Mandela’s Grandson Supports Extremism

What would late South African president Nelson Mandela think of his grandson, Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela’s, disgraceful support of violent extremism and Islamic terrorism?

While Nelson Mandela was sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, he also recognized the legitimacy of Zionism and the right for Israel to exist.

In August 1993, he is on record stating: “We insist on the right of the State of Israel to exist.” Mandela avowedly supported Zionism as a legitimate expression of Jewish nationalism. By recognizing the right of the Jewish state to exist in Israel, Mandela was a Zionist.

This is a far cry from his grandson, who has described Israel as “the worst Apartheid regime”. A statement that would have his grandfather turning in his grave, as Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for fighting a genuine Apartheid regime, which actively oppressed the black majority and segregated race-groups across the country.

Israel, on the other hand, is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the Middle East, with people of all races and religions living alongside one another and enjoying a liberal democracy that guarantees equal rights for all.

Accusations against Israel of being an Apartheid state are founded in malicious ignorance and propaganda. Equating the separation of Gaza and the West Bank to Israel to Apartheid would be like accusing India of practicing Apartheid due to the separation of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Mandla Mandela converted to Islam in 2016 and has become a vocal opponent of the Jewish state since then, joining a host of anti-Israel pundits that dominate South Africa’s government and civil society. Including the ex-foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, and non-profit Gift of the Givers. The latter of which helped build and run many of the hospitals in Gaza now proven to have been bases for Hamas. Including the Khuzah Clinic, located less than 3km away from Kibbutz Nir Oz. One of the hardest hit settlements during October 7^th.

Most recently, Mandla was spotted at the now deceased leader of Hezbollah, Nasrallah’s funeral on the 23^rd of February 2025 in Beirut, Lebanon. Nasrallah was a brutal terrorist leader who led Hezbollah’s occupation of Lebanon and its repeated terror attacks on civilians.

Mandla has also been seen associating with other terrorist leaders and sympathetic officials. Such as Ibrahim Al Moussawi, the Hezbollah spokesperson, and Khaled Quaddoumi, Hamas’ Iranian representative. He was also seen with the now deceased Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in 2024.

His efforts to attack Israel and associate with terrorist organizations is positively reciprocated. He is an executive member of the League of Parliamentarians for the Liberation of Al-Quds, an NGO dedicated to demonizing Israel and headed by Muslim Brotherhood associated Hamid Abdulla Al-Ahmar, who has been designated a funder of terrorism and is sanctioned by the United States government.

In 2022, Mandla was awarded the “Islamic Human Rights Award” by Iran, a country with an atrocious human rights record. At the Pan African Palestinian Solidarity Network, he blamed the Russian invasion of Ukraine on “neo-Nazis,” Israel and NATO.

Jackson Hinkle, the founder of the American Communist Party, and a vitriolic figure who uses his influence to promote pro-Russian, pro-Iranian and anti-Israel views, considers Mandla his “friend”, and defended him after Mandla was denied a visa to the UK in 2024, after repeatedly inciting violence, celebrating October 7^th, and showing public support for Hamas and Hezbollah.

Mandla repeatedly takes advantage of his grandfather’s good name to advance his cause – muddying Nelson Mandela’s legacy with calls for violence and the eradication of the Jewish state. He is clearly a supporter of global terrorist networks and helps enable their heinous acts through providing political capital and propaganda. This is while he neglects his duties as Chief of Mvezo, a poverty-stricken village in the Eastern Cape, and a salaried position.

The memory of Nelson Mandela should be that of peace and reconciliation. His grandson has demonstrated a complete disregard for these values, rather choosing extremism and hate. By aligning himself with terrorist organizations and using his grandfather’s name to further their violent cause, Mandla is not only tarnishing his grandfather’s legacy but betraying all those who fought for a peaceful society that chooses diplomacy and peace over brutality and violence.