Mandla Mandela married Rabia Clarke in a Muslim ceremony. Picture: BENNY GOOL/ORYX MEDIA
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 to introduce the new wife to his ancestors.
Media were not allowed anywhere near the venue at Mvezi Great Place.
Some villagers walked to the Great Place while others from surrounding villages were transported in buses.
AbaThembu and Clarke’s Muslims guests wore their cultures’ traditional attire. The couple wore African attire.
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, attended.
Earlier, Methodist Church of Southern Africa members, who were walking in the street at Qunu celebrating Palm Sunday, wished Mandla well in his marriage.
Mandla, before converting to Islam, was a Methodist.
“We wish the chief well and hope that his marriage will be successful, unlike his two previous marriages which collapsed,” 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”.
Rafiz said: “Today we thank God that Mr Mandla [sic] has been given the gift of a wife.
“This [marriage] is like the clear message of peace that Mr Nelson Mandela was passing on to human beings.
“This is a very good message to the world as we want to create peace from east to west.
“This is very good message that is being sent out by Mr Mandla and his wife. They are breaking the bridge which holds that Indians are different to South Africans.”
Rafiz hoped a mosque or Islamic centre would be established soon in Mvezo.
Papie Floyd Lapie, Mandla’s friend who frequently handles his communications, told the media: “If you are not invited, please leave the space.”
He denied Mandla was holding his traditional wedding and introducing his new wife to the community of Mvezo and its ancestors.
“The chief is just hosting visitors as he normally does,” Lapie said.
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