The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has condemned American President, Mr Donald Trump, over the disparaging remarks he made about African leaders, including anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela.
Reports at the weekend disclosed that Michael Cohen, US Trump’s former personal lawyer, in a new book alleged that the American president even used a foul language against Mandela after his death in 2013.
Trump allegedly said, “Mandela f—ed the whole country up. Now it’s a s—hole. F— Mandela. He was no leader”, before adding “tell me one country run by a black person that isn’t a s—hole. They are all complete f—ing toilets.”
The EFF, in a statement on Tuesday, said all freedom-loving people of the world are appalled by these insults which come from a person who,is in no position to talk about or model competent leadership.
The party added that Trump is the most divisive, misogynistic and disrespectful person ever to occupy the office of the President.
“The icon of our struggle, President Nelson Mandela stands in stark contrast to Trump. A unifying and principled leader, President Mandela reached out to the world and sought to bring peace and a just society. President Mandela also believed in good trade and sound diplomatic relations.
“He forged a strong friendship with President Bill Clinton, interacted with political leaders across the political spectrum and never let go of his principles for pragmatic short term goals,” the ANC said in a statement.
According to the ANC, Mandela would have offered Trump some leadership lesson if he were still alive.
Mandela is an international icon, a revered freedom fighter and a great leader who will be remembered and celebrated for centuries to come.
The ANC is confident that President Mandela would have reached out to Donald Trump to teach him to understand the complex challenges of the developing world and shown him the wisdom to lift the blockade against Cuba.
He would have invited him to visit Gaza to appreciate the pain of the Palestinian people and advised him to work with the international community to help find a lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East.
President Mandela understood the value of international friendship amongst the countries of the world. The mark of a true leader is not how many enemies you create but how many friendships you cultivate even where strong differences of opinion exist.