A South African Lion King cast member was left "baffled" by Meghan Markle's Mandela comment.
The Duchess of Sussex had recalled an interaction during a premiere of The Lion King in London back in 2019, saying one well-wisher told her that her marriage was celebrated as much as the freeing of Mandela.
In an interview with The Cut magazine, Meghan said a cast member pulled her aside and told her: "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."
Actor John Kani said he was left "baffled' the by comment - speculating Meghan Markle may have "misremembered" the conversation.
He told the Times : “I have never met Meghan Markle. This seems like something of a faux pas by her.
"I am the only South African member of the cast and I did not attend the premiere in London. It just may be a misremembering on her side.”
It comes after Grammy winner Lebohang Morake, who goes by the professional name is Lebo M, said he did indeed speak to Meghan and Harry during their 2019 visit.
But he said they spoke for "less than a minute" and claimed he did not recall discussing Mandela.
He said: "Indeed I was at The Lion King 2019 premier and met the Royals. I cannot comment on the matter as it was three years ago and I don’t remember details of that conversation which was less than a minute, except the royals were going to South Africa or Botswana.
"I’m the only South African directly associated with both The Lion King films and the Broadway productions."
When asked if Meghan's current issues discussed in her interview with The Cut resonated much with the South African people, Grammy award winner Mr Morake said he doubted whether they had much significance to the people of his country.
He added: "As a South African, I’m not sure if this is important to most of us facing serious domestic issues. I’d like to not be dragged into this issue from three years ago either way."
Nelson Mandela’s grandson also dismissed Meghan Markle’s claims that her wedding was celebrated like his grandfather’s liberation - saying marrying Prince Harry did not "equate" to Mandela's work.
Zwelivelile ‘Mandla’ Mandela, a member of South Africa’s parliament, said he was “surprised” by her remarks: "Madiba's celebration was based on overcoming 350 years of colonialism with 60 years of a brutal apartheid regime in South Africa.
"So it cannot be equated to as the same.”
The African National Congress MP added: “We are still bearing scars of the past. But they were (Mr Mandela's celebrations) a product of the majority of our people being brought out onto the streets to exercise the right of voting for the first time.”
