Mandela to 'wed model'

23 April 2013 - 02:47 By SIYA BOYA
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Natasha Metto
Natasha Metto
Image: GLAMASPHERE MODEL MANAGEMENT

Despite being accused of bigamy, Mandla Mandela is apparently preparing to wed a Kenyan beauty queen.

The grandson of former president Nelson Mandela has apparently held a traditional ceremony, utsiki, which introduced Natasha Metto to the family.

During utsikia woman is introduced to a man's ancestors.

The ceremony usually comes after lobola negotiations have been completed.

The "groom" refused to comment, but Mandela family elder Napilisi Mandela yesterday confirmed the ceremony had taken place at the Mvezo Great Place.

"There was a ceremony for utsiki. I was there. The ceremony is for a woman to be married, for her to be introduced," Napilisi said.

Another senior family member also confirmed the ceremony had taken place, just before the Easter weekend, but said not everyone in the family was happy with the way Mandela was doing things.

"Many things are going on and they are dividing the family and eventually Tata Mandela's (Nelson Mandela) name is brought up," the man said.

Mandela is currently embroiled in a bitter divorce from Tando Mabunu-Mandela, whom he married in community of property in 2004.

Divorce proceedings started in 2009 and, in 2010, Mandela married French-speaking beauty Anais Grimaud.

Mabunu-Mandela got the court to nullify the marriage.

In 2011, Mandela married Mbalenhle Makhathini on Christmas Eve despite there being a court order interdicting the union.

Mabunu-Mandela again approached the court, this time having her husband charged with bigamy.

Mandela and Mabunu-Mandela have been at loggerheads over ownership of assets - a matter preventing the divorce from being finalised.

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