to his previous marriages which our client obtained court orders annulling both the marriage to French Reunion islander Anais Grimaud and more recently, Mbalenhle Makhathini.
“We are taking instructions to yet again approach the courts and annul Mandla’s latest marriage.”
Mandela also came in for criticism from traditional leaders and cultural experts yesterday saying they were shocked to hear of his conversion to Islam, given the fact he was a traditional leader.
Icamagu Institute director Dr Nokuzola Mndende said: “If it is true that he has converted to Islam he has betrayed his people, the ancestors and customs. He will face the wrath of his ancestors. He cannot claim to be the custodian of African customs.
“Although we speak of religious tolerance, marriage is beyond that and the Muslim faith and African religions have strong contradicting doctrines.”
Mndende said according to the Muslim faith, “nobody can marry someone who is not a Muslim”.
“Mandla’s move to marry a Muslim woman means he has abandoned his African customs,” Mndende said.
“As a Muslim you cannot perform African religion like slaughtering sacrificial oxen and goats, so Zwelivelile has abandoned his customs.
“He might as well step down as a traditional leader. A traditional leader is the custodian of the customs of his people and his nation. He has abandoned his own identity and surrendered himself to another cultural practice.”
Mndende said Mandla was surrendering to his new wife’s religious faith.
“The Muslim faith is based on Arabic culture and always perceived itself to be superior to African religion.”
Contralesa provincial chairman Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana said that he hoped Mandela’s wife would convert to his religion.
“It is shocking that a traditional leader can abandon his own religion and customs and surrender or convert to a woman’s religion.
“That is not something we would expect from a traditional leader. But we will still find out from him,” Nonkonyana said.
He also raised concerns over the wedding ceremony having taken place “far away from his great place” and said he hoped a traditional ceremony would happen at Mvezo.
President of the Muslim Council of South Africa Sheik Nceba Salamtu said Mandela did not have to change his name as many people who have converted to Islam, have done.
“I converted to Islam 32 years ago. I never changed and I am a sheik ,” Salamntu said.
He said Mandela could continue with his African customs and was still the head of the family.
“Mandla and his wife are fortunate that they are of the same religion, but different cultures. They can negotiate their cultures.
“But Mandla needs a wise man who can strictly advise him on the do’s and don’ts,” the Port Elizabeth-based Salamtu said.
“It can be tricky and tough that he is traditional leader. At times our religion can be hostile towards the African religion.”
Another Muslim leader, Moulana Adnaam Ebrahim, said Muslims did not worship their ancestors and also did not offer sacrifices to them, but rather to God.
Asked whether polygamy is permitted, he said: “Polygamy is in the Quran. If he does justice to all , and looks after them financially, I see no problem with that.”
Mandela is still legally married to Mabunu-Mandela as their divorce is not yet finalised. The two were married in 2004 in community of property and they have been fighting over the assets.
Mabunu-Mandela laid bigamy charges against Mandela while two other marriages of his have been annulled by the Mthatha High Court.
Mandla married his second wife, Anais Grimaud, in a traditional ceremony in 2010.
Three years later, he accused his younger brother, Mbuso Mandela, of getting her pregnant.
In 2011, he married for the third time to Mbali Makhathini – known among the AbaThembu as Nodiyala Mandela.
He still lives with her in Mvezo.
Efforts to contact Mandela yesterday for comment were unsuccessful. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za / abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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