The grandson of iconic South African leader Nelson Mandela hailed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s anti-imperialist stance during a visit to Yeni Şafak on Tuesday.
In an interview at Yeni Şafak daily’s headquarters in Istanbul on the periphery of his visit to Turkey, Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela praised Turkish-South African ties, noting that South Africans are “happy to maintain cultural and economic relations” between the two countries.
“Historically we’ve always had good relations between Turkey and South Africa, and the post-apartheid democratic government has always ensured to strengthen the relationship between South Africa and Turkey,” said Mandela.
Mandela likened Erdoğan’s demeanor to that of his grandfather, pointing out the similarity between how both leaders refuse to let any head of state “talk down to them.”
“President Erdoğan embodies the same principals and the ideals that my grandfather did, he cares for poor people, and he cares sincerely for the grassroots people. He’s been a champion for peace, justice and human rights,” continued Mandela.
Mandela also praised Turkey’s “open” approach to Africa, noting that President Erdoğan comes to Africa “with the concept and mindset of an equal,” as opposed to the colonial mentality adopted by other states.
“His excellency President Erdoğan has been instrumental not only to South Africa, but to African development, he’s come to Africa predominantly on humanitarian grounds,” said Mandela.
“Turkey is by far one of the biggest contributors to aid in Africa, When we look to Turkey as Africa, we see a friend, a brother, someone we can rely on, who has come to assist us,” concluded Mandela.
He also remarked on Turkish investment in South Africa, pointing that a number of Turkish investors and companies come to South Africa, such as MÜSİAD and several other Turkish entities in the country.
