Mail & Guardian Reporters
He is said to have the whole world in his hands … but Nelson Mandela continues to be frustrated in realising the dream that appears closest to his heart: a walk down the aisle with Gra?a Machel as his bride.
In his first on-the-record interview dealing with his love affair with Samora Machel’s widow, Mandela said ruefully this week: ”She has made a clear statement that she will not marry the president of South Africa. I cannot overrule her.”
Graca’s refusal to contemplate marriage is believed to be due in part to pressure from the Machel family as well as Mozambique’s President Joachim Chissano. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is also believed to have objected to the idea of her ex-husband marrying again, on the grounds it would be psychologically damaging to her children.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times President Mandela said he plans to share his home for two weeks each month with Machel. She would also begin attending events and travelling with him. ”Anything is possible, save marriage,” he said.
The newspaper noted that Mandela is winding down his presidential role — quoting his spokesman, Parks Mankahlana, as saying the president would ”effectively stand down from politics” after he resigns the leadership of the African National Congress at its congress in December next year.
The passionate nature of the affair between the president and Mozambique’s former first lady was expressed by Machel in a radio interview this week. ”It’s just wonderful that after so much pain I have gone through — and I believe that is also from Nelson’s side — that finally we have found each other and can start to share a life together,” she said. ”It is just wonderful. There were times when I thought it couldn’t happen any more in my life.”