Mandla Mandela, grandson of former South African late president Nelson Mandela embraces Islam two months ago and married Rabia Clarke in a private Muslim ceremony at the weekend.
Influential Islamic leader Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels, who wedded the two, informed Anadolu Agency that Mandla embraced Islam two months ago. Mandla is currently the Xhosa traditional chief of Mvezo, Nelson Mandela’s birthplace, while Rabia Clarke is from a Muslim household in a Southern suburb of Cape Town.
speaking at his marriage Mandela announced late Sunday that, “I am honoured and delighted to announce my marriage to Rabia Clarke, in Cape Town, on 6 February 2016. I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Rabia’s parents, her extended family and the Muslim community, for welcoming me into their hearts.”
It is to be noted that Mandla has been married three times before embracing Islam.
Reacting to conversion of Mandla, South Africa provincial chairperson Chief Mwelo Nonkonyane on Tuesday said, “We are shock on the news of his conversion. We were also very concerned. What we know is that the woman converts, not the man. That is our custom.”