Mandla Mandela – the grandson of the late South African president Nelson Mandela – has reunited with his wife Rabia Clarke and their three children after he was “abducted” by Israeli forces off the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
The 51-year-old was part of a group of activists – including Sweden’s Greta Thunberg – on board the mission boat en route to deliver emergency supplies to the people of Gaza.
The group was detained and deported to their various countries.
MANDLA MANDELA: WHO IS HIS WIFE, RABIA CLARKE?
Earlier this week, Mandla Mandela’s emotional wife, Rabia Clarke, shared her concerns about her husband, who had been “abducted” by Israeli forces.
A short time later, the Israeli Embassy confirmed that the group of activists on board the GSF had been detained and would be deported to their respective countries.
A relieved Rabia told media outlets: “Hearing that my husband is finally coming home fills my heart with pure joy, tears of relief, love, and gratitude.
“I can’t wait to hold you again, my love; see you soon.”
Mandla and Rabia – who have a 20-year age difference – wed in 2016 in an Islamic ceremony in Cape Town. Mandla who is the tribal chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council, converted to Islam, and his bride was christened Nkosikazi Nosekeni.
According to reports, Rabia hails from the Cape Flats and is the daughter of a prominent businessman.
The couple are parents to three children; son Mntwanenkos and twins Ntanenkosi Rolihlahla Hakeem and their daughter Nkosazana Nonhlanhla Hannah.
FOURTH TIME’S THE CHARM?
Rabia Clarke is the fourth wife of Mandla Mandela.
The grandson of South Africa’s first democratic president married his first wife, Princess Tando or Princess Nodayimani, in 2004 in a civil and traditional ceremony.
The couple officially divorced in 2018.
During his marriage to Princess, Mandla Mandela took on a second wife, Anaïs Grimaud, from the island of Réunion. She was later known as Chieftess Nobubele. The couple wed in a traditional ceremony in 2010.
Mandla’s marriage to the French woman was shrouded in controversy after he accused his brother Mbuso of having an affair with his bride.
Mandla sensationally stated in a media report that Mbuso Mandela had impregnated his wife. According to Reuters, Mandla claimed in a live TV broadcast that his son was, in fact, the child of an illicit liaison between his brother Mbuso and his wife.
Mandla and Anaïs’s marriage was annulled.
In 2011, Mandla took on a third wife, Mbali Makhathini, also known as Chieftess Nodiyala Mandela. Their union ended in 2017.
