Visa Denial Hampers Mandla Mandela’s UK Speaking Tour

Chaos has erupted following the uncertainty surrounding Nelson Mandela‘s grandson’s nine-date speaking tour in the United Kingdom. Zwelivelile ‘Mandla’ Mandela, who was scheduled to deliver speeches at pro-Palestine events across eight UK cities, has reportedly cancelled his flight due to visa issues. The events were to take place in cities including Sheffield, Manchester, and Glasgow, with Mandela expected to speak alongside several Labour Members of Parliament.

Mandela, who was set to kick off the tour with an appearance in Sheffield, expressed frustration in a statement on Thursday, noting that “there are those who are intent on preventing me from being physically with you [in Britain].” He added, “The struggle against Apartheid and against colonisation cannot be stopped or silenced.”

While his entry into the UK remains in question, Mandela’s presence in Dublin, Ireland, is anticipated as the Irish government has waived his visa requirement. Despite originally being informed by British officials that his South African government passport did not necessitate a visa, Mandela learned of the requirement on Monday, according to the Sheffield Palestine Coalition against Israeli Apartheid.

The organisation stated, “So far, despite high-level approaches from senior ANC figures, the British embassy has not relented or issued a visa.” A Home Office spokesperson commented to Middle East Eye, “The UK has robust safeguards to ensure visas are only issued to those who we want to welcome to our country.”

The Home Office recently faced scrutiny over whether Mandela should be granted a visa due to his “inflammatory rhetoric.” A report quoted Andrew Fox, a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, as saying, “Mr Mandela has been quite open about his support of Hamas. He has also praised Hezbollah and has close links to the Iranian regime, whilst trading on his grandfather’s name.”

Mandela’s visit to the UK would have coincided with his statements of support for Palestinian resistance on the anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel. He declared support for “the Palestinian right to resist” and called for international community aid for “Hamas and the Palestinian resistance in fighting their oppressor.”

Comparatively, in a Dublin rally focused on apartheid parallels between South Africa and Palestine, Mandela plans to discuss practical support for Palestine. The event will feature other notable speakers and performers, drawing attention to the legacy of anti-apartheid movements.