Even as his body slowly buckles under the weight of 90 years and his radiant smile is captured less and less frequently on camera, Nelson Mandela is still the go-to guy for hope and inspiration. An embodiment of all that is good about South Africa, Madiba is more than a legendary freedom fighter and a great statesman — he represents a dream that all South Africans can believe in.

It is for this reason that we cling so desperately not only to his legacy, but to his physical presence. But, cling as we may, even the collective will of 46 million South Africans cannot stop the inevitable progression of time. There will come a time when we, as a nation, need to face a Mandela-less future.

Then again, perhaps not.

The emergence of Nkosi Mandla Mandela in the political arena has sparked both hope and uncertainty. Will the grandson of South Africa's greatest son follow in his forbearer's gargantuan footsteps, or will he tarnish the Mandela legacy?

As Mandela's oldest grandson, Mandla Mandela has a lot working in his favour. Over and above the all-important biological link and proximity to the great man, the Rhodes-educated Mandla has Madiba's endorsement.

The Mandela chieftaincy

After his father was stripped of the abaThembu chieftaincy in the early 1900s for opposing the colonial government, Nelson Mandela eschewed the role in favour of moving to the city and fighting for national freedom. In 2007, some 70 years later, the Xhosa authorities decided to resurrect the chieftaincy.

Although the role as Chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council was originally intended for Mandela, the retired president suggested that the chieftaincy should go to his grandson Mandla, whose father Makgatho Mandela had died of Aids two years previously.

At the age of 32, Nkosi Mandla Mandela became the traditional leader of 260 000 people in the Eastern Cape. At his inauguration he was given the name Zwelivelile, which means, perhaps tellingly, 'The Nation has Appeared'. In this traditional role the younger Mandela is expected to act as a community spokesperson, reside over local ceremonies and resolve disputes.

Since he took on the chieftaincy, Zwelivelile has helped set up a mobile clinic for the people of Mvezo and taken an active role in persuading villagers to get tested for HIV/Aids.

By taking on the traditional role, Zwelivelile has also become the spokesperson for the Mandela family.

Taking on the Mandela legacy

QUICK FACTS
Born	21 June 1974
Parents	Makgatho Mandela and René Mandela
Spouse	Thando Mabunu
Education	Political science degree from Rhodes University
Leadership role	Chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council
Business interests	Chairman of MK Freight, a shipping company which he co-owns with Juan Luis Cabral, which ships to 36 destinations in Africa and five in Europe. Involved with the SA Football Association and the PSL where he represents the Mandela family in the Mandela Peace Challenge.
Controversy	Plans to sue the SA Roadlink bus company boss Allen Reddy for using his name as a front for the company. Accused of failing to pay out money in terms of a shareholders' agreement, after he resigned as a director of Naledi Rail Engineering. Claims were made in the Sunday World that he abused his wife and was facing divorce following his decision to take a second wife. Mandla Mandela refuted the allegations.

It is not surprising, therefore, that it is Mandla Mandela who stands next to his grandfather at an ANC rally, proclaiming: "We are here to dispel any notion by anybody, anywhere, who thinks that anybody within the Mandela family, particularly Nelson, were not supporting the ANC."

It is not surprising that he has clashed with the Nelson Mandela Foundation over who has rights to the Mandela legacy. And it is not surprising that the ANC has given him a 'safe seat' on their parliamentary lists, almost guaranteeing him a position in parliament.

What is, for some, a little surprising is Mandla's support for Jacob Zuma. Why would a leader from the heartland of Thabo Mbeki territory, the grandson of a man beyond moral reproach, back such an obviously flawed leader? And a Zulu at that.

"Zuma has won the hearts and minds of grassroots rural people who feel that it's 15 years into our democracy and we still haven't seen what freedom really means. People's hope is that he will change things. I admire him for what he has done for people in rural areas. We were feeling that we had been abandoned by our leaders. With Zuma in power he will change the focus to rural development."

And as the leader of 260 000 rural people, this is perhaps not such a bad decision. He is correct in his belief that many people have not seen what freedom really means. He is also correct in his assessment that Zuma has won the hearts and minds of grassroots rural people. Whether or not his faith will be rewarded with positive action is another matter entirely.

In fact, it is almost incidental.

For, who else could Mandla Mandela have backed? Nelson Mandela and the ANC are so inextricably connected that as a representative of the Mandela family, Mandla could only have backed the ANC candidate. And the ANC candidate just so happens to be a man who claims to have the interests of rural South Africa at heart.

Unfortunately, as the rise of Jacob Zuma has demonstrated, moral fibre has very little to do with political success. If Mandla Mandela hopes to emulate his grandfather, he will not only need to do great things, he will also need to get his foot in the political game. And doing so with Nelson Mandela's sanction on the back of a leader whose populism defies reason, suggests that his family's political history has left its mark on the towering young leader.

Now, we wait, with bated breath, to see what he does with it.

"There won't be another Nelson Mandela," said Mandla. "My grandfather has astounding achievements and has created a huge legacy for the Mandelas. We strive to hold onto a small piece of that, to do something to honour him, be it building hospitals, schools or clinics."

Hospitals, schools and clinics are good, but the best way for Mandla Mandela to honour his grandfather would be to give South Africans, all South Africans, something to believe in.

Do you think Mandla Mandela will bring something new to SA politics? Or will it be more of the same? Share your thoughts below...