As the world mourns the loss of iconic leader Nelson Mandela, who many believe is the last man of his kind, the Christian community has shown an abundance of grief and have wished his soul a peaceful journey to heaven. But was Nelson Mandela a Christian?

One would presume he was a Christian, being that it was the leading religion in his country. According to the 2001 national census, Christians accounted for 79.8% of the South African population. This includes Zion Christian(11.1%), Pentecostal (Charismatic) (8.2%), Roman Catholic (7.1%), Methodist (6.8%), Dutch Reformed (Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk; 6.7%), Anglican (3.8%). Members of other Christian churches accounted for another 36% of the population. His close relationship with the Muslim community made many question whether or not he was committed to one religion. In March of 1992, the revolutionary leader visited Bo Kaap, a predominantly Muslim area in Cape Town. He was greeted by dignitaries of the community, including the late author and historian Achmat Davids, the late Sheikh Nazeem Mohammed, then President of the Muslim Judicial Council.

Exuding his relationship with the community, he sent a warm message to Muslims in 1993 during Eid. “I have always been particularly attached to the Muslim greeting – I thus greet you in the name of Peace,” he said. He prayed their “sacrifice and discipline during the fast will stand this nation in good stead.” Concluding his message, he said: “On behalf of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and its entire membership I wish you all Eid Mubarak and may you have a joyous day.” His embracement and encouragement of the Muslim community continued virtually throughout his life. At one point, he even gave credit to the continent of Africa for the religion, stating “Africa has made Islam its own, from the very beginning when the African Christian King Negus and Abyssinia gave protection to the followers of Prophet Muhammad. That example of respect and co-operation points to the role religion can play, and the spiritual leadership it can provide, in contributing to the social renewal on our continent,” he said as part of his speech. “Now that South Africa is free, the ties which the Islamic community has always had with other parts of our continent can flourish and enrich our nation without restraint or distortion. They are part of our common African heritage.” [Source]

Although he had a big heart for all religions, he grew up attending a Methodist church throughout his childhood and identified himself as a Christian into his adulthood and took his faith very seriously. This was shown when he refused to join the Communist Party, although he attended their events and parties, because its atheism conflicted with his Christian faith and because he saw the South African struggle as being racially based rather than class warfare. [Source]

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