Oti and Motsi Mabuse break down in tears as they hear about their grandfather’s life and learn they’re related to Nelson Mandela in DNA Journey show
Oti and Motsi Mabuse broke down in tears as they were finally told information about their grandfather following a DNA test.
The sisters took part in the show Oti and Motsi Mabuse’s DNA Journey in a bid to learn more about their family history.
The Strictly Come Dancing stars became emotional as they were given medals their grandfather received for his work in the armed forces and they also learned they are distantly related to Nelson Mandela.
In one heartwarming clip from the show, Oti and Motsi wipe away tears as a man gives them their grandfather’s family history.
Oti said: ‘It’s a good thing, it’s an amazing thing. Please don’t think we’re sad. One of the missing pieces that we’ve missed and needed to hear for so long, it’s a beautiful thing. We’re so grateful. These are tears of, “Oh my God!”‘
Emotional: Oti and Motsi Mabuse broke down in tears as they were finally told information about their grandfather following a DNA test
Overjoyed: The sisters took part in the show Oti and Motsi Mabuse’s DNA Journey in a bid to learn more about their family history, learning they are distantly related to Nelson Mandela
The man replied: ‘You’ve got a lot to be proud of and all the good deeds your grandfather has done.’
Motsi then read out some of the honours their grandfather received, saying: ‘Defence Medal British, war medal and an African Service medal.’
‘We had no idea we had war medals in the family,’ she added.
Oti added: ‘We’ve tried and everywhere we looked, there’s nothing. That’s why we have it in our own heads that there’s nothing in our family. You’ve completely flipped that on its head.’
Motsi said the pair couldn’t wait to give the information to their father, who they suspected wouldn’t know any of it either.
In another clip, the sisters spoke to a different man who had examined their DNA and discovered Nelson Mandela is a ‘genetic relative’ of theirs.
He said: ‘Your group, some quite special people belong to your group and are distant genetic relatives of yours.’
Motsi replied: ‘Don’t say Nelson Mandela.’
History: In one heartwarming clip from the show, Oti and Motsi wipe away tears as a man gives them their grandfather’s family history
Oti said: ‘It’s a good thing, it’s an amazing thing. Please don’t think we’re sad. One of the missing pieces that we’ve missed and needed to hear for so long, it’s a beautiful thing. We’re so grateful. These are tears of, “Oh my God!”‘
The man confirms it was Nelson Mandela, prompting Oti and Motsi to jump up and down with delight as he added: ‘And Archbishop Desmond Tutu, both of them.’
In another clip, Oti and Motsi appear to discover they are also related to a royal family.
They speak to a young woman over Zoom who tells them: ‘I have this really exciting nugget of information. My great grandma was a direct descendant of royalty. Her name is Princess Hermina.’
Watch Oti and Motsi Mabuse’s DNA Journey on Tuesday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
