Mandla Mandela yesterday hosted a traditional ceremony to introduce his new wife, Rabia Clarke, who is Muslim, to his Mvezo community.
On Saturday, the ritual called utsiki, where a sheep was slaughtered, was said to have been conducted by close amaDlomo family members to introduce his new wife to his ancestors.
No journalists were allowed anywhere near the venue at Mvezi Great Place.
Mandla, the Mvezo chief and a respected abaThembu senior traditional leader, recently married Clarke in Cape Town.
Some villagers walked to the Great Place while others from surrounding villages were transported in school buses with Mvezo Komkhulu branding.
AbaThembu of Mvezo and Clarke’s Muslim supporters wore traditional attire and some guests expressed joy at the union of the two cultures even though they said they knew nothing or little about Muslim culture.
“We are happy to welcome our new makoti, the mother of abaThembu of Mvezo. We celebrate our chief irrespective that his new wife is Muslim or what,” Nothobile Vangeli said.
At 1pm, people were heard ululating and cars hooting. A large crowd escorting Mandla and his wife could be seen from the distance moving from Mandla’s house to the royal hall.
AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s brother, Prince Mthandeni Dalindyebo, also attended.
With the exception of villagers, only guests with invitations were allowed through the gate.
Earlier, Methodist Church of Southern Africa members walking in the street at Qunu celebrating Palm Sunday, wished Mandla well in his marriage.
Mandla, before converting to Islam, was a devout Methodist.
“We wish the chief well and hope his marriage will be successful, unlike his two previous marriages,” Mqhekezweni senior church steward Themba Kolotla said.
Pakistan Association of South Africa executive member Maulana Thir Rafiz called the marriage a “sign that South Africa is a multi-religious country with people embracing and tolerating each other’s culture and religion”.
He hoped that a big mosque or Islamic centre would be established in Mvezo soon.
Papie Floyd Lapie, Mandla’s friend who frequently handles his media and communications, denied Mandla was holding his traditional wedding and introducing his new wife to the community of Mvezo and its ancestors. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Traditional welcome for Mandla’s new wife
Mandla Mandela yesterday hosted a traditional ceremony to introduce his new wife, Rabia Clarke, who is Muslim, to his Mvezo community.
On Saturday, the ritual called utsiki, where a sheep was slaughtered, was said to have been conducted by close amaDlomo family members to introduce his new wife to his ancestors.
No journalists were allowed anywhere near the venue at Mvezi Great Place.
Mandla, the Mvezo chief and a respected abaThembu senior traditional leader, recently married Clarke in Cape Town.
Some villagers walked to the Great Place while others from surrounding villages were transported in school buses with Mvezo Komkhulu branding.
AbaThembu of Mvezo and Clarke’s Muslim supporters wore traditional attire and some guests expressed joy at the union of the two cultures even though they said they knew nothing or little about Muslim culture.
“We are happy to welcome our new makoti, the mother of abaThembu of Mvezo. We celebrate our chief irrespective that his new wife is Muslim or what,” Nothobile Vangeli said.
At 1pm, people were heard ululating and cars hooting. A large crowd escorting Mandla and his wife could be seen from the distance moving from Mandla’s house to the royal hall.
AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s brother, Prince Mthandeni Dalindyebo, also attended.
With the exception of villagers, only guests with invitations were allowed through the gate.
Earlier, Methodist Church of Southern Africa members walking in the street at Qunu celebrating Palm Sunday, wished Mandla well in his marriage.
Mandla, before converting to Islam, was a devout Methodist.
“We wish the chief well and hope his marriage will be successful, unlike his two previous marriages,” Mqhekezweni senior church steward Themba Kolotla said.
Pakistan Association of South Africa executive member Maulana Thir Rafiz called the marriage a “sign that South Africa is a multi-religious country with people embracing and tolerating each other’s culture and religion”.
He hoped that a big mosque or Islamic centre would be established in Mvezo soon.
Papie Floyd Lapie, Mandla’s friend who frequently handles his media and communications, denied Mandla was holding his traditional wedding and introducing his new wife to the community of Mvezo and its ancestors. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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