Nelson Mandela Foundation denies wanting to meet with Zindzi following ‘land thieves’ tweets
But Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina says she has every right to voice her opinion on the issue of land.
Zindzi Mandela. Picture: Twitter.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation has distanced itself from reports that it was seeking to meet with South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark Zindzi Mandela following tweets on land.
City Press reported that the Nelson Mandela Foundation was seeking a meeting with Mandela to discuss the tweets.
Luzuko Koti, the communications director at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, was quoted as saying: “We will comment after we have discussed the issue with her.”
However, following an outcry on social media, the foundation says it was misquoted.
“The Foundation would like to indicate that when we declined to comment on the story it was precisely because we had no insight into the story, or what had motivated the tweets from Ms Mandela, if indeed they were from her.
“The Foundation wishes to stress that it has no intention of requesting a meeting with Ms Mandela regarding the tweets,” said the foundation in a statement.
A series of tweets from an unverified Twitter account that appears to be that of Zindzi caused a social media storm after addressing “apartheid apologists”.
“Dear Apartheid Apologists, your time is over. You will not rule again. We do not fear you. Finally #TheLandIsOurs,” she said.
She also addressed “trembling white cowards” and “thieving rapist descendants of Van Riebeck [sic]” and said she was wondering how the “world of shivering land thieves” was doing.
Her tweets divided social media users, including politicians, who said her tweets were dividing the nation, a message that was contrary to her father’s teachings.
But ‘Zindzi’ said she was not accountable to anyone for her views.
“I am not accountable to any white man or woman for my personal views. No missus or baas here. Get over yourselves #OurLand,” she said.
Her supporters, including Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina, have since taken to social media to rally behind her, while some criticised the foundation before it was known that they had not in fact called for a meeting. .
Masina said her call for land was in line with the ANC resolution and represented the views of the “majority”.
“If Zindzi Mandela could address us in the 80s on behalf of her father at the height of Apartheid, what will be difficult in 2019 for her to air her views on the land question which by the way we have resolve on as ANC. Land belongs to us, nothing more can be closer to the truth – Mzwandile
“We want our land my sister no worries ant few privileges individuals who feels they have arrived. Your call is in line with ANC resolution and represent views of the majority. Sithulile nje sibukele on those undermining our resolve,” he said.
Minority rights lobby group AfriForum has since released a statement calling on Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor to dismiss Zindzi Mandela.
UPDATE: A previous version of this article reported that the Nelson Mandela Foundation had requested a meeting with Mandela. It has been updated to reflect that the foundation has “no intention” of requesting a meeting. 13:35, June 19.
