Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, has reportedly been denied entry into the United Kingdom (UK) ahead of his planned speaking tour to support the Palestinian cause.
A former member of the South African Parliament and a vocal advocate for Palestine, Mandla was scheduled to participate in events across eight cities, including London, Edinburgh, and Brighton, as part of Black History Month.
However, he was forced to join the Sheffield event remotely after being informed that he needed a visa to enter the UK. The Sheffield Coalition for Palestinian Rights stated that UK officials initially told Mandla he would not require a visa due to holding a South African government passport. On October 7, however, he was informed that this information was incorrect. Despite efforts from senior figures in the African National Congress (ANC) to support his visa application, no visa was issued.
During the Sheffield event, Mandla expressed his disappointment, saying, “It seems there are forces intent on preventing me from meeting you directly in the UK.” He acknowledged facing criticism for his statements in support of Palestinian resistance and various groups involved in that struggle.
Mandla’s past remarks have stirred controversy, including his praise for the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, whom he referred to as “one of the great freedom fighters.” These statements have led to increased scrutiny from the UK Home Office regarding his visa status, with concerns raised about his viewpoints being perceived as overly supportive of extremist actions.
A spokesperson for the UK Home Office responded, stating, “The UK has robust protections in place to ensure that visas are only issued to those we wish to welcome into our country.”
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Despite facing this setback in the UK, Mandla is set to visit Dublin, Ireland, later this month, where the visa requirements for his visit have reportedly been waived. This situation underscores the challenges faced by activists advocating for controversial issues on an international stage, particularly when it comes to diplomatic relations and immigration policies. As the grandson of a global icon of freedom and justice, Mandla Mandela continues to navigate complex political landscapes while championing the Palestinian cause.
(Becky)
