Clive Myrie reflects on ‘poignant moment’ meeting Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter in his new BBC show
Clive Myrie has looked back at the "incredible" yet "poignant moment" meeting Nelseon Mandela's granddaughter during his upcoming BBC travelogue Clive Myrie's African Adventure.
Clive Myrie has reflected on the “poignant moment” he met Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter during his new BBC show.
Clive Myrie’s African Adventure follows the 61-year-old journalist as he travels across the continent exploring the rich culture and history Africa has to offer, and Clive has now looked back at the “incredible” opportunity he had to speak with Mandela’s granddaughter.
During an interview with the BBC, Clive - who previously served as the broadcaster's North Africa Correspondent - said: “Meeting Ndileka Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, was a poignant moment because I covered the funeral of her grandfather. I flew over for that incredible 10 days of mourning.
“South Africa buried its founding father as a black majority nation. So it was incredible to chat with her and to meet her and to meet her in the company of my old BBC colleague Milton [Nkosi] as well, who's a good friend. That was a fantastic experience.”
Clive teased some of his other “incredible highlights” from the upcoming travelogue, including the “vibrant” art culture in Nigeria and surfing in Cape Town.
He said: “There is a vibrant art scene in Nigeria which was just stunning to behold. I went surfing in Cape Town with a group of people who take street children off the streets, teach them to surf and to become lifeguards. I mean, it's just a wonderful, wonderful thing that they that they do.”
Clive also tried his hand at car spinning - which involves stunt drivers spinning around while sometimes hanging out of the car.
He explained: “Another thing I did which I wouldn’t have ever expected was trying out a new craze - car spinning - you’ll see my face but it was fast!
“I met so many strong, incredible women in the series, I went on a motorcycle ride with all female motorcycle gang in Morocco – that was so much fun, they were just so welcoming and warm and open.”
Reflecting on what he wanted viewers to take away from Clive Myrie’s African Adventure, the journalist said he hoped people would find Africans to be “multi-dimensional, just like everybody else”.
He added: “They're not just waifs and strays on some migrant boat. They're not just victims of rapacious capitalism, whether it's digging for oil or minerals or whatever, and being left out of the riches of that.
“They're not just victims of tyrants or natural disasters, they have wants and feelings and ideas and creativity as much as anyone.
“And I hope that people understand that when they when they watch the series, and they see that it's a vibrant Continent with so much to offer beyond the usual stuff that's represented in the media.
“I really hope that viewers enjoy watching my journey back to the place where I may originally have come from and exploring South Africa and Morocco. This is an incredible Continent in all its diversity and richness.”
Clive Myrie’s African Adventure will air on BBC Two on 26 January 2026, and will be available on BBC iPlayer.
