Nelson Mandela’s Grandson Reacts to Meghan Markle Comparing Her Wedding to His Father’s Release From Prison

usmagazine.com:

Sharing his thoughts. Nelson Mandela‘s grandson Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela reacted after Meghan Markle compared her wedding to his grandfather’s release from prison.“Madiba’s celebration was based on overcoming 350 years of colonialism with 60 years of a brutal apartheid regime in South Africa,” the politician, 48, told MailOnline on Tuesday, August 30, adding that he was “surprised” by the Suits alum’s comments. “So, it cannot be equated to as the same.”In her recent cover interview for New York magazine’s The Cut, the Duchess of Sussex, 41, shared a story about how a South African cast member from the live-action version of The Lion King told her how much her marriage to Prince Harry meant to him and his countrymen.“He looked at me, and he’s just, like, light,” the Bench author recalled. “He said, ‘I just need you to know: When you married into this family, we rejoiced in the streets the same we did when Mandela was freed from prison.’”The author of the piece — published on Monday, August 29 — added: “Of course, [Meghan] knows she’s no Mandela, but perhaps even telling me this story is a mode of defense, because if you are a symbol for all that is good and charitable, how can anybody find you objectionable, how can anybody hate you?”The former South African president served 27 years in prison for his opposition to the country’s apartheid system.

When he was finally freed in 1990, his release was broadcast around the world. He went on to serve as the nation’s first president from 1994 to 1999.

The iconic leader died in December 2013 at age 95.Mandla, for his part, added that his grandfather’s release “can never be compared to the celebration of someone’s wedding,” noting that any celebrations happening in the streets