Nelson Mandela’s grandson has slammed Meghan Markle for comparing herself to the late anti-apartheid leader who spent 27 years in jail.
In a recent interview, Markle claimed that her marriage to Prince Harry caused scenes of joy in South Africa similar to the 1990 release of Mandela.
Zwelivelile ‘Mandla’ Mandela has said he was “surprised” at Meghan’s comments about his grandfather in The Cut magazine interview.
Markle made the astounding claim that a cast member of the Lion King made the comparison between her royal wedding and Mandela’s freedom.
According to The Cut: “She recalls a moment from the 2019 London premiere of the live-action version of The Lion King. ‘I just had Archie. It was such a cruel chapter. I was scared to go out.’
“A cast member from South Africa pulled her aside. ‘He looked at me, and he’s just like light. He said, ‘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.’”
Nelson Mandela’s grandson Zwelivelile said: “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.”
Zwelivelile said when the people of South Africa danced in the streets after Nelson’s release it was for a more important and serious reason than Meghan marrying “a white prince.”
He added: “We are still bearing scars of the past. But they were a product of the majority of our people being brought out onto the streets to exercise the right of voting for the first time.”
Social media users were not happy.
“No one was rejoicing in the streets of South Africa when she got married,” one Twitter user said.
“For her to imply that it was the same as when President Mandela was released is the utmost disrespect.”
Another said:
“From South Africa, I can promise you 1 thing, nobody but nobody celebrated in the street as with when Mandela was released over a foreign state wedding, yes we watched at home happy for the couple, that was that.”
Another blasted Markle over the comparison:
“Comparing your marriage to Nelson Mandela being released?
“What a pompous & arrogant thing to say.”
Another said:
“Her arrogant and yet delusional comparison of herself to Mandela is yet another insult to South Africa.”
The Meghan Markle ‘Cut’ interview. I can’t work out if the writer is taking the piss out of her or not. These are the most hilarious bits. She’s soooo pompous. pic.twitter.com/8J4goPVee8
— Ginger Jones (@DDenouncement) August 29, 2022
