Nelson Mandela's grandson RUBBISHES Meghan Markle's claim her wedding was celebrated like icon's freedom
Meghan Markle was slammed by Nelson Mandela's grandson after she suggested that her marriage to Prince Harry sparked a nationwide celebration in South Africa reminiscent of the 1990 release of the anti-apartheid activist after 27 years in jail.
Zwelivelile 'Mandla' Mandela said he was "surprised" at the Duchess of Sussex's remarks in The Cut magazine. Meghan claimed that three years ago, a cast member of the 'The Lion King' had compared her royal wedding to Nelson Mandela's historic walk to freedom. The former 'Suits' actress recalled an encounter she had at the 2019 London premiere of a live-action version of the Disney classic, claiming that an actor from South Africa told her, "I just need you to know: When you married into this family, we rejoiced in the streets the same we did when Mandela was freed from prison."
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However, the claims have reportedly astonished the Mandela family. 'Mandla' Mandela, an MP and Chief of the late South African President's Mvezo tribe, told the Daily Mail that he was "surprised" at her remarks about the celebrations marking the release of "Madiba" [Nelson Mandela's traditional Xhosa clan name]. "Madiba's celebration was based on overcoming 350 years of colonialism with 60 years of a brutal apartheid regime in South Africa. So It cannot be equated to as the same," he said.
"I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all."
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) February 11, 2022
On 11 February 1990, peace laureate Nelson Mandela was released from prison after being incarcerated for 27 years. Despite his long imprisonment, Mandela rejected hatred and instead embraced reconciliation. pic.twitter.com/hzfLtFClvV
Zwelivelile noted how his legendary grandfather served 27 years behind bars before being released and later re-united his opponents to ultimately lead his country. He said the nationwide celebrations in South Africa at his grandfather's release were for a far more serious occasion than Meghan tying the knot with "a white prince." The African National Congress MP added, "We are still bearing scars of the past. But they were (Mr. Mandela's celebrations) a product of the majority of our people being brought out onto the streets to exercise the right of voting for the first time."
Meghan's claim sparked considerable rage among critics, with many telling her to "get lost" over her display of "utmost disrespect" toward the country. The 41-year-old former actress reiterated the anecdote in another recent interview with a US magazine, but her claim has been refuted by many who said it was not their experience of what happened.
Meghan Markle has claimed she was compared to Nelson Mandela while visiting the cast of 'The Lion King' in London in 2019.#TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/j5xFFpgEYr
— The Project (@theprojecttv) August 30, 2022
Nonetheless, her unfounded story caused the hashtag #VoetsekMeghan to trend in South Africa. Voetsek is reportedly an Afrikaans word meaning 'go away' or 'get lost' and is a common slur in the country.
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Meghan drew the ire of South Africans right after her first 'Archetypes' Spotify podcast in which she described the mansion she was staying in during the royal tour of South Africa with Harry and Archie as a "housing unit." She had already caused a stir after telling the story of an apparent fire that broke out in her son Archie's room when she was out on a royal engagement in the country. The Duchess said that she was obliged to carry on with official engagements despite the incident and accused those managing the tour of focusing on "how it looks, instead of how it feels."