Nelson Mandela had the unique ability to engage both sides of a conflict – he spoke to leaders from China and Tibet, the USA and Cuba, Palestinians and Israelis.
By ROLENE MARKSUpdated: NOVEMBER 26, 2018 15:04Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, speaks to reporters in South Africa(photo credit: SIEGFRIED MODOLA/REUTERS)THE MANDELA name is iconic. The very mention of the name evokes respect, inspires recognition and invokes a sense of awe. South Africa’s most famous son, Nelson Mandela, left a dignified legacy as a champion of human rights and warrior for equality.Nelson Mandela had the unique ability to engage both sides of a conflict – he spoke to leaders from China and Tibet, the USA and Cuba, Palestinians and Israelis.Brand Mandela is universal and inclusive, conciliatory and noble.Nelson Mandela’s stance on the Israeli- Palestinian conflict was well known.In the spirit of constructive discourse, he engaged the late PLO leader Yasser Arafat and supported the national aspirations of Palestinians, stating that “we cannot be free until the Palestinians are free” as well as famously stating that he “could not conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states did not recognize Israel within secure borders”.Mandela’s grandson, Mandla, is not continuing the tradition of that legacy; instead he has become a polarizing figure in South Africa, preferring instead to import dissent and division into the country.Mandla Mandela is a frequent flier in the news headlines and courts controversy wherever he can find it. He had a famous fallout with his family over his moving his late grandfather’s remains from their peaceful resting place. This was done without consulting the family and played out in the headlines and courts of law. The family laid criminal charges of tampering with a grave and South African High Court Judge, Judge Lusindiso Phakade, ruled in favour of the complainants and ordered Mandela to exhume and rebury the body.Mandla Mandela stared down the long arm of the law yet again when he was charged with pointing a firearm and assaulting a man. He was found guilty of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.Mandela’s private life also has its fair share of scandals and drama. Tales of annulment and affairs, blazing arguments and paternity suits abound and after converting to Islam, Mandela married his fourth wife.But it is his recent political activity that is causing concern.While his grandfather was a symbol of peace and reconciliation, the younger Mandela has aligned himself with a movement that is at once, anti-dialogue and normalization, anti-peace and flagrantly anti-Semitic - BDS. Often viewed at the epicenter of BDS, South Africa is of great strategic importance and the younger Mandela has become a willing front man.BDS are well aware of the power of “Brand Mandela” and trot him out in order to gain legitimacy. Mandla Mandela is happy to be gaining headlines for something other than his unsavory exploits and this makes him seem relevant.Mandla Mandela has chosen to endorse slap-happy would-be terrorist teenagers like Ahed Tamimi who endorse violence.“Whether it is stabbings or suicide bombings or throwing stones, everyone must do his part and we must unite in order for our message to be heard that we want to liberate Palestine,” said Tamimi on a Facebook live transmission filmed by her mother.Mandela intends to award her for her “bravery, resistance and being a symbol of hope for millions.”Mandela has accused the State of Israel of practicing “the worst version of Apartheid”.He recently visited the region and did not engage with any Israeli leaders. Without proper evidence it would seem as though statements like these are useful when it comes to shoring up Muslim votes in areas where South Africa’s ruling ANC party may not enjoy much support.Instead of engaging in positive ways that South Africa can contribute to meaningful dialogue, Mandela is fanning the flames of hatred and divisiveness in a country where race relations are growing increasingly tense and anti-Semitism is rising. His grandfather recognized that Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people.Mandla Mandela steadily advocates for the breaking off of bilateral ties between Israel and South Africa. How is any of this helpful and supportive of peace? Instead it feeds into BDS’s destructive agenda.By inciting this kind of hatred and importing conflict into South Africa, Mandla Mandela is sowing dangerous division at a time when the country desperately needs unity.
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