Second Time Lucky

WHILE spring is in the air and South Africa is abuzz with news of the blossoming romance between President Nelson Mandela and former Mozambican first lady Graca Machel, religious leaders have urged 78-year-old Mandela and his 50-year-old lady love not to 'live in sin' and to tie the knot, setting an example to the youth.

바카라 웹사이트But Machel is unmoved. "I belong to Mozambique," she said in an interview last week. "I will always be the wife of Samora Machel, I like being called Mrs Machel. It's the only way I can keep my husband alive." (Samora Machel, one of Africa's most celebrated liberation leaders, was killed in a plane crash in October 1986.) "I can understand that Nelson, being head of state, would have to set a kind of example. But we have problems, both of us, and we have discussed this very thoroughly. We made a decision. We are not getting married." It's little wonder that the affair has raised many an eyebrow in conservative South Africa. Says Rabbi Isaac Richards, leader of Durban's Progressive Jewish Congregation: "I don't recommend their living together. But he's a grown man and must make his own decisions."

바카라 웹사이트Muslim leader Maulana Abdur Raoof Soofie, Imam of the Westville Mosque, agrees: "He should tie the knot." Adds Pranlal Lakhani, president of the South African Hindu Mahasabha: "The couple should set an example to the rest of the country and make their relationship legal." He suggests that during their private courtship they had done nothing to offend, but now that they have gone public, they should get married.

As for the public at large, John Berks, presenter on the popular Johannesburg-based station Radio 702, says he is thrilled that Mandela has found in Machel a 'strong' woman to lessen his many burdens, especially "after he has spent most of his time making the lives of others better". And TV talk-show host Felicia Mabuza-Suttle offers a domestic angle: "Even with all the maids in the world a man needs companionship and someone to care for him."

바카라 웹사이트On the streets people echo these sentiments. "What's age got to do with it? The man is in love," says a young schoolgirl. And most agree that Mandela is perhaps the most famous bachelor of them all—if not entirely the most eligible. According to many, 27 years behind bars was a long time and if Mandela feels it is about time he made up for his lost years, then so be it. "At least Graca is a hundred times better than his last one," is a pertly put sentiment, an obvious reference to his second wife, Winnie, whom he divorced early this year.

바카라 웹사이트 Graca Machel will spend two weeks of every month at the Houghton home of her new love. The couple, who had kept their romance quiet until now, say they will spend as much time as possible together, Mandela's spokesperson Parks Mankahlana confirms. Machel adds that she speaks to Mandela on the telephone twice a day.

Apart from the two weeks at Mandela's home, Machel will live in Mozambique. Close friends of the couple say Machel will not settle in Johannesburg because "at least half of her belongs to Mozambique and the women and children of Africa". Mozambican leaders and the Machel family have given their blessing to the relationship and the compromise arrangement.

바카라 웹사이트Speculation about the couple's relationship was fuelled during the President's official visit to France in July when the two were seen holding hands. He was seen visiting Machel at the home of South Africa's ambassador to France. Credence came when Mandela was seen kissing Machel at the wedding of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.

Mandela first met Machel in 1990 when he took over from Oliver Tambo as the godfather of her seven children. They met again at the University of the Western Cape in 1992 when Graca received an honorary doctorate there. Since Mandela divorced Winnie earlier this year, Graca has been a frequent visitor at the Mandela home. Machel is well liked by the staff and family at the Presidential residence and the couple have mixed discreetly at dinner parties amongst a select group of Mandela's friends. Machel's daughter, Jozina, too has been staying with Mandela in Cape Town.

바카라 웹사이트Winnie Mandela is said to be opposed to her former husband marrying Machel, arguing that it would have a disastrous effect on her two daughters, Zindzi and Zenani. Friends clarify, however, that this has not been a key factor in the couple's decision not to marry. But notwithstanding the couple's marital status, it's clear that Mandela has opened a new chapter in his chequered love life.