SPEAKING of marriage, South African religious leaders say they would fully support President Nelson Mandela if he chose to make Graca Machel the next first lady of South Africa.
While most religious leaders who spoke to the Mail & Guardian this week said they didn’t want to interfere with Mandela’s “democratic rights”, the general consensus was that “any adult relationship should be sanctified by wedding vows”.
Former Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu has already made clear his hope that the leading couple would tie the knot. This week he was joined by several other religious leaders.
Methodist Church Bishop Stanley Magoba said he didn’t “really think we can have a head of state in a relationship without marriage, but I don’t want to pressure them”.
Rhema Ministries Pastor Ray McCauley said he would “very much like to see [Mandela] remarry. He deserves some comfort and companionship in his golden years”.
Orthodox Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris agreed, but said it was all up to the president: “If he’s of a mind to, yes”.
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk spokesman Willie Botha said: “They are adult people, and it’s for them to decide. If they are having an adult relationship I would say get married. It’s not only a political issue, but also a personal one.”
South African Hindu Maha Sabha secretary Rugbeer Kalideen also left it up to the president: “As one of the great statesman, he has a right to marry if he chooses to do so. There’s nothing to stop him.”
Moulana Ahmed Kathrada of the Natal Jamiat Ul-Ulema said it was “their life”, but added that “if anybody is committing adultery it will be wrong whether it’s the president or someone else”.
Church of England Bishop Joe Bell agreed: “It’s a personal decision, but we would condemn pre-marital sex,” he said.