Mandla’s conversion to Islam slammed

Mvezo Chief Mandla Mandela has been criticised by traditional leaders for converting to Islam. Picture: Cindy Waxa

Mvezo Chief Mandla Mandela has been criticised by traditional leaders for converting to Islam. Picture: Cindy Waxa

Published Feb 10, 2016

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Johannesburg - The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) on Wednesday said it was disappointed that the late former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, had decided to convert to Islam while serving as a chief in Mvezo.

On Saturday Mandela exchanged vows with his fourth wife Rabia Clarke, a Muslim, at a private wedding in Cape Town. One hundred and 50 guests were invited to witness the wedding.

Mandela in a statement said: “I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Rabia’s parents, her extended family and the Muslim community, for welcoming me into their hearts”.

On Wednesday, Contralesa Eastern Cape Chairman Chief Mwelo Nokonyana declared that Mandela’s actions to change religions was not abiding by traditional laws.

“In the Xhosa tradition, a woman should be the one converting to the grooms religion not the other way round. This is even more serious if the man is a recognised as a chief in his community,” said Nokonyana.

The chief said the organisation has been trying to communicate with Mandela, but they had received no response from him.

Reports from Islamic media said Mandela converted to Islam in November 2015.

African News Agency

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