{"id":43675,"date":"2016-09-17T14:26:58","date_gmt":"2016-09-17T13:26:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buzzsouthafrica.com\/?p=43675"},"modified":"2020-05-11T14:54:41","modified_gmt":"2020-05-11T13:54:41","slug":"mandla-mandela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buzzsouthafrica.com\/mandla-mandela\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Mandla Mandela: The Man Behind The Name"},"content":{"rendered":"
Not surprisingly, Mandla Mandela has made a name for himself in South Africa’s political arena. In fact, it was to be expected. If his name sounds familiar, that’s probably because he is Nelson Mandela’s grandson.<\/p>\n
Born in 1974, the Rhodes University graduate is the current chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council. He became chief in 2007 when\u00a0the tribe discussed choosing a member from the Mandela family. Initially, the\u00a0tribe\u00a0had intended for Nelson Mandela to reclaim his leadership but Nelson Mandela had given up his right to rule the tribe in order to combat the white rule in South Africa. When the clan turned to Nelson Mandela to reclaim his position as head of the clan, he suggested that Mandla assume the role.<\/p>\n
Mandla Mandela was only 32 years when he assumed the role as Chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council. Most of his duties are traditional, as expected. He is not only required to represent the tribe on political matters\u00a0but\u00a0to also settle quarrels among members of the tribe.<\/p>\n
In 2009, Mandla became an African National Congress (ANC) member of parliament.<\/p>\n
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Fun Fact:<\/strong> Mandla, whose birth name is Zwelivelile, initially wanted to become a DJ. However, his grandfather never vetoed the idea saying\u00a0“No Mandela will ever become [a DJ], you need to go out and find a career”\u00a0after asking what a DJ is.<\/p>\n Mandla, who is Nelson Mandela’s eldest heir, credits his grandfather for being the driving force behind him being the person he is today. Mandla first gained nationwide and international attention in 2007 when he became chief of the\u00a0Mvezo Traditional Council. Since then, both his political resolutions and personal life have attracted media attention.<\/p>\n The attention he garnered is perfectly understandable as everyone simply wanted to know the man the legendary Nelson Mandela chose to be his heir. Was he going to be controversial or subdued? Was he going to live up to expectations? Was he going to impress or disappoint? While so\u00a0many questions were asked, it\u00a0was to be expected – after all, the Mandela name is easily one of the most relevant names in South Africa.<\/p>\n