AfriForum: "President's undertaking to protect minorities remains empty words as long as he distorts history"

Civil rights organization AfriForum responded to President Jacob Zuma's undertaking that the ANC will protect minorities in South Africa, by stating that it will amount to empty words as long as the President keeps on distorting historical facts to suit his ideological agenda.

According to Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, the President's reiteration of his claim that all problems started with Van Riebeeck's arrival, is so far removed from historical fact that it may be regarded as ridiculous.  Wars took place long before the arrival of Europeans at the southern tip of Africa, as did social problems that have been part of the human condition through all ages, all over the world.

"The President is now singling out Afrikaners as scapegoats and is representing his misleading version of events, based on ideology and not historical facts, as a true account of the past," she said.

The President alleged that war, the loss of power and land are all results of European colonialism in South Africa.  He neither mentioned the losses of the Khoisan after the arrival of black people in Southern Africa, nor did he refer to Mzilikazi's reign of terror that caused the cruel death of thousands of people in the interior, to mention but a few examples to the contrary.

"Regarding the positive contribution made since the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck, the President keeps quiet.  As long as this remains the case, his words will be divisive and devoid of meaning, stripped of recognition and respect for Afrikaners," Bailey added.

Statement issued by Alana Bailey, AfriForum Deputy CEO, February 19 2015

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