‘I don’t want to see a white face,’ says Mugabe in Soweto

SOUTH AFRICA – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said “I don’t want to see a white face” at a brief appearance at the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto on Thursday. The visit concluded his two-day state visit of South Africa.

13-year-old Pietersen was killed by apartheid police during the South African student uprising on 16 June 1976.

A photograph by Sam Nzima of the dying Pieterson being carried by a fellow student as his sister ran beside them became world-famous.

Pietersen’s sister is currently a tour guide at the Hector Pietersen Memorial.

Exiting the museum, Mugabe was cheered by locals and, as he walked past, a television journalist asked what emotions his visit to Soweto evoked.

When Mugabe saw a white person behind her, he pushed the microphone away and reportedly said: “I don’t want to see a white face.”

He was welcomed by Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Communications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele.

A small group of people that lined Khumalo Street had cheered as the 91-year-old statesman made his arrival.

He spent an hour in the museum. News24