Mandla Mandela’s Conversion To Islam Sparks South Africa ‘Disquiet’

Traditional leaders in South Africa have expressed “disquiet” over chief Mandla Mandela’s conversion to Islam.

The Congress of Traditional Leaders in South Africa (Contralesa) told the BBC that being Muslim could affect his ability to uphold Xhosa traditions.

Mandla Mandela, who converted to Islam late last year, got married in a Cape Town mosque last week.

He inherited his position as chief of Mvezo in the AbaThembu clan from his grandfather, Nelson Mandela.

Contralesa’s spokesperson Chief Mwelo Nonkonyane said Mr Mandela’s new religious affiliation could present a conflict for his subjects.

“There is nothing wrong with a traditional leader following any faith he chooses but we are concerned about whether he will be able to continue performing his responsibilities as a chief,” he said.

Traditional leaders are at times called upon to lead thanksgiving rituals for ancestors, which would include presenting slaughtered animals to them in prayer, says the BBC’s Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg.

Such ritual offerings, which are a key part of traditional ceremonies, are not considered to be in line with the beliefs of many Muslims, our correspondent says.

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Mr Nonkonyane says the 42-year-old had already gone against traditional by assuming his wife’s culture.

“According to African tradition, it is the woman that must become part of the family she is marrying into. When she accepted Mandla’s proposal, the expectation was for her to adopt the ways of his people,” he said.

He married Rabia Clarke, his fourth marriage, in a ceremony that was not attended by members of the royal family, leading to reports they were not happy with the union.

But Mr Mandela seems content with his decision.
“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,” he is quoted as saying at the ceremony.

Mr Mandela is also an MP with the governing African National Congress.

-bbc