South Africa's president Jacob Zuma, has lashed out at British attitudes to "barbaric" Africans as he begins a state visit in London.
The remarks came after scathing British media coverage of the polygamous president and his chequered past, including the recent scandal of his 20th child, born out of wedlock.A Daily Mail article described him as a "sex-obsessed bogot" and "vile buffoon"
Zuma, due to meet the Queen and Gordon Brown today, countered with an attack on what he described as culturally superior views reminiscent of the British empire in South Africa.
"When the British came to our country, they said everything we are doing was barbaric, was wrong, inferior in whatever way," he told South Africa's Star newspaper.
"Bear in mind that I'm a freedom fighter and I fought to free myself, also for my culture to be respected. And I don't know why they are continuing thinking that their culture is more superior than others, those who might have said so.
"I am very clear on these issues, I've not looked down upon any culture of anyone, and no one has been given an authority to judge others.
"The British have done that before, as they colonised us, and they continue to do this, and it's an unfortunate thing. If people want an engagement, I'm sure we will engage on that issue."
Zuma's statement was condemned by South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, as insulting to his hosts.
Kenneth Mubu, the party's shadow international relations minister, said: "The treatment of President Jacob Zuma at the hands of a certain portion of the British press – most notably the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror – does not excuse his quite extraordinary attack on Britain and the British people."
He added: "Instead of rising above predictable criticism from a particular quarter of the British press, he has allowed himself to be dragged down to the level of the tabloids.
"By accusing the British people of believing that Africans are barbaric and inferior, he has insulted his hosts, and no doubt undermined the entire purpose of the state visit – which is to strengthen relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom."
Zuma was backed, however, by the youth wing of his party, the African National Congress. It issued a statement saying it was disgusted by the British reports.
"British media seem to have developed a habit of rubbishing our president and constantly portray him as barbaric and of inferior belonging," the youth league said. "It is quite apparent that the British media is the one that is characterised and defined by the worst form of barbarism, backwardness and racism.
These elections are an important milestone in the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the long-running north-south civil war in Sudan
