Zille quotes Africans extolling colonialism — and it doesn’t go down well
During an ANC-called debate, Helen Zille cites Nelson Mandela describing the ‘positive’ parts of colonialism, amid heckles and jeers — and calls for her to resign
Battered and bruised Western Cape premier Helen Zille remained unrepentant on Tuesday and appeared to continue to justify her controversial tweets about colonialism. Zille sparked anger earlier in March with her tweeted comments, including this one: "For those claiming legacy of colonialism was ONLY negative‚ think of our independent judiciary‚ transport infrastructure‚ piped water etc." During a highly charged debate about her tweets, which was called by the ANC in the provincial legislature on Tuesday, Zille offered an apology to anyone who genuinely thought she was "praising, defending or justifying colonialism". "I apologised unreservedly and stressed that this was not so. I do so again," she said. However, Zille went on to refer to various leaders, including Nelson Mandela, and authors who have previously highlighted some of the "positive" aspects of colonialism. "I have written before about how our own former president Nelson Mandela repeatedly discussed this issue. Today I qu...
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