Tension ahead of Mandela meeting

abaThembu Royal House divided as half-brothers fight for leadership

AN urgent meeting called for later this month to discuss the appointment of a new head of the Mandela family could see Mandla Mandela competing with his half-brother Ndaba Mandela for the role.

The Mandela house has been beset by problems since former president Nelson Mandela died in December 2013, leaving it rudderless.

The three candidates expected to stand for the posi- tion are Mandela’s grandsons Mandla and Ndaba, and his eldest daughter, Makaziwe.

The matter has divided the abaThembu Royal House, with a faction in it in support of King Buyelkhaya Dalindyebo throwing the house’s weight behind Ndaba, and another faction – which is calling for Dalindyebo to step down as king – in support of Mandla being head of the Mandela house.

Those behind Ndaba have accused Mvezo chief Mandla of being responsible for the mess the Mandela house is in, saying he wanted to “divide the family for his own benefit”.

Royal family spokesman Daludumo Mtirara – who is part of the faction calling for Dalindyebo to step down – said the meeting would be held in Qunu. “The meeting that has been called will confirm who heads the family and will resolve to find a solution to preserve stability in the Mandela house,” he said.

Family insiders said another issue that would be discussed was the “embarrassing moment” last month when the family performed two cleansing ceremonies at Nelson Mandela’s Qunu home.

The firstizila ceremony was held on December 5 and was organised by Ndaba. The second was held on December 7 and was performed by Mandla.

Dalindyebo’s spokesman Mfundo Mtirara – who would not confirm if they would at- tend the meeting – said the problems in the Mandela family were of Mandla’s making and labelled his cousin Daludumo “Mandla’s puppet”.

“These people are used by Mandla to divide the family for his benefit; they are his puppets as this is Mandla’s idea. Mandla is behind this meeting. Daludumo is no spokesperson of the Mandela house, and if the family is calling a meeting they should send a person to tell us that,” Mfundo said.

Mandla Mandela said he would attend the meeting but “will not discuss family matters with the media”.

Some in the Mandela family believe that, according to tradition, Mandla should take the mantle of head the family as he is the oldest male heir in it.

Others believe his aunt Makaziwe Mandela-Amua, who took a leading role during preparations for Nelson Mandela’s funeral, should be the one to lead the family.

She enjoys the backing of Nelson Mandela’s former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who released a statement last year saying in accordance with customary law and tradition, Makaziwe should head the family and make decisions with the support of her two sisters. Contacted yesterday, Makaziwe declined to comment about the meeting.

In past months Ndaba Mandela – who enjoys the support of Dalindyebo – has been tak- ing a leading role in family matters at Qunu.

But Daludumo Mtirara said Ndaba had no status in the family. “There’s no way that Ndaba, a junior member of the family without any status in the Mandela house, can perform a significant ritual like izila without the blessing of [Nelson Mandela’s widow] Graça Machel, Chief Mandla, Makaziwe or Ndileka [Mandela],” he said.