NMF hits back at Trump over ‘racist rant’ aimed at Mandela
The Nelson Mandela Foundation has jumped to the defence of the late former president amid claims that he was the target of a “racist rant” by US President Donald Trump.
This comes after Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen outlined alleged incidents of racism in a new book – including his thoughts on South Africa and struggle icon Nelson Mandela.
According to the reports, Cohen’s tell-all memoir alleges that Trump made numerous racist remarks directed at several black leaders, including Mandela and his predecessor Barack Obama.
The foundation’s CEO Sello Hatang says if true, Trump’s comments are unfortunate.
“The Nelson Mandela Foundation has noted the statements attributed to the US President Donald Trump about African leaders in general and Nelson Mandela in particular, in a book by Michael Cohen titled ‘Disloyal’.
“We do not believe that leaders who conduct themselves in the way Mr Trump does are in a position to offer authoritative commentary on the life and work of Madiba.”
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The foundation says Trump needs to self-introspect instead.
“With this latest comment we were struggling whether we should respond or not because in most instances what has happened in Mr Trump’s world is that you respond to one issue and he’s moved on to create another fake story or make another ridiculous statements.
Hatang further slammed Trump as being divisive.
“We have difficulties that we’re dealing with in our country at the moment and racism being one of those big ones and as a result we are then having to weigh out if these comments are worthy of our time.
“Unfortunately some of these comments then distract us from doing real work, work that’s about focusing on the needs of the poor and the vulnerable and I’m hoping that we won’t lose sight of the goal which is to build a more equal society,” he adds.
This is also not the first time Trump has come under fire for comments made about South Africa.
I really like Nelson Mandela but South Africa is a crime ridden mess that is just waiting to explode-not a good situation for the people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2013
As I have long been saying, South Africa is a total - and very dangerous - mess. Just watch the evening news (when not talking weather).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2015
Listen to Hatang below:
