Nelson Mandela’s eldest grandson, Mandla Mandela, married Rabia Clarke in a private Muslim ceremony at the weekend.
The union took place at the Kensington Mosque on Saturday followed by a reception at the 15 On Orange Hotel in Cape Town.
Mandla shared some pictures from his wedding on his social media page, captioned:
“Blessing from above. My wife and I.”
Mandela is a traditional chief in the Eastern Cape village of Mvezo where his grandfather was born.
Former Muslim Judicial Council president Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels officiated at the ceremony attended by family and friends.
Mandela made the announcement late Sunday afternoon. “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.
“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.”
Mandla Mandela,the grandson of Madiba embraced Islam and got married recently. The nikah was performed by Sh Ebrahim Gabriels.
We wish them the best and Pray Allah swt grant them a long and happy life. Ameen
This is hopefully fourth time lucky for Mandla.
He was previously married to Tando Mabuna-Mandela, who left him, claiming he was infertile.
His second wife, Frenchwoman Anaïs Grimaud, gave birth to a daughter, but in 2012 Mandla denied paternity, claiming Grimaud had cheated with his brother.
He then married Swazi princess Nodiyala Mbali Makhathini in 2011, but later filed for divorce.
-iol