Soccer fans hit back at Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla over his comments about Western Sahara. Images via Flickr and Facebook/Orania.
‘Little Mandela’: Roja Casablanca fans clap back at Mandla
Mandla Mandela called for people to fight for Western Sahara to be free from Morocco’s rule. Raja Casablanca fans reminded him of Orania.
Soccer fans hit back at Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla over his comments about Western Sahara. Images via Flickr and Facebook/Orania.
Raja Casablanca fans didn’t hold back when they reminded former President Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla about Orania following his statement about Western Sahara.
At the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) opening ceremony, Mandla spoke about the need for Western Sahara, which Morocco occupies, to be free.
MANDLA MANDELA VS RAJA CASABLANCA FANS
On 13 January, Mandela was a guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the under-17 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) held in Algeria. He addressed soccer fans at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers ahead of Algeria’s match against Libya.
“Let us not forget the last colony of Africa, Western Sahara. Let us fight to free Western Sahara from oppression,” he said.
This statement did not sit well with some of the fans who carried a banner written “Little Mandle the only remaining colony in Africa is Orania.”
It has been reported that Morocco controls approximately 80% of Western Sahara and has pushed for its authority over the territory to be officially recognised.
The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, controls the remaining 20% as the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SARD). The African Union recognises the SARD as a full member.
WHAT’S THE FUSS ABOUT ORANIA?
Orania is an enclosed town in the Northern Cape province where only Afrikaners live, and it has its currency even though the Rand is the official currency of South Africa.
Orania was founded in 1991 by Carel Boshoff Snr, an Afrikaner intellectual and son-in-law of apartheid architect Hendrik Verwoerd.
The controversial town, which has schools, shops, salons, and other amenities, has been giving many politicians sleepless nights, with some vowing to have its status reviewed or closed down.
In 2021, the number of people living in Orania spiked by 16.5%. Since 2018, the amount of residents has skyrocketed by over 55%. The total population is now nearing 2 500 for the first time – and there are plans to go further.
As per the town’s CEO, Orania is now gearing up to house over 10 000 people. This would be nothing short of an explosive growth in local citizens, but construction teams, town planners, and civil society are all taking the necessary steps to become a ‘five-figure population’.
ALSO READ: ‘Orania must NOT be tolerated’: Panyaza Lesufi calls for town closure
