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(NEWZIMBABWE) Brits have superiority complex: Zuma

Brits have superiority complex: Zuma
by
03/03/2010 00:00:00

SOUTH Africa's visiting President Jacob Zuma hit back at Britain's media on Wednesday, saying disparaging commentary on his polygamous private life reflected an inbuilt superiority complex.

Zuma, who is paying a state visit to London, has been greeted by headlines in Britain's famously spiky press labelling him a "buffoon" and focusing on the husband-of-three's domestic arrangements.

In an interview with the Johannesburg-based Star newspaper, Zuma said that the coverage was disrepectful of his Zulu culture and echoed the views of South Africa's former colonial masters.

"When the British came to our country they said everything we are doing was barbaric, was wrong, inferior in whatever way... I don't know why they are continuing thinking that their culture is more superior than others," he said.

Zuma, South Africa's third black president, said that the now ruling African National Congress (ANC) had fought against the former apartheid regime so that the indigenous population of his homeland would be respected

"Bear in mind that I am a freedom fighter and I fought to free myself, also for my culture to be respected," he said. "I've not looked down upon upon any culture of anyone... and no one has been given an authority to judge others."

Much of the coverage of Zuma's visit has focused on his colourful private life.

Zuma married his latest wife in January, shortly before it emerged that he had fathered a lovechild with the daughter of a family friend.

An opinion piece in the right-wing Daily Mail said "Jacob Zuma is a sex-obsessed bigot... So why is Britain fawning over this buffoon?"

The Daily Telegraph said that "for all the colourful characters who have visited the Palace during her 58 years on the throne, the South African president is possibly the first guest to be a polygamist".

The ruling African National Congress youth wing, in a statement, called the reports on Zuma "the worst form of barbarism, backwardness and racism".

The president is expected to meet Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minster Gordon Brown later on Wednesday in a reception at Buckingham Palace. - AFP

Labels: JACOB ZUMA, UK

posted by MrK @ 7:32 PM