Mandla Mandela is kind of a big deal, what with being the grandson of Madiba and also the chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council.

It’s no surprise then that his fourth wedding grabbed headlines across the country, especially because he was marrying a Muslim woman and had supposedly converted to Islam.

The problem here is that the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South African (Contralesa) aren’t all that happy about the switch, with Xolile Ndevu saying it is a problem. EWN with this:

Ndevu believes Chief Mandela cannot both lead the people of Mvezo and the Eastern Cape and be a Muslim at the same time.

“It means now he is no longer a chief of AbaThembu in Mvezo but becomes a Muslim because the Mvezo people are not Muslim.”

Here’s a bit from Mandla’s statements when announcing his wedding:

“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.”

He adds “Although Rabia and I were raised in different cultural and religious traditions, our coming together reflects what we have in common: We are South Africans.”

That last bit there is something we would do well to remember right across the board.

[sources:ewn&ewn]