BY GREG ROSENBERG
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation
of Islam, visited South Africa in late January as part of a
tour of Africa and the Middle East.
Farrakhan had a 30-minute meeting January 28 with South African president Nelson Mandela, who is also president of the African National Congress. At a press conference following the meeting, Mandela explained that he had "briefed" Farrakhan at length on central positions held by the ANC - nonracialism, nonsexism, and freedom to practice all religions.
"In the 1950s, one of the principles we established was nonracialism," Mandela said. "We have defended that policy without fear, and have now triumphed and are building a nonracial society in this country.
"Our basic objectives are to address the demands of the black majority, which have been disadvantaged...but in carrying out this mandate, we will make sure we do not do anything which could be seen as reverse racism." Chicago Tribune staff reporter Liz Sly wrote that Mandela's remarks "came across as a lecture."
The South African president's decision to meet with Farrakhan drew sharp criticism from Jewish organizations in South Africa and rightist outfits such as the Afrikaner Resistance Movement.
Mandela said he hadn't hesitated to meet with the Nation of Islam leader. "In the course of my career I have accommodated a wide range of views," the ANC president said. "I have seen not only the people with whom I agree but also with people whose views are diametrically opposed to mine. I saw no reason to make an exception here."
The ANC Department of Information and Publicity released a statement a week prior to Farrakhan's visit, in which it said the trip "must be viewed in the context of the readmission of South Africa into the international community of nations.... South Africa is now a democracy, with constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights like freedom of speech, movement and association."
"Nonetheless, the ANC expresses its hope that Louis Farrakhan's visit and exchange of views with various leaders our country will help him understand why the majority of our people, previously oppressed and exploited, are so passionately opposed to religious intolerance and the oppression of women," the statement said.
"In this regard, the history of our struggle against apartheid has taught our people the imperatives of all of us to set the tone and to promote religious tolerance and the rejection of any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex or belief."
During this trip Farrakhan felt obliged to modify somewhat his usual oratory. At a press conference, Farrakhan claimed that "the equality of women is something that we in the Nation of Islam agree with and will work toward."
The Nation of Islam leader also held a closed door meeting with Winnie Mandela and met KwaZulu-Natal premier Frank Mdlalose, a member of the Inkatha Freedom Party headed by Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
While his visit and the controversy surrounding it stirred up much interest, Farrakhan didn't draw much public support. His trip was organized by the Pan-Africanist Congress, whose views are rejected by the overwhelming majority of South Africans.