South African and happily married – that should be the goal. The way I see it, your spouse’s nationality is irrelevant. Unfortunately, that is not always the case in South Africa.
Whether marrying a fellow South African or a not, marrying for love is good for your heart.
1. Nelson Mandela (South African) and Graca Machel (Mozambican)
Our number one celebrity/leader has to be none other than the honourable Nelson Mandela who married the inspirational Graca Machel of Mozambique. He was South African and happily married to a Mozambiquan. Graca Machel was the former first lady of Mozambique & South Africa, and she is the first and only woman ever to become the first lady of two different countries.
These lovebirds got married in the year 1998 and had a picture-perfect marriage. Sadly, Nelson Mandela died in December 2013 leaving behind his beloved wife of 15 years.
“Mandela was a lonely man when I met him. We were both very lonely. We both wanted someone who’d understand… It just happened; I can’t explain it.” –Â Graca Machel
2. Tina Eboka (South African) and Fred Eboka (Nigerian)
The Ebokas might not be well known in the tabloids but this power couple is well known among business experts and the high profile elites.
Tina and Fred Eboka both studied in the USA in the 1990’s and they now live in South Africa. Tina is an influential leader in the South African business world and Fred is a prominent Nigerian fashion designer who dresses elite South African politicians.
Some of the positions held by Tina Eboka include Exco Director at Standard Bank, Executive Director–Textile Technology Division at CSIR, Senior Manager at Woolworths. Fred and Tina Eboka have proven that it is possible to work hard and still build a successful family.
As a South African who is happily married to a Nigerian, I say “marry whoever you want to marry so you can be merry”.
